Page 79 of Fanatic

Inglorious slung a casual arm around my shoulders. And I laughed as Chill was taken down by a determined woman who began bashing his head into the dirt.

“This is what life should be about,” I muttered.

“The allies earned this, Willow, paid with our blood. Even those who didn’t lose a person lost something else. And I’ll die to protect what we fought for,” Inglorious said softly.

“You ain’t alone.”

“Never was, I had to understand that. Same as you.”

“Hate it when you’re laying wisdom on me, Inglorious.”

“I know.” He chuckled. “Trust me, kid. I fuckin’ do!”

Fanatic

Fuck me. Why didn’t I just cut my balls off and hand them to my mum? That would make everything much easier.

“Mum. Enough. Please. Jesus, I’ll manage!” I finally snapped as she tried getting under my arm to carry me into the clubhouse.

“I’m your parent!”

“Yeah, and I can walk. Or you want my nuts in a handbag?” I shot back.

Mum stepped back, shoved me, and stalked in.

“Well done,” Dad hissed and chased after her.

“Finished pissing everyone off?” Willow asked, amused.

“Nah, you’re still here,” I replied.

Willow laughed. “For now. Of course, I can act insulted and stomp inside if you want?”

“Nah, you’re fine.”

“Just take it easy with Phoe. Don’t forget, she’s had a lot to deal with you kids. Harley’s attack, the explosion, Tye getting his head smashed in… and all the other shit. One of you gets hurt, Phoe’s going to panic, and I understand as a mother myself. What if it was Danny?”

Maybe I shouldn’t have said that, as it was probably overstepping the mark, but Fanatic nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll go easy. That’s a fair point. When Danny bangs himself, I want to take the pain away, so I get it.”

Wow, that was painless. “Give Phoe something to make her feel needed.”

Fanatic grinned, and I was suddenly suspicious. “I’ve got just the thing.”

“Wanna tell me?” I asked as I followed him in. What was he up to?

As we entered, there was a bang and a yell, and Chatter scowled as a shelf fell down and whacked him straight on the head.

“Jinx!” Chance roared. “Where’s that damn son of yours!?” he snapped.

“With his childminder,” I replied calmly as Jinx grinned unrepentantly.

“Call Gladys and tell her to bring that baby here right now! We need the Jinx neutraliser,” Chance demanded.

Jinx smirked and bit into an apple.

“Oh boy,” I muttered and turned to Fanatic.

“Babe, great news. Mum’s going to babysit Friday night so we can go on a date,” he informed me.

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