Page 107 of Pieces of Heaven

Armor waits until Ruin takes a breath before jumping in with, “For tonight and maybe the next few days, everyone stays locked down with their families or at the Pigsty. Until these assholes are dead, we can’t trust anyone is safe. They might be terrible shots, but they were more than willing to kill innocent bystanders to get to their targets.”

Ruin nods. “I’m organizing a meeting with Peter in the next few days. Even if the assholes are dead, I want the Halvorson family to bend a knee. Their bullshit lit the fuse for what blew up on us today. When that meeting happens, I’m taking a few of you with me to scare them.”

Now finished bossing everyone around, Ruin gives my shoulder a squeeze and walks out. Most of the others follow. Walla Walla sticks around to play Eagle’s escort.

“But won’t you be riding alone after you drop me off?” Eagle asks Walla Walla.

“No one wants to kill me. I’m too likable.”

“You’re fucking jinxed now, man,” I tell him and grin. “Everyone’s coming for your pretty boy ass.”

Walla Walla shares my smile. “I’ll let Xenia and Kourtney know you’re ready for visitors.”

As the men leave, my head starts filling with worries. The sedative keeps those fears from fully taking root. I’m not even sure why I didn’t want Kourtney to meet Xenia. Likely, I was just fussing over nothing.

I hear my sister’s heels clicking long before she enters. Kourtney looks just like I remember with her slick red business jacket and matching skirt. Behind her, Xenia is dressed in the same T-shirt and denim as when I left her this morning. Yet, I swear she’s more beautiful than before. I don’t know how she does that to me. I’ll get her face memorized, only to realize I didn’t do it justice once I see her again.

“The ones who did this to you are dead, yes?” Kourtney asks before approaching.

“The cops will need to scoop the assholes’ brains off the asphalt.”

Kourtney nods and takes a step forward. “Good,” she mutters and glances at Xenia. “I met your cupcake lady.”

As Xenia shuffles closer, I hate how she’s been crying.

“While this one is a keeper,” Kourtney says and wraps an arm around Xenia, “her sister is a royal bitch.”

“Sister?” I ask, wondering why Xenia won’t move closer.

“Quana was worried about me,” Xenia whispers. “She came to find me.”

Concerned Xenia might be thinking about taking off after today’s bullshit, I decide I won’t let her go easily. There’ll be no strong, silent reaction. I’m willing to beg, threaten, and tie Xenia down to keep her in the Valley with me.

“How did that go?” I ask.

“I told her to shut the fuck up,” Xenia explains before adding in a whimper, “Oh, Hobo.”

I finally get why she’s acting so squirrely. Lifting my uninjured arm, I gesture for her to come closer.

“Just get it out,” I murmur when she hurries to my side.

Xenia leans into the bed and sobs against my chest. I stroke her back while holding my sister’s gaze. Kourtney normally suffers no sympathy for people’s tears. My sister is a hard woman and demands toughness from those around her. If they can’t toughen up, she dismisses them.

Right now, Kourtney smiles softly when Xenia cries. She even looks worried herself. I think back to the other times I caught a bullet or got stabbed. Kourtney never seemed all that concerned.

“Are you okay?” I ask when Kourtney’s smile fades, and she looks pouty. “Need a hug?”

Kourtney narrows her eyes, wanting to give me shit. Instead, she sighs. “You dying before seemed like it wouldn’t be such a big deal,” she says and then shakes her head. “Not like I wouldn’t miss you. But I figured you lived a rough life, and that’s how men like you died. Except now, you’re all gaga over Cupcake. Seems sadder for you to die when you have something new and shiny to play with.”

Her words aren’t particularly warm, but I get what she means. I’m not a guy she thought would fall for anyone. I didn’t even have much interest in fucking women, let alone cuddling with them like I am now with Xenia. I bet Kourtney isn’t sure what to make of this softer version of her brother.

Xenia lifts her face from my chest and wipes her eyes. My thumb caresses a stray tear as I smile at her.

“Feel better?”

Xenia offers me a weak smile. “I never want you to suffer.”

“I’m not looking to take any more bullets,” I admit and sigh. “Loving you is turning me soft.”

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