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Three hours later, with my belly full of junk food and all of Maeve’s errands done, we park back on the somber street that holds the infernal group home.
“Not glad to be back so soon, I see,” Maeve states insightfully.
“I don’t think anyone ever gets used to this place.”
“Just give it time. It grows on you,” she retorts with a smile.
So does fungi if you let it, Maeve, but I wouldn’t want that shit anywhere around me.
I keep my witty comeback to myself and walk to the trunk of her car to pull out all the bags filled with books and toys that had been donated to us by the sisters of Mercy Convent. I couldn’t help but laugh at the name when we got to the convent during our errands, since it sounded awfully like one of those old rock bands Hale likes so much.
As if he knows I’m thinking of another man who isn’t him, Gray finally breaks his vow of silence and speaks to me for the first time in hours.
“Help her out and get to work. We lost enough time as it is.”
“Oh, don’t get your panties into a bunch. You’ll be covered with wrinkles, worrywart, if you keep going on this way,” I whisper.
I’m waiting for Gray to return my sass with his all too familiar growl, but it’s Maeve who responds as well.
“You’re right. I should really chill and not worry too much. I’m sure the kids will love these gifts.”
I offer her a fake smile, because it dawns on me that she must have said something while I was trying to push Gray’s buttons.
“They’ll love it,” I agree.
“I hope so. These kids are all about iPads and iPhones and whatnot, even if it means they have to steal on the street to get the fancy gadgets. What are books compared to that?” she says holding up a copy ofThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
I take it out of her hands and fondle the old cover.
“Don’t be too quick to discard books. I have a friend that lives and dies for them. She’s the kind of girl who has no idea what the new show on Netflix is, but she could recite the last book she’s read word for word.”
“Sounds like you miss her. Maybe you should invite her here one day. Just because you’re in a home, it doesn’t mean you can’t have friends. It might be nice seeing a familiar face. Might even help you feel more at home here.”
I offer her another fake ass smile, because like hell would I ever let Cara anywhere near this place. It would swallow her whole with a flick of a finger. I’d be the shittiest best friend in history to let any harm come to Cara. Even though she hates it, I’d rather have her tucked away in that ivory tower of hers in the middle of Manhattan than ever risk her coming down to this house of nightmares.
Not wanting to touch the subject of bringing Cara here again, I grab a few bags and hurry inside. Thankfully the minute I do, a bunch of the younger kids circle around me, eager to see what I’ve brought.
“No need for chaos, little ones,” Maeve mutters behind me. “Help Ivy and me take these bags into the living room so you can all pick what you like best.”
The kids cheer in jubilation, making the pit of my stomach hurt for them. They have so little, get so little, that receiving a broken toy or worn book feels like Christmas to them.
“Ivy, do you mind getting the rest from my trunk and locking the car once you’re done?” Maeve asks, throwing her car keys to me before I have time to respond.
“Sure thing,” I shout over the loud ruckus.
I head outside again, only to find a very pissed off hitman leaning against Maeve’s car.
“What?” I ask a little too scornfully.
“You know what. We’re here to do a job and you’re losing focus.”
“No, I’m not,” I reply, pulling the remaining bags from the trunk before slamming it shut. “I’m just taking a breather while making a few kids forget that they have such shitty lives. Can your thick head comprehend that at all? Do you have any empathy for these kids in the slightest, or is it all about the money for you?”
He grabs my arm so forcefully, the bag I’m holding drops to the ground.
“You think I’m getting paid for this?” he snarls, nostrils flaring.
“Aren’t you?” I cock a brow.
