Page 9 of Following Their Heart

Fucking fantastic. I have to wait another night to be in her bed again. If she even chooses me tomorrow night. Just because she’s sticking to the same order as last week doesn’t mean she’ll pick me third again.

A grinding sound fills my ears.

“Easy, big fella,” Rev says. “There ain’t no dentist on this mountain if you crack a molar.”

Rev’s right. I could grind glass into sand between my teeth right now. Jesus, what this woman does to me! I stretch my jaw from side to side to relax the muscles. I need to tear my gaze from Cora, but I can’t.

“Choosing someone else isn’t the same as rejecting you.” Usually, when Rev speaks, I try to be receptive. He’s my second in command. I trust him. He’s solid. All my guys are. I know, because I’ve seen into each of their hearts. But right now, I don’t need a sermon.

“Fuck off,” I say, but there’s no heat in it, because I know he’s only looking out for me. “Anything else you need to tell me about today’s work?” I bring the conversation back to our preparations. “I’m hungry.”

He fixes those wild eyes of his on me, and I resist the urge to squirm. After a beat, he says, “One more thing. Not exactly about the day’s work, but it’s relevant. At least, I think it is.”

“I’m listening.”

Rev folds his arms. He’s watching Cora, too. “Our little girl had a dream last night that might mean something.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Really? She have some kind of Gift, after all?”

He shakes his head. “No. At least, not that I can tell. But I think the Working’s using her, nonetheless. I was with her this morning, in her bed—” His look is significant, and I get his meaning. He fooled around with her. My jaw is clenching again. “And I got a Knowing when she told me about her dream. It was strong. Real strong. It showed me what her dream meant, and it showed me that Cora—our heart—she’s gonna make all our Gifts stronger.”

My jealousy cools as I process that. “Stronger Gifts.” I scratch my chin through my beard. That’ll come in handy in the coming fight. “How?”

“The Knowing came to me stronger when we were naked together.” At my scowl, he holds up a hand. “Don’t get your panties in a twist. We didn’t fuck. We’re not there yet, and that’s just fine. My point is, I think when we open ourselves to her, and when she opens to us—you know, lets herself be vulnerable—I think that’s how.”

I frown. “Sounds like mystical shit.” I sound dismissive, even to my own ears, but the whole Working thing is Rev’s deal, not mine. My mission is to protect our territory and our people. After that, it’s to organize some kind of society. I’m not real big on tending to my soul or anyone else’s.

“Having Gifts is mystical shit,” he reminds me.

I shrug, acknowledging his point. “Alright. Stronger Gifts is good. Bring it on. That all you needed?” I’m eyeing those burgers. And Cora. Who says something to Shep and then has him follow her to Doc’s table. Grim has to scoot to the edge to leave a yard of space between him and Doc as Shep and Cora sit down. Cora wraps a hand around Doc’s armandShep’s arm, making it clear she’s taking not just one but two men to her cabin tonight.

“Fuck me.”

“Not tonight, Romeo,” Rev deadpans. “Cora’s dance card is full. Really full.”

I glare at him.

His comeback is a shit-eating grin. “One more thing, and I’ll let you cry in your bison burger.”

“Keep that up, you’ll be the one crying.”

He talks over me, ignoring the jibe. “The pelican has a role to play.”

That gets my attention. “The pelican?”

“Don’t know what role, yet, but Bernard was in Cora’s dream. So were Doc and Shep. That’s why I advised her to spend time with the two of them tonight. I think she’s supposed to do what the dream showed her.” He strokes his goatee. “I expect we’ll know more tomorrow,” he says mysteriously, and he stalks away to help himself to dinner.

I don’t taste my food as I shovel it in. I’m too busy wondering about Doc, Shep, Cora, and the damn bird. My conclusion, as I polish off my meal, is that the Working is fucking high.

Whatever. I got shit to do, and so do the others. “Meeting time,” I announce, and I take my place in front of the fireplace while the others clear their places and gather around.

Doc and Shep take the couch beneath the newly-installed window to my left. They leave an open spot between them for Cora, but she doesn’t sit down. Instead, she comes to me.

I tense all over, bracing myself for her to ask for more concessions, like the other day, when she came into my office, wanting my permission to spend her time as she chooses, with whomever she chooses.Looks like she’s putting that one to good use.Women are all the same. They suck your dick and get you to say what they want to hear. Then they turn around and fuck someone else.

I cross my arms over my chest as she enters my personal space. “What do you need?”

She pulls up short, like she was going to reach up for a hug, but at the last second decided not to.

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