Page 95 of Red Queen (Red Thorns Crew 3)

John lifted his, too. “And to the happiness it brings.”

Rupert raised his glass bottle. “May families stick together for as long as they can.”

They all looked at me to finish, so I raised the entire bottle of wine in the air.

“And may our asses stay out of fucking jail.”

Max snorted. “Hear fucking hear.”

The rest of us exclaimed together, “Hear, hear!”

I screwed the top off the wine and took a few big gulps. I let the alcohol wash away all the what ifs and what happens nows. I let the wine fill my throat as the guys chugged back their beers. And all I let my mind think about was freedom. How we were all free from Ashton’s grasp. How Max was free from his intimidation tactics. How I was free from worrying that disgusting man would come back after me. We were free from him, we were free from Benji, and--for now, at least--we were free from worry.

And we were safe.

“You guys hungry?” Rupert asked. “Or did you eat on the way back from the motel?”

Max finished off his beer. “We picked up cheeseburgers from a drive-in place on the way back. But I wouldn't mind eating again. If you’re hungry.”

John pulled out his phone. “Dani was right, by the way. There’s a pizza place in town that’s open until three. Any specific toppings?”

Rupert piped up. “You know I’m good with anything except anchovies.”

I shook my head. “I still can’t believe people put that nasty shit on their pizza.”

“Right? It’s gross. Fishy tastes don’t belong on pizza.”

“Though I’d eat pickled halibut like it was my day job, if I had some.”

Rupert’s jaw dropped open. “You like that shit, too?”

Max rolled his eyes. “Oh, here we go.”

John butted in. “Three large meat supreme pizzas, one with all the vegetables, one with nothing else, and one with hot sauce. Anything else?”

I licked my lips. “What about something sweet for dessert?”

Max chuckled. ?

??I’ve already got dessert right here.”

He pulled me against his side and the guys lifted their beers in the air. As if to cheer the actions they knew would take place after we were done feasting.

I sighed. “Anyway, pickled halibut is awesome. If you’ve got a connection, I expect you to hook me up. You know, for saving your ass and all.”

Rupert chuckled. “We’re family. I’d hook you up anyway. I’ve actually got four jars in my fridge right now. I’ll give you one to hold you over. You put it on crackers?”

“I’d put that shit on anything. You should make a sandwich out of it sometime. A bit of pepperjack, some spicy mustard. Holy hell, that’s eating.”

Max shivered. “You guys are gross.”

I laughed. “More for me, then, I guess. Don’t worry, though. I’ll let you know when I’m munching on it so you don’t accidentally kiss me.”

John chuckled. “There’s no ‘accidentally’ doing anything around pickled halibut. You can smell that shit from a mile away.”

Rupert shook his head. “And it’s the best shit alive.”

Max wrinkled his nose. “Nope. I’m good. Thanks.”

---