Page 34 of Praying for Thunder

She looked up.

“You’re helping me learn my gifts.”

As if the honor was too much, and she didn’t feel deserving, her shoulders sagged. “Diablo, please don’t—”

“Care for you? Adore Thunder? Tell me, honestly, which one you don’t want.”

She struggled but finally was able to take a couple of cleansing breaths. “Okay, ask me a question.”

He inhaled as if feeling her reserve evaporating. “Thank you.”

Swallowing, she nodded. “Not easy.”

“I understand that, too, babe.” He lifted his chin. “Okay, where were we? Oh yes, why the heap on wheels?”

Her tongue pushed against the inside of her cheek. “I’m saving all my money for fake IDs.”

Lightly, he smacked his hands on the counter “Of course.” As if he should’ve seen that one coming, he leaned his head back, telling himself, “Diablo, that was an easy one to figure out.”

She giggled. “Putting me through Hell for nothing?”

“Sorry.” Then he said, “I get your concern. They can be pricey as fuck.”

With a worried expression, her finger trailed along the bar. “Exactly.”

As if not currently having a deep conversation about love and illegal activities, Dio simply opened the milk. “Lucky thing you got you a Dio, then.”

Next to his ear, I howled, “Diiiioooooo.”

“Watch and learn, kid!” He poured the milk directly into the box!

Shocked, I Scooby Doo’d. “Rrr-rrr?”

Laughing at me, he threw a spoon into the box. “Breakfast served.”

Diablo Jesiah David Holmes, the Cleaner for the Nevada Chapter of the Royal Bastards, was the magnificent storm that was perfectly blending with ours.

Bewildered by the miracle Anita could no longer deny, she softly agreed, “Yes. Luck. I’ve missed having some.”

SEVEN

WHAT PLEASES YOU, EASES ME

Even though Diablo was young, and a newer patched member of the Royal Bastards, he was a brother. Therefore, he was cared for and protected, including his heart. His MC President was monitoring from afar, yet trying to give Diablo the room to learn.

Were mistakes made? Of course! But try to understand, Dio and Ani were soon clinging to one another like they were sharing the only life raft in a lonely and vast sea. I know, because I was there. I saw it all firsthand and adored every minute of it. Even the tumultuous conversations.

In our apartment’s small living room, she stomped her foot. Pointing to the window, she complained, “They’re here again!”

Two Bastard motorcycles sat in the parking lot near our building.

In the kitchen, a calm Dio flipped the stir-fry he was cooking us. “Easy, Tiger. They’re just a precaution until we know what we’re up against.”

Ready to explode, she paced in front of the used green couch, a strong glare in place. “I said I need time to give you more details.”

Carefully stepping over me as I played with my fire truck at his feet, Dio grabbed soy sauce from the refrigerator. “Absolutely. And you have it. So, stop with your meltdown. You’re turning me on.”

Jaw drop to the floor.