Page 47 of Wrath

“You got it.”

Mia followed me into the kitchen and said, “I really like what you’ve done with the place. It looks amazing.”

“Thanks.” I poured her a glass of tea and offered it to her. “It still needs some work, but it’s gettin’ closer.”

“I didn’t realize you were such a handyman.”

“I learned a lot from working with Guardrail. The rest was trial and error.” I grabbed the plate of steaks, then started for the back door. “I need to fire up the grill.”

“Mind if I come with?”

“Suit yourself.”

Mia smiled as she followed me outside and watched as I doused the coals with lighter fluid. I took a quick glance around and was relieved to see that Rosa was nowhere in sight. I hated that I even had to worry about it, but it would be resolved soon enough.

I fired up the grill, the flames eagerly devouring the charcoal. The flames flickered, casting a warm glow on the small patio, and it wasn’t long before it reached a scorching heat. I placed the steaks on the hot grates and immediately heard the satisfying sizzle as it made contact. I closed the lid, allowing the steak to sear on the first side, then asked Mia, “How do you like your steak?”

“Hmmm, medium-well to well-done.”

“So, you want it burnt?”

“No. I just don’t want it to moo at me.”

“Tomooat you?” I mocked. “You gotta be shittin’ me. Next, you’re gonna tell me you eat it with ketchup.”

“Not if you seasoned it right.”

“Oh, I seasoned it right. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“Well, if that’s true, and I do meanif... then I won’t be needing the ketchup.” She glanced down at the grill, then gave me one of her smiles, the ones that get me right in the gut. “Time to show me what you got, white boy.”

CHAPTER14

Mia

“You know, it’s funny.” I stood over to Wrath’s side, watching intently as he opened the lid and carefully flipped the steak one last time. “We basically grew up together, but there’s so much we don’t know about each other. Like I had no idea you cooked.”

“First of all, cooking and grilling are two different things. I can grill a mean steak, but I’m not making any promises on the rest of the meal.”

“I’m sure everything will be great.”

“We’ll see soon enough.” He took the steaks off the grill, then placed them on a clean plate and started back inside. “And as far as not knowing stuff about each other, you’re right. There’s a lot about you I don’t know. Hell, I had no idea you were working with that photographer guy. I figured you were still in school or something.”

“Seriously?” I followed him into the kitchen as I told him, “I’ve been out of school for months.”

“I’ve had a lot going on. We both have.”

Wrath got to work on the vegetables. They weren’t anything out of the ordinary, just some roasted asparagus and a baked potato, but they smelled delicious. When it was ready, he plated our food and carried it over to the table. I sat down and smiled as I looked at the delicious meal he’d prepared. “I have to say, I’m impressed. This looks amazing.”

“Well, I hope it tastes as good as it looks.”

“Me, too, or you’re gonna have to break out the ketchup.”

“Not gonna happen.” He waited as I took a bite of steak, then asked, “Well?”

“It’s really good.”

“So, no need for any extra condiments?”

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