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“You love me to death and back? That’s all?”

“Brat.” I kiss her nose.

She sighs and holds the back of my neck. “You are my Mobius strip, my love.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“No matter where I travel or go, or what I do, it will always loop back to you. We are a continuous loop of all things in life.”

“In other words, forever?”

“Yes.”

“Then just say that.”

“Fine, forever.” She gasps as I nip at her bottom lip.

“Oh, my good girl. My smart girl. Let’s go slaughter some people. Then I’m going to need to wrap my hand around your hair and direct your mouth again.”

She kisses me slowly and parts my lips with her tongue. I’m afraid to find out if it’s the blood lust that turns her on or the Frank Sinatra. Either way, this chapter is already written. In the book of life of Sal Pietro, they all fucking end with this soul-quenching, sunshiny sassy love of Poppy Goddamned Gelbert.

I sweep my tongue into her mouth, and we share something that’s just for us. The affirmation that no matter what happens… we own this moment in time. It’s ours, so fuck off everyone.

She pulls away from me and looks me up and down. “As much as you’ve missed wearing suits, I promise you. I’ve missed it more.” Then winks and yanks on my lapels.

Brick yells from the corner, “Ms. Poppy. There’s killing to be done. Tuck your libido back until later.”

“You’re a party pooper but I get it.”

And then she releases a shaky breath as she looks at me. I wish I was stalwart and grounded for her, but I feel exactly the same.

Brick sees our hesitation. Becca walks over, takes Poppy’s hand, and puts hers on top.

Poppy asks, “And Gran always said?”

“That real family are the ones who share your stories. Who knows the details you forget.”

That’s what the whole damn five families are for her. Josh, Sam, David, Tabi, and Baxter. They all own each other’s stories. Having added a chapter or two, I can attest that those stories matter as much as my own.

“Did you get a hold of your mom?” Poppy asks. Becca shakes her head.

“No one is answering anywhere and the tasting rooms are all closed lipped. It’s really freaking locked down.”

“Because of this shit?” I ask.

Poppy shrugs. “I don’t think so. How could they be? Boomer doesn’t have the go order on it, and Mel only knows that I needed Brick.”

“I answered that text, darling. Not Mel.” Brick corrects me then shifts his weight. “I can’t get a hold of her.”

“Shit. Where the hell did our families go?”

“Let’s put our faith in Boomer. We have to go.”

“Don’t think about all you have to do. Just think about the next step.” Becca pulls her into a hug. “One foot in front of the other.” They stand there long enough that I can see it’s not calming Poppy down rather giving her time to overthink.

I clap my hands together and the sound reverberates through the house. They both jump.

“Enough pillow sampler talk. No more Laugh, Love, Live bullshit. Fucking pull your shit together and remember the anger. Remember the pain. All the fucking pain that drove you to New Orleans. The pain of taking what’s yours because of what he did, and he’ll do it again.”