Page 45 of Rugger: The Huntress

“Well, that’s not an option right now so – to the store we’re going. And, it doesn’t matter howextensiveyour collection is, you could always use some new meat. Well, plastic in most cases,” Roulette stated as a matter of fact.

“I’m emailing the owner of the one I am familiar with, now. We’ll need it to ourselves for a while. How does seven sound?” Royce was already on her phone, possibly sending out emails she loved to mark urgent.

“Sounds good. The dress shop closes at five.”

“Everyone is ready,” Roaman informed us. “Rome is already downstairs waiting.”

One after the other, we filed out of Rather’s family room. Champagne flutes led the way out of the door for everyone but Rome and I. Though she was now old enough to drink, she chose not to. And, from the way I was feeling, something stronger was required.

We piled inside the black Mercedes Sprinter. I leaned forward as I walked the aisle of the van due to the height restrictions. When I reached the back, I took a seat and watched my sisters do the same.

Their presence was as painful as it was pleasurable. It was a reminder of how much I missed my mother. How much I missed my father. How much I missed Sunday dinners. How much I missed it all. Missed us all.

It was also a reminder that in addition to the last two hits, Hermen had also been snatched from me. Not solidifying his spot in hell made me sick to my stomach. Though I hadn’t consumed any alcohol, there was still a stirring of the contents in my belly.

Fucking repulsive.

“Are you okay?” Rather’s whisper was accompanied by a nudge.

While the rest of the girls were in active, overwhelming conversation, she heard the quietest of my thoughts.

“Yes.” I nodded.

“Rugger,” she said, cupping my chin and pulling my face in her direction. “It’s okay to not be okay. In this moment, you’re not. So, tell me what you’re feeling.”

“This isn’t a session, Rather.”

“But, I am forever a therapist. Your therapist, just as I am for the others. Unsolicited advice and all. So, tell me. What are you feeling?”

I tilted my head with a shrug. “Things.”

“Things. Be specific.”

“Disappointment, maybe. A bit of rage. Frustration, and I’m not talking sexually. In general.”

“You’re not off your game if that’s what you’re confusing this for. You’re not hunting saints, Rugger. They’re bad men who have pissed off plenty of people. You’re not the only one gunning for them.”

“And, Hermen?” I questioned, “It’s not that simple with his case.”

“He’s put many criminals away.”

“Timing, Rather. You and I both know it’s no coincidence.”

She grew quiet.

“Exactly.”

“Have you looked into it?”

“Teddy forbids it.”

“He doesn’t have to know.”

“He’ll know. He always knows.”

“Luckily, I’ve been assigned to a very special case.”

“Have you now?”

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