Page 49 of The Devil's Redemption

I look down at my hands as I think about how much I should tell her. I don’t want to upset her with any of it, but I also know that she can handle it. Placing my hands on the table, I recount everything I remember, though not quite in such vivid detail. I stop briefly when Whitney brings out my water and crackers and refills Ellie’s coffee.

I explain to her about sending Blade away. RiffRaff and Rooster showing up. Waking up in that house. Finding out about Michael. She really cried at that part. She knew how awful Michael could be to me, but she never in a million years would have thought he’d do what he did.

I gloss over what happened between leaving the room and waking up in the cellar. The mere mention of more people was enough to turn her green around the gills.

“So now I’m restricted to the mildest of pain killers. I don’t think Hawk would even allow me a glass of wine right now. Although it’s worth a shot to ask,” I add with a laugh.

I could so go for a glass of wine right now.

“Sasha, hearing your laugh is so refreshing. You’re such a strong woman. So many people would have been crushed beyond repair after going through what you went through. But in typical Sasha fashion, you’ve picked yourself up—again—and are owning your recovery.”

I hate when she does this. She makes a big deal out of my accomplishments all the time, just like the mother figure she’s always been. But I hate people fawning over me.

“I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you, Ellie. That really means a lot, you know that.”

Just then, Toni approaches our table.

“Hey, Sasha. How are you feeling?” she inquires.

“I’m doing all right. Thank you,” I nod.

“That’s great! Hopefully you’ll be back here in no time, then.”

“Yes,” Ellie interrupts. “Toni has been doing a good job as acting assistant manager in your absence. But your job is waiting for you when you return.”

“Thank you both. It’s going to be at least another two weeks until I’m cleared to work. And, um, when I do come back, I’m not certain I’ll be ready for that amount of responsibility right off the bat. So Toni should hang onto it a bit longer. If that’s okay?” I look back and forth between the two of them.

“Of course it is,” Ellie speaks first. “You take all the time you need.”

Chapter Nineteen

Blade was backwithin two hours from the time he dropped me off. I noticed some paint on his pants when he came into the diner. I asked him what he had been up to, but he told me it was a surprise. I think I have an idea of the errand he and Cap had to run, but I dropped it, not wanting to ruin it.

“So when will I get to see this surprise?” I ask as we walk to his truck, Kid trailing behind us.

“I’m not sure just yet. But I hope it won’t be long.”

“Me too,” I respond.

“Did you enjoy your timeat work.”

“Ha,” I scoff. “That wasn’t meworking.”

He smiles down at me, and I return it as he wraps me in his arms and presses me up against the side of his truck.

“You know, I’ve never been to your work,” I state. “Will you take me there?”

“You want to go to a dirty, old garage?”

“Yeah,” I shrug. “I feel like you know everything there is to know about me, but there are still pieces of you that are missing.”

He leans in and places his smooth lips over mine. He’s not going to be able to distract me from wanting to go see his garage, but I’ll take the kiss anyway.

“If you really want to spend the afternoon at a boring garage and have no fun, then fine. I’ll take you.”

I like this new Blade. He doesn’t make me want to argue with him at all. I hope that doesn’t change once I’m fully healed and things return to normal—well… Whatever new normal we’ll fall into.

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