“Domestic violence cases are complicated and complex. I would do my very best.”
“Thank you.” I struggle to keep my voice even.
After the call ends, I take a moment to get myself together before I walk out. When I do, Viper is sitting on a stool at the island.
“Here she is,” he says with his usual flirtatious grin. “Bomber’s outside watching the pig on the spit for me. Rage and I are going to the store to get alcohol. If you need anything else for dinner, can you shoot through a message with what you need?”
“Definitely potatoes, pumpkin,” I mumble to myself.
He clears his throat. “So you’ll send me the list?”
I blink a few times, realizing I didn’t answer him. “Yes, sorry, I will. Should I cook cauliflower and broccoli, or will it end up in the bin?”
“Cook some. Me and Rage will eat it.”
I pull up a new message on my phone and type inpotatoes, pumpkin,broccoli, andcauliflower.
“Hey, Ava?”
“Mmm...” I reply as I slowly bring my eyes up to gaze at him.
“Stop saying sorry.”
“Sorry.” I flinch and he chuckles, shaking his head. “I can’t help it.” It’s ingrained in me, and I know it will take a long time to get rid of those habits.
“What alcohol do you want?”
“I’m not a big drinker, but the wine at the wedding was nice. I don’t know the names of them.”
“It’s all right. I’ll check with Elena or Axle.” He yells, “Twitch, do you need anything at the store?”
Heavy footsteps get closer until Twitch comes into view. He rubs his eyebrow. “No... I should be fine.” He was replying to Viper, but his eyes were on the pantry. He takes two more steps, then freezes. He slowly pivots, his cold eyes landing on me. “What did you do?”
Guilt strikes me, and I question myself. I shouldn’t have touched their food.
“It looks better if you ask me,” Viper says, as Twitch moves past me and into the pantry.
Silence.
I wait nervously, racking my brain for what I’ve done, but I’ve only chucked out expired food, and everything is organized and easily accessible.
As he walks out, I watch him closely, trying to gauge his mood as he talks to Viper. “Who’s going?”
“Me and Rage are getting alcohol and whatever else Ava needs.”
“I’ll come and shop for the food then, and you two can get the alcohol.”
Viper raises his chin. “We’re leaving now. Are you ready?”
“Yep,” he replies and steps over to him.
The thought of upsetting Twitch makes me feel terrible. “Did I do something wrong?”
He turns, then his face falls. He steps toward me and puts his arm around my shoulder, smiling at me. “Nah, girl.” He bends down and whispers, “But next time, give me a heads-up before you do a cleanup.”
“I can do that,” I reply, still unsure whether I did something wrong.
* * *
