Page 17 of Reaper Razed

“At least tell me you’re taking my brother home with you. I’ll feel better knowing he’s there.”

“I am.” She smiles sheepishly. “I don’t think I can be without him now, Ray. I’m how you say… screwed!”

“You’re so fucking screwed!” I laugh, and I hug her.

“We'll leave tomorrow. I’m sure Roach will be coming with us too. It’s like this MC has burned its way into our hearts.”

“They say you can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. I beg to differ on that, Carmen. I’ve chosen my family, and you’re a part of that. I knew it from the first moment we spoke.”

“I love you, Hermana!” I love you, Sister!

“¡Yo también te amo mi hermana!” I love you too my sister.

Carmen heads off to pack, with Viking and Tali close behind her.

Warm hands slide around my waist from behind, and I’m pulled into that all-encompassing embrace that I can’t help but melt into. “Don’t worry, baby, the apartment won't be empty for long.”

I chuckle at that. “Maybe we should have a revolving door installed?”

“Maybe.” He kisses me on the head and steps back, my body missing the heat of his already. “Maybe you should go see Skye. She’s been quieter than normal since you disappeared.”

Nodding, I head to her room and knock on the door. “Hey Skye, it’s me. You got a sec?”

“Come in.”

“Hey, how are you doing?” Looking around the room, I see she’s put some pictures up on the wall that she’s drawn. “Did you do these?”

“Yeah!” She nods, almost embarrassed.

“Skye, these are wonderful. I can take you shopping for supplies if you need anything.”

She flushes with embarrassment again, “It’s just a silly hobby. It’s not important.”

“Says who?”

“My mum used to.”

I sit on the edge of her bed. “You’ve never really talked about your life before you came here?”

She shrugs. “I like to try to forget it. Some things are easier to forget than others.”

“You wanna talk about it all?” I crawl up to her bed and rest my back against her headboard. She’s quite small, really, about five-foot-two maybe, with mousy brown hair, freckles across her nose and chocolate brown eyes with gold flecks in, she is pretty when she smiles, but it doesn’t happen enough.

She shrugs again. “When you’re not so busy, ya know, saving the world and stuff!”

I bark a laugh at her. “Saving the world and shit? I’m definitely no superhero, kiddo!” I shake my head. “I’m kind of an arsehole, in case you haven’t noticed!”

She smiles sadly at me.

“Ya know, when you’re ready to talk, I’m here to listen no matter what. I’m never too busy! No judgement, No questions asked, if you don’t want me to.”

“How many people have you killed?”

“Shit! Too many!” I shrug at her. “Does that upset you or make you feel unsafe? I’ll never hurt you, ya know!”

She’s shaking her head. “I’ve never felt as safe as I do here, but what happens when I have to go back? What then?”

“Why would you have to go back?” I ask. I’ve never made her feel like this has to be temporary. I’ve tried to make her feel at home as much as I can.

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