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"I kind of mouthed off to Dom too so I guess I can't blame you," she said, swiping at her cheeks, not even attempting to move away from me and I wouldn't have had it any other fucking way.
"You?" Bry asked exactly what I was wondering. "You don't mouth off to anyone."
"Apparently when people make jokes about raping me, I do."
I could see Bry pale, likely feeling the same sinking feeling in his gut at the very idea of her having to listen to that shit.
There was a long, tense pause as Bry looked at her, brows drawn together. "You're not freaking out," he observed, looking utterly confused by that.
"I've been, ah, getting used to being dragged around against my wishes," she admitted with a wobbly little smile as she looked up at me.
"Remember the last time you were out?" Bry asked, getting my attention and hers too as she looked back at him. "We were out to a late lunch because that's when the diner was the most empty and we figured it would be okay."
"Bry..." she said, shaking her head, obviously not happy with the memory.
"The way you were shaking and that look of absolute fucking terror in your eyes, Dusty, I never thought I would ever see you outside again without that look. And here we are after you got fucking kidnapped and you don't have that look." He paused there, exhaling a deep breath and giving me a short glance. "I have you to thank for that," he said, accepting a reality I knew was killing him. I was good for her. I helped her where he couldn't. "I'm happy for you," he added as he looked back at her, his eyes relaying some message the way only siblings or old friends could, something I couldn't decipher, but it had Dusty reaching out and taking his hand, giving it a squeeze before dropping it again and resting it on my chest.
It was right about then that I saw Lo.
She was completely turned around in her seat and watching us, strange whimsical little smile in place.
"Oh, don't mind me," she said, shaking her head. "I need some popcorn or something. I love me a good romance. Why is no one kissing?" she added with a teasing laugh.
Apparently Lo- badass lady boss of fucking Hailstorm who had just negotiated a deal that saved two people I cared about after neutralizing an entire gang and watching a man be murdered, without even a blink- was a fucking romantic.
Go fucking figure.
"So, what now?" she asked when everyone sat there somewhat uncomfortably at her previous comment. "I mean, I figure you two will do the happily ever after thing," she said, smiling at me and Dusty. "I want an invite to the wedding, by the way," she added and Dusty laughed, making a smile pull at my lips. "But what about you?" she asked Bry.
To that, he let out a strange snort. "Fuck if I know. I don't have any other skills."
"Um, bull," Dusty said, shaking her head. "You have plenty of other skills you could use. Dealing was the easy way out and you know it."
"Yeah, and not for nothing," Lo piped in, "but there's no way Third Street or Lyon want anything to do with you now. So your so-called career is over in Navesink Bank. Time to find a legit way to make money."
With that, as if sensing Bry needed a minute, Lo turned forward and switched on the radio. Bry looked out his window.
I leaned down, pressing a kiss to the side of Dusty's head. "You okay?" I murmured, giving her a squeeze.
She took a deep breath and turned her head up so it was in my neck, planting a sweet kiss there. "I am now."
"Shouldn't have left you," I added, shaking my head.
I could have had the meeting at the hotel and asked Dusty to stay in the room or had the meeting in the fucking hall.
Stupid move.
But I knew that if she stayed in, she was safe.
I never could have predicted her leaving.
"You gave me company," she said, looking up, giving me an amused smile. It said a world. She had a good time with Fee and Lea.
"You have fun with the girls?"
"Is it possible not to? Fee is a trip," she said, shaking her head.
"Expect a care package soon."
"I already got a couple."
"Oh yeah? What'd you get?"
"Just pajamas and girl stuff and junk food and..."
She trailed off, cheeks going the slightest bit pink and I knew I had to know if it gave her that reaction. "And?"
"And," she pressed her lips together, thinking, then gave me a smile. "We can probably fill our own fishbowl now," she said and I chuckled.
Fee and her condoms.
"The next care package will probably require batteries," I told her, knowing it was the damn truth. When she and Lea became friends, Fee had dragged her to the sex toy store to help her pick out a vibrator. That was just how Fee was.
