Page 9 of A New Era

There’s no hope, though, when it comes to her and us. Like us, like the Haywards, there’s a reason for every move she makes. If she’s selling the land she acquired here in town, there’s certainly a reason behind it.

“Victoria received a bunch of flowers from Effie this morning. Call Luca and get the name of the florist and check it out. You never know, it could help us.”

Again, I don’t hold much hope that it will, but unlikelier things have happened. You never know in this world.

“Will do.”

Zach follows his father out and I lean back in my seat. Finishing my beer, I get the prospect's attention and order another.

Once again, I find myself balancing the good in our lives compared to the bad. River’s birth, Holly’s and I’s upcoming wedding, and no one being killed recently. No matter who comes for us, or why they come for us, we will sink to the lowest depths to protect the light in our world. For without the light, there’s no fucking point in breathing.

Chapter Three

Holly

It’s been a long day. I sit out on the back porch with a glass of wine and listen to the muffled music coming from over in the bar. I thought I’d miss the silence from the cabin once Rayna was in bed and I was alone, but I’m finding that I enjoy the fact there is a whole club not far from the house. Everything has changed. It’s amazing how once Leo and I got our shit together, everything else fell into place… just like it was meant to be. I found myself letting the old ladies into my life. Further than Nina, Harper, and Victoria. I sip the red wine and smile. I was never a big wine fan but since spending time with the old ladies, it’s now my drink of choice.

I hear the front door open and close and fully relax knowing Leo’s home.

“I’m out here,” I call through and smile when he steps outside, kisses me, and takes the chair opposite me.

“You stink of beer.”

“You stink of wine,” he counters, grinning. “How’s your day been? Rayna in bed?”

“Yeah, and it’s been good. I found the perfect dress.”

“Yeah?”

Nodding, I tell him, “You might not want to look so closely at your next statement.”

Laughing, he says, “It’s all good.”

“How was your day?”

“Long, I’m about ready for bed. Come on.”

I wash my glass and leave it on the drainer while he locks up and checks on Rayna and then I head upstairs. I love our nightly routines, it’s so normal and mundane. We fall in sync together perfectly.

I sit at my dresser and slide my gloves off while he brushes his teeth and I apply my hand lotion, looking anywhere but at my hands. Having my scars out in the open around Leo has become normal to me now but in my mind, I’m still stuck in the past. Every time he kisses my scars, I cringe a little less. Every time he places my hand on him, I cringe less. I can’t accept them as easily as Leo and I do my best to act like the scars aren’t there at all. It’s the best I can do without living in the dark because of them.

He walks into the room, his jeans hanging loosely around his hips, and I ask, “Can I ask you a question?”

“Always.”

“What are the chances of what happened at your brother’s wedding, happening at ours?”

He pauses throwing the scattered cushions from the bed to the floor and frowns.

“How long have you been worrying about this?”

“Not long,” I lie.

The truth is it’s been on my mind for a while. Standing, I help unmake the bed and slide in under the sheets. He turns the lamp off, undresses, and joins me.

“As it stands, we have no reason to expect anyone to attack us here, but if we were, I’d make arrangements to thwart any such plans.”

“But your dad had men as lookouts on Luca’s wedding night and they were killed.”

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