Page 12 of Judgment Day

“And is this turkey bacon? Are these friend breadsticks?”

“Yes. Turkey bacon for Skye and fried breadsticks for Arson.”

“You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to cater to everyone.”

“I want to help out any way I can. This is the least I can do while the rest of you strategize and risk your life for my friend.” Rain blinked back tears before clearing her throat.

“We have a saying in my agency,” Exa told her. “We say, don’t shed tears for a sister until you know the outcome. Instead, be strong for her. Send her strength through the connection of our sisterhood. I know that may sound like a bunch of mumbo jumbo. But there have been times when I’ve felt like giving up. When I didn’t see a way out of a bad situation. Times when I felt like death was imminent. Instead of giving up, I thought of my sisters because I knew they were thinking of me too.”

Rain wiped her eyes.

“I knew they weren’t crying. I knew they were staying strong for me. I didn’t have to see them to gain strength from them. You told me that Letisha discovered Dean’s connection to the mafia. And that she knew about Nik and the dispatches he worked.”

Rain nodded. “She knows everything. I thought she would stop being my friend when she found out. I for sure thought she’d stop letting James come over. She didn’t.” Rain chuckled. “She even told me she felt safer knowing her bestie was married to the mob.”

“She sounds like a woman who adapts to any situation she’s placed in. She knows your husband and his team are coming for her. She knows you’re here, waiting for her to return. Be strong for her. Just like I’m sure she’s forcing herself to be strong for her son.”

Rain nodded. “All her life, she’s forced herself to be strong for her son. She’s never had a day off from life. A day to just truly enjoy herself. I know this sounds crazy, but I hope one day she’ll get to rest. I don’t want her tohaveto be strong all of the time. I want her to be happy and carefree.”

“After we get her back and she takes the time she needs to process this experience, how about we go on a girls’ trip?”

“A girls’ trip sounds great.”

From his position on the wall, Scar raised his hand. “Can I come?”

“Of course,” Exa called out. “Are you willing to wear a wig and high heels and be one of the girls?”

“Never mind.”

Rain chuckled and handed Exa a chocolate chip muffin. “You guys should get going. They’ll be looking for you soon. Here.” Rain handed her a couple more muffins. “For you and Scar.”’

“Thanks. What will you be doing while we’re in the meeting?”

Rain shrugged and stared around the room. “I don’t know. I’ve dirtied a lot of dishes. I guess I’ll start cleaning up the kitchen.”

“No, you won’t,” Oni called out.

Scar looked to the side to find Oni entering the room with a kid on each hip and Timmy, scratch that,Lathan, following behind her. Rain reached for Ya-Ya, taking her off Oni’s hands. Lathan’s eyes widened when he saw all of the treats. He rushed forward.

“Hands!” Scar called out.

Lathan froze and turned around. When he saw Scar against the wall, his smile grew even brighter. Then kid raced over and wrapped his arms around Scar’s waist.

“Good morning, Ben. I mean, Scar.”

Scar patted the kid’s head.

“Ahh. Look at him,” Rain whispered loudly. “He’s going to make a great dad one day.”

Still patting Timmy’s head, Scar looked to Exa, gauging her reaction. Her smile made him smile.

“Before we can think about that,” Exa told Rain. “He needs to first get my superior’s permission to be with me. Until then, he can’t even be my boyfriend.”

That wiped the grin off his face. “I don’t want to be your boyfriend,” Scar told her. “I’m no boy. I’m your man.”

Oni and Rain both uttered, “Oooh,” in unison.

Even Lathan turned around to see what Exa’s response would be.

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