Page 158 of Shadow

Asylum disappeared from the screen, leaving me with my little slice of heaven.

“I love you, baby,” I said, smiling at her. “I’m going to go tell the guys. I can’t wait until you’re here with us again.”

She bit her bottom lip and held her fingers together like a heart before disconnecting the call.

I sat with myself for a few minutes before getting to my feet, excited beyond anything that our family was coming home.

* * *

“Where is she?”Church paced the living room. “She’s late.”

“She’s not late. She said this evening.” Stitches stretched out on the couch and took a hit from his joint and blew out the smoke.

“And it’s this evening,” Church shot back, going to him and taking the joint. He inhaled his hit deeply before blowing out the excess.

“She’s fine,” Cady said, snacking on apple slices. “They probably stopped at the vending machines or something.”

Sin said nothing, opting to sit quietly at the end of the couch.

Footsteps on the front patio sounded out. Sin snapped to his feet and stood at the edge of the couch, his jaw tight like he was chewing the words he didn’t trust himself to say aloud. His hands curled into fists on the back of the couch. He didn’t blink.

I glanced at Stitches, who sat up, and at Church, who paused his pacing for a moment before he went to the door and pulled it open.

He dragged Sirena into the house, kissing her as he brought her into the warmth.

He didn’t have her for a moment before Sin pushed him aside and took her from him. He hauled her against his body and held her tightly, whispering things to her none of us could hear.

And that was it. He lifted her and hauled her straight to his bedroom without another word, leaving the rest of us to stand in stunned silence.

“Well, what a welcome home,” Asylum said brightly. “Who’s taking me to their bedroom? Stitches?”

Stitches laughed. “Not a fucking chance, man.”

“Too bad. I bet you’re fun in the sack.” Asylum whistled, stepped deeper into the room, dropped Sirena’s bags on the floor, and removed his boots.

I smirked at Stitches, who shook his head. I turned to Shadow, standing awkwardly at the door with his bag in his hand.

“Welcome, man,” I said, holding my hand out.

He took it, and I pulled him in for a hug.

“Thanks,” he said, offering me a nervous smile.

“Leave your bag there. Come and sit.” I gestured for him to sit on the couch. I went into the kitchen, grabbed drinks for everyone, and returned, handing them out.

“How was last night?” Stitches asked as Shadow took a drink from his water.

“Oh, uh, it was really good.”

I glanced around at everyone.

“Just really good?” That didn’t seem right. Sirena was a bombshell in the sack.

Shadow’s cheeks reddened, and his leg bounced.

“Don’t hold back,” Church said. “We want to know. We know you fucked her finally. Tell us.”

“OK, well, I’m going to go upstairs.” Cady stood, taking her apple slices with her. “Tell Rina I’ll talk to her after you guys critique this new weirdo.”

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