“Sorry, she must be hungry.” I pull down my top so she can latch on, and Peyton smiles sadly as she watches.
“You know, I used to spend hours wondering what mine and Raze’s kids would look like. I guess I’m never going to find out.” Her hand strokes my little girl's head as she suckles, and I have no idea what to say to her.
“You're making this all look easy,” she tells me with a sad smile.
“It would be easier without Griller's mom being constantly on my back,” I admit, hoping a change of conversation will be a good distraction.
“Is she really that bad?” Peyton sits up a little straighter.
“Her heart's in the right place, but she’s full on.”
“I noticed that, the morning of the wedding,andthe night you went into labor. I hope she’s not ruining this experience for you.” It’s typical of Peyton to be worried about me when her world has just fallen apart.
“Nothing could ruin this experience. I can handle Iris,” I assure her. “Though it would be nice if we could hide out here for a few hours.” I hope that making her feel that this is for my benefit will change her mind about being alone. I know fromlosing Saul that being alone with your own thoughts at a time like this can be dangerous.
“I know what you're doing, Alicia Peterson.” Peyton shakes her head and smiles at me. “And I love you for it.” She squeezes my hand and starts getting out of bed.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m making us a coffee, and then you can tell me all about Griller's mom,” she explains, already making her way to the kitchen. “Then we’re gonna discuss why no one has told me that Freya’s pregnant.” She raises her eyebrow accusingly.
“Iknow you're busy, but I need to talk to you about something.” I find Wrath in Raze’s office, going over the same paperwork I already have, and looking stressed as hell.
“What’s on your mind, Vike?” He looks up at me.
“Did you know Greaser is runnin’ a chop shop outta the garage?” I ask.
“Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me?” Wrath suddenly looks furious.
“Apparently so. Callum Monkhouse told me yesterday at the funeral. He’d already spoken to Raze about it, the night he disappeared.” I fold my arms over my chest and wait for Wrath to switch on to what I’m thinking.
“Wait, how does Callum Monkhouse know all this?” Now our new Ppez is looking confused.
“He found out by chance. Some kid he was representing for stealing cars ratted Greaser out; luckily, just to him and not the cops. But don’t you find it suspicious that Raze found all this out on the night he was murdered?
“He was lookin’ for him.” Wrath stands up. “I remember him coming outta this office and asking me where Greaser was.”
“And I was sure he’d been with Alicia all night; you know how he never used to let her outta his sight…But I spoke to her, and she told me he stayed at the garage.”
“Shit.” Wrath shakes his head. “You really think Greaser’s capable of killing his own fuckin’ prez?”
“I think that slippery cunt is capable of anything.” It scares the fuck outta me to think how I let him get so close to Alicia.
“Vike, that’s a serious accusation you're making. You and Greaser have had your grievances and?—”
“You said yourself, Raze was looking for him that night. Did he find him? If he did, why didn’t Greaser say anything to us?” I point out.
“We need to speak to him; ask him all this to his face.” Wrath pulls out his cell. “I gotta take Eden to her appointment, but as soon as we're done, we’re havin’ a meeting, and we’re asking Greaser outright what the fuck’s been going on at the garage.”
I’m alone in the clubhouse when Alicia steps inside through the backdoor, carrying Mia in her carseat with a big smile on her face.
“You should have called me to carry her up the stairs for you.” I make my way over to take the carseat from her hand, then place it on one of the tables so I can slide my arms around my girl. “You look happy.”
“I am happy. Me and Peyton just had a really good conversation. She was sad to start with, but when I told her some of the things we’ve been dealing with from Iris, she actually laughed.”
“I had no doubt you’d be able to cheer her up,” I tell her.
“She’s on the phone with child services right now, arranging a visit with Leo,” she explains proudly.
