She snorts and I chuckle, letting her slowly move her way closer until her head is on my shoulder and her thigh is thrown over mine.
“I love you, Vex. And I love Addy and Bree and Joe and the MC. In all my prayers I never thought the safety and family I wished for would look like this.”
“Oh yeah? I knew my ideal family looked like this. I knew I wanted you and two little redheaded girls. I mean, I didn’t pray for my future family to include large, loud men who do bad things for the greater good, but I’ll take ‘em too.”
Loyal snorts at that before letting out a sigh. “What do you think will happen to Hitchens?”
“I don’t have to think. I know what will happen.” Cupping her face I turn her gaze to mine. “He’s not going before the DA. We found him first which means he will die. He will die and it won’t be easy or quick. He will pay for everything he’s done.”
“Good. Let’s get cleaned up, eat, and then visit with Hitchens.”
My shocked gaze finds her clear, blue one. “Babe-”
“Nope,” she says, placing her finger over my lips. “I’m not some silly woman living in a world with hearts and stars. I know what justice looks like, and I want to watch first hand as Hitchens gets his.”
Running a thick finger around Loyal’s hairline, I tuck some loose hair behind her ear. “Understood.” Pressing a kiss to the top of her head I roll out of bed, taking a squealing Loyal with me.
I’ve spent the bulk of my adult life trying to heal from the trauma Eden’s Keep caused, and I know for a fucking fact that Loyal suffered more and longer than I ever did. If my girl thinks she needs to watch an evil man meet his end in tears, snot andblood to feel like justice has been served, then that’s what she’s gonna get.
Loyal
“So, what are we doing here again?” Joe whispers as we quietly walk to the left of the stone path. “And why are we walking on the grass?”
“The path is noisy. People will hear us. This way, no one knows that we’re not where they think we are,” I murmur, stopping for a moment when we get closer to Jason’s cottage. I thought I heard something but when he doesn’t emerge, I take that as a sign to keep going.
“Where do they think we are?”
“Probably tucked up in bed,” I shrug.
“Girl,” Joe says and I stop to look at her when I realize she’s not right behind me anymore. “It’s 7.30pm. No one is in bed at this time,” she rolls her eyes. Her dark globes have been working overtime lately, even with her swollen face.
“Well, yes, OK, I agree with you there. We’re out here sneaking around because I want to look into Travis Hitchens eyes for a moment.”
Joe side eyes me but doesn’t say anything more, just nods once. I know that she should probably talk me out of this, but I need this. I need to look into the eyes of a monster and let him know that he hasn’t won. That Addy and Bree have won. That Joe has won. ThatIhave won. We will live long happy lives while he begs for mercy for what is left of his.
“What is this place?” Joe whispers as I crack the door of the large building open, slipping in through the small gap.
“It’s where Vex and his brothers treat the injured gators they rescue.”
Joe’s shocked gaze turns to me. “You mean they have actual jobs?”
I snort quietly. “Yeah, they rescue and rehabilitate gators as well as run tours.”
“Huh. I just thought they rode around on their little bikes looking all handsome and stuff. Oh and sometimes rescued folk,” she adds, almost as an afterthought.
“I mean, they kinda do that too, but maybe don’t let them hear you call their bikes little.” I giggle.
“Alas, even big handsome men are size sensitive,” Joe laments, her bright white teeth shining in the low light.
“Shhh, stop making me giggle!” I hiss, gently slapping at her arm. “You are a bad influence, Josette Batiste.”
“Says the woman making me sneak into a locked building,” she mutters but still follows me inside when I crack the door open.
The scent of ozone and nature hits my nostrils at the same time the humidity in here hits my skin. Adonner is always sticky hot, but in here it’s even worse than usual. I guess they have to keep the temperature up a little to help the sick gators with their digestion and recovery.
“Huh,” Joe says, her eyes landing on Hitchens the same time mine do. “I would have thought they’d have strung him up.”
“Yeah,” I whisper, unable to tear my eyes off the man tied to a chair in the middle of the room.
