Page 49 of Soul

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to add more stress!”

“You didn’t. It means a lot, but seriously, I’m aware of my limits. Yeah, I’m feeling the pressure, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I won’t allow myself to burn out. When it gets too much, I’ll let Warden know, but for now, my room and sanctuary are giving me what I need. Although I gotta admit, I can’t wait for my anchor to land,” Romeo said.

“Don’t let Warden near them!” I cautioned, and Romeo laughed.

“Yeah, we all learned from that. Everyone’s swearing to keep them away from Warden.”

“I’m so telling on Undertaker when he gets his. Just you wait. Payback’s a bitch,” I warned.

“Warden will grill his even harder because they’ve been friends since children,” Romeo replied.

“Yeah, I know, and I’m fuckin’ looking forward to it, brother!”

We high-fived and rode out. Rager wasn’t even a memory for us. Let the Bloody Scorpions wonder what happened to their man. We had a trap to set.

Chapter Ten.

Bryony

“Hey, I hope you don’t mind, but we got your number from Soul,” a woman said.

“Who is this?” I asked.

“Sorry, it’s Iona. We’re all going for a girl’s day out, and we were wondering if you’d like to come,” she replied.

“Oh, thank you, but I’m busy…”

“Or avoiding Warden? Warden won’t be here, and he’s fully aware he was an asshole,” Iona cut me off.

“She tried cutting his goodie time, but it backfired because she’s horny as fuck being pregnant. Makes me sick! All three of my kids I had morning sickness, and this bitch hasn’t even a hint of it!” Lindy complained.

“Stop calling me a bitch,” Iona moaned.

“Then puke your guts up,” Lindy snapped. “Give me that phone.”

I blinked as there appeared to be a struggle, and then Lindy’s voice came over the line.

“Iona, I shall slap your boney hiney. Now fuck off. Bryony. We’re aware of what you are to Soul, and we know Warden grilled you. We are all in agreement. He’s an asshole. Iona did try to stop the goodies, but failed. She’s a horny bitch at the moment. But Rosalea did make Warden’s favourite cake and then handed it out to everyone, apart from him. And I made Warden’s favourite meal and again didn’t save any for him. Warden knows we’re pissed at him.”

“Thanks, but I got the feeling I wasn’t welcome, and I won’t—”

“You’re welcome, and screw Warden. Now, how much do you like shopping?”

“Without the kids, a lot. With them, nope.”

“Well, they’re at school, so come meet us at Seeker’s diner. It’s called Munchies,” Lindy said. “See you in twenty minutes!”

“What just happened?” I asked as Lindy cut the call. Bemused, I rushed upstairs to change my lazy clothes and headed out.

???

Several hours later, my ribs and cheeks hurt from laughing so much. Lindy was a blast and very caustic, which she aimed at Rosalea, Lissy, and Iona. She did not bother holding back with me. While it was clear Iona was the head old lady or Queen Bee, she often deferred to Lindy. There was a story there I wasn’t privy to, but I didn’t ask, either.

We’d just left a shoe store where a small fortune had been spent when my phone rang.

“Mrs Teague. This is Mrs Knight from Hamilton’s school.”

“Yes?”

---