“You should have asked me,” Mercy said. “I would have taken the day off.”
Tak tossed his head back and laughed. “And drive her on the interstate on that death machine?”
She crossed her legs. “I made it all the way here from Dallas, didn’t I?”
He arched an eyebrow. “At night?”
“I like the way you smell,” I whispered in Archer’s ear. “Is that cologne?”
“You like?”
“Yes. Do you want me to wear perfume?”
“I want you to do whatever you want.”
Uncertain what he meant, I asked, “Does that mean yes or no?”
“Come on. Let’s take a walk outside.” After letting me up, he stood and addressed his pack. “We’re taking a walk. Maybe heading home early.”
Virgil straightened up. “Need a chaperone?”
Mercy yanked his shirt. “Virgil, sit your tushy down and leave them alone.”
I tucked myself against Archer’s side as we walked away. “How will they get home?”
“We never take just one vehicle out. Someone always wants to leave early.”
I put my arm around him.
“You look pretty tonight,” he said.
Glancing back, I saw that Virgil and Salem had taken over the dartboards. “I’ve never seen you play. That was amazing.”
“I have a few skills.”
“Skills? You should be a professional.” We walked by the row of pool tables. “You look nice. I’m glad you didn’t wear your jacket. And those boots…” When I looked down, I saw a lace dragging. “Wait!”
Archer gave a perplexed look when I stood in front of him and slowly knelt, eyes locked on his. A naughty smile tugged at his lips, and I decided it might be nice to go home early tonight. He lifted his foot so I could gather up the laces and tie them.
A man next to us whistled slowly. “You got her well-trained.”
I briefly glanced up at a stout, bearded man in a leather vest.
He winked and held his leg toward me. “Come shine my boots, honey. Take your time down there.”
Archer pivoted away. “You better shut your fucking mouth.” He shoved the man’s chest, knocking him back against the pool table.
I sprang to my feet. “Come on, Archer. Let’s go.”
The man tipped his head to the side and glared at Archer. “Better do as she says, tripod.”
I lurched forward. “Don’t you call him that!”
The man cackled. “You’re kidding, right? Or is your cunt so dry that you’re desperate enough to fuck a worthless?—”
Archer unleashed a series of punches that knocked the man off his feet. Then he hovered over him. “Say whatever you want about me, but if I ever hear you speaktoher orabouther again, I will fuckingendyou.”
Gripping Archer’s arm, I gave it a tug. “Come on. Let’s just go.”
