Page 124 of Praying for Thunder

In my ear, he said, “Hellion… I killed three men to do it.”

I pulled back slightly so he could see how truthful I was being when I insisted, “And you better kill again if it means saving an innocent.”

Awareness flashed in his eyes. Then he delivered a single nod. “I will.”

I meant every word. Someone hurts a child in a malicious manner? Fucking kill ‘em.

Just then, I heard Onus. “Why the fuck ain’t he playing loud music?”

Fuck!

Standing, I pointed for Roam to run to the bathroom, then demanded Tabi, “Pants down,” while shoving Chubs around the head of the bed. After tossing a blanket on the child, I yanked down my jeans while bending Tabi over a chair, pressing my pelvis to hers.

As soon as my door burst open, I seethed, “I’m fucking my woman. Shut the motherfucking door.”

Laughing so hard he was falling backward, the door shut. “He wanted pussy over music this morning!”

I crumbled to her body. “That was too close.” I lifted her with me as I stood and buckled my pants. “I’m sorry—”

She spun in front of me, pulling up her pants. “That was brilliant.” She reached up, grasping my face. “Every day. You continue to amaze me.”

Even though our hearts were pounding in fear, a solace bloomed between us. It was the magic we had together. No matter how bad it got, we found precious seconds, sometimes long moments, to escape. Whether it was through our joining bodies or focused stares, we could shut out the terror for just long enough to reboot our will to keep fighting.

This time, we would only have seconds…

She gasped when noticing something behind me.

The blanket on our bed was moving. Oh, shit!

“Handle her.” I headed for the door. “Hellion’s going to make up for giving them peace this morning.”

Storming out of my room, I made such a ruckus it would cover any panic that needed containing in my bedroom. “I’ve fucking had it with no privacy! I’m a grown goddamn adult! If one more person enters my room without permission, I’m fucking shooting them!”

Dad laughed so hard in his seat at the kitchen table. “Calm down, damn maniac.”

“No!” I picked up a plate and threw it to the ground. “I’m putting a lock on my goddamn door! Only me, my woman, and Leave it To Beaver get a key!”

Now all the Titans were howling laughter. “Leave it to Beaver!”

“This isn’t funny!” I watched them all wipe away tears of laughter. “That’s it. Fucking Home Depot, here I come.” I went to my door. “I’m bolting this motherfucker from all you dickheads.”

Bahahahahahah…

“For now?” I yelled, “I’m moving my couch in front of it ‘cause I never got to finish with Tabi!”

Bahahahahahah…

I opened the door to see Roam, the smart fucker, with wet hair and a towel around his waist. “Oh, great,” I bitched. “Now he’s out of the shower!”

Bahahahahahah…

“Out!”

Playing along, Roam laughed, running past me. “What the fuck is going on?” As he stood in the kitchen, I slammed the door.

Bahahahahahah… The men lost it!

I faced the bed to see the end of the couch headed to me, sliding across the floor by Chubs. Helping him push it against the door, I smacked the wood for show. “Stay the fuck out!”