Page 136 of Rugger: The Huntress

“We’ve missed you, too, Rugs,” Rome claimed.

With a smile on her face, she bowed toward her youngest sibling.

“Thank you, baby.”

“You know I’ve got you—always.”

She took her seat, finally. I pushed her chair up to meet the table. The chatter began almost immediately. However, Gazelle wasn’t a part of it. Her words were lodged in her throat, and so was her heart.

I placed a hand on her thigh underneath the table. She relaxed against my palm. The relief was visible on her pretty face. The light makeup she’d patted into her skin enhanced her beauty, maturing her slightly. She was breathtaking.

I leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Everything is well, baby. You can rest now.”

She turned toward me with a weakened smile tugging at her lips. A nod confirmed her satisfaction with my declaration.

I love you, she mouthed.

I love you.

My heart was full. So was my belly. It had been two hours of constant laughter and conversation, gluing me to my seat. Another two hours could pass and I wouldn’t be ready to part with the group before me.

It had only ever been my mother, my father, and I. For his career, they’d uprooted from their city nine hundred miles away to settle in Clarke. I didn’t know the rest of my family and had never gotten the chance to spend much time with any of them.

Knowing that Rugger had experienced such a tight-knit community her entire life had me slightly jealous. She had been blessed. And, so had I, because I was already claiming them all as my own family, now.

The ring had been designed and was being created as we dined. The time was coming. But, I didn’t need an officiant or an audience as evidence that I was a part of the tribe. They’ve accepted me already. And, just like Chemistry and Rather’s husband Priest, who was directly across the table from us, I’d protect them with my life.

The head tilt from the top of the table summoned me to my feet. I bent down to kiss Rugger’s forehead.

“I’ll be back.”

Because she’d reached the peak of her comfort, Rugger barely spared a second of her attention to acknowledge my departure. Priest’s eyes met mine as his head shook from one side to the other. His wife paid him no mind either. Egypt, on the other hand, pulled her husband in for a kiss before he pulled away.

We followed Chemistry out of the sliding glass door and into the back of the home where the ocean’s water met with the shore. Crashing waves reminded me of the sounds Rugger played when sleep wouldn’t find her.

It made sense. This was her comfort zone. Her life was here. Her family was here. Her entire world was gathered at the table tonight. Everybody that meant anything to her… and the water served as their soundtrack.

“Here.”

Chemistry handed me one of the three cigars he’d clipped the butts of. He put fire to the end that had been clipped. I puffed three times, pulling the smoke into my mouth before exhaling.

Three minutes passed before he finally spoke.

“She’s special,” he told me, staring out into the openness of the night.

“She is.”

“They’re all special but she isspecial.”

He wasn’t finished. Instead of interrupting, I continued listening.

“This wasn’t in her plans. Love was never part of her set up. She considered it an unnecessary distraction and moved accordingly. Avoiding it so she can stay sharp. Valid. Focused. Prepared. Vigilant. This wasn’t in her plans.”

“Mine either.”

“But, now that the plan has changed, I need to know your intentions with her. Because, she’s in love with you. I’m not. She’s blinded by her feelings. I can see straight through any bullshit coming her way.”

The sound of the magazine being shoved into a gun a few feet away was no surprise. Priest was prepared for whatever Chemistry was prepared to do. So was I.

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