“I need to be at my post shortly,” Adam says.
Betz huffs a laugh. “Like it’ll take more than three minutes for a kid like you.”
Adam’s face blooms red.
I focus hard on my tray. I didn’t realize ol’ ladies could talk like that to a prospect. Maybe it’s because Adam is so easy to tease. Another footnote in my thesis.
I have a meeting next week with my adviser to see what my chances are of getting the topic approved. I can’t imagine it’s been studied much, if ever. It’s exciting. I started a secret journal the minute Adam told me about Lucifer’s Kin.
I’ve left out the parts about Merrick, of course. Every moment with him is simply committed to memory.
Including how he felt, right there on the edge of me. I should have slammed down on him. If I’d been a minute faster, this would be done.
But we couldn’t have guessed the Wild Hair would circle back.
Sucks.
Betz wanders out of the kitchen toward the living room.
“I’m sorry she acts like you ought to throw yourself under me,” Adam says.
“I’m used to it.” I open the cabinet to put away the trays.
“Are the ol’ ladies making you do all the work?”
“No. Normally, it’s all of us. Maybe I do a little more, but that’s expected since I’m a mouse. But we all pitched in to cook. I think they all want to stick together while the raid is going on.”
His phone buzzes. “Well, it’s going. The fireworks went off, and Lucifer’s Kin have taken off after Two-Shit and Chain.”
“They’re on their bikes?”
“Yeah. They’ll split up eventually, leaving the trail cold in the marsh. They know the back roads better than anybody.”
I’m surprised to see my hand shaking as I close the cabinet door. “I hope it all goes perfectly.”
“It will. It’s a low-risk operation. Iron Jack plans well.” Adam hops off the stool. “I’m going up top. Text me if you need anything.”
“Okay. Good luck.”
He hesitates. “It’ll probably be pretty safe up there if you want to come up. I wouldn’t mind the company.” His gaze slides over my body again.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I tell him. “Thanks for the offer.”
He heads out the back door.
I glance around the kitchen. Most everything is handled other than the chips, which Betz wanted to keep out as snacks.
My belly quivers. I think it might be best if I changed. I feel like I’m one of those video game girls about to go into battle in a chain mail bikini, as if that’ll do a bit of good.
I head to the bunkhouse to do that when I hear a keening cry.
It’s Carol.
I turn right around and race to the living room.
Stoney is holding Carol’s arm. She’s bent over her belly, the floor wet at her feet.
Her water’s broken.
