Page 65 of Taken By the Alpha Priest

Now it’s Peaches’ turn to scoff. “Tilda, really? You act like you’re ancient, but you’re a damn spring chicken. You’ve still got plenty of time ahead of you.”

I raise an eyebrow at her, the corner of my mouth twitching. “It’s not the years, Peaches—it’s the mileage.”

“Oh, I see,” she says, grinning. “World-weary and wise beyond your years, huh?”

I roll my eyes, but her teasing makes me smile. “Something like that. Look, I’ve been through a lot, okay? And…there wasn’t ever time for anything beyond sex. I was always taking care of my sister.”

Peaches’ face falls at the mention of my sister, and she meets my eyes. “Tilda?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re staying, right?”

It only occurs to me then why she’s asking–because ofEnid. My sister, who’s still back at Homestead, while I’m here getting my mind blown by a hot priest.

“I think I am, if you all will have me,” I say. “And…well, I’m going to try to get Enid to come and live here with us. I think you’d really like her.”

Peaches’ face lights up with a smile, her usual brightness returning in full force. “Of course we’ll have you. And your sister too. I mean, if she’s anything like you—well, maybe a little less crabby—she’ll fit right in.”

I laugh despite myself, shaking my head. “She’s not crabby at all. She’s sweet, actually. Quiet. Smart as hell. Enid’s the kind of person who sees the good in everything, even when there isn’t much to find.”

“She sounds lovely,” Peaches says, her voice warm. “I’m sure she’ll be safer here than out there, anyway. She doesn’t have a family?”

My face falls, the weight of the question sinking into me. “Well…she has David. Her boyfriend.” I pause, my voice tightening. “The kid who shot me in the gut.”

Peaches freezes, her eyes going wide as saucers. “Oh…oh no?—”

“It was an accident,” I say quickly, cutting her off before she can spiral. “At least, I think it was. But I’m sure he thinks I’m dead. And knowing him, I can’t imagine he told her how it happened.”

Peaches lets out a low whistle, leaning back against the rock behind her. “Okay, so…you’re telling me that your sister’s boyfriend is the one who put a bullet in you?”

I nod, running a hand through my wet hair. “Yup. And I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. He wasn’t trying to kill me—I know that much. But he panicked, and the gun went off, and…here we are.”

Peaches shakes her head, her expression a mix of disbelief and sympathy. “He doesn’t sound like a very good guy, Tilda.”

I laugh bitterly, the sound hollow. “You know, I’ve been asking myself that same question since it happened. I mean, he’s been there for her since the Convergence. Took care of her when I couldn’t. But now…”

“Now you’re not so sure,” she finishes for me.

I sigh, leaning back into the water, letting it buoy me for a moment. “Yeah. I’m not sure if he’s the kind of person who’s good for her, or if she’s just clinging to him because he’s all she’s had for the past fifteen years.”

Peaches watches me quietly for a moment, then speaks, her voice softer. “What do you think she’d say about him, if you asked her?”

I blink, caught off guard by the question. “I…don’t know. She’s always been good at seeing the best in people. She probably thinks he’s a saint. And maybe he is, in his own way. But after what happened…” My voice trails off as I stare at the rippling water. “I can’t trust him. Not with her. Not after that.”

Peaches reaches out, placing a hand on my arm. “Tilda, you’ve been through hell for your sister. You’ve fought for her, protected her, done everything you could to keep her safe. And now you’ve got a chance to bring her somewhere she can really be safe. You’ve just gotta focus on that. On what’s best for her.”

I nod slowly, Peaches’ words settling over me like a blanket. She’s right. Whatever complicated feelings I have about David, they don’t matter as much as getting Enid out of Homestead and into a place where she can thrive.

“She’s lucky to have you,” Peaches adds, her voice lightening. “Even if you are a bit of a grump sometimes.”

I smirk, splashing a little water in her direction. “Careful, or I might rethink staying here.”

“Like Reyes would let you leave now,” she says, grinning. “Face it—you’re stuck with us.”

And as much as I want to deny it, I can’t help but feel a flicker of warmth at the thought. Maybe being stuck here wouldn’t be so bad after all.

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