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“Why just him?” I ask, not following his logic. “Murphy and Heidi just had a baby. Grinder and Serena just had one.”
“It’s the twin thing. Charlotte’s having twins.” He rolls his eyes. “I never knew Winter had an obsession with having twins before.”
“I’m pretty sure Teller didn’t plan it that way,” I point out. “Wait until the babies get here and she sees how much work they are. Maybe that’ll change her mind.”
He slaps his palms together prayer-style and closes his eyes for a few seconds.
Ravage returns, closing the door behind him. “Got her out of here safe, boss,” he says, dropping into his chair again. “You’re not still talking about babies, are you?”
“Yeah, we were talking about you,” I say.
“The biggest baby,” Bricks adds.
Rav jumps out of his chair. “Well, I’ll let you two sync up your cycles, check your fertility windows, or whatever the fuck. I’m gonna go work the floor.”
“Don’t forget your G-string!” Bricks shouts after him.
Rav throws up his middle finger, then slams the door.
Shaking his head and grinning, Bricks turns my way. “I never get tired of messing with him.”
“Eh. He’s been helping out a lot here. I probably shouldn’t hassle him so much. You definitely should, though.” I flash an evil grin. “At every opportunity.”
His shoulders shake with laughter, then abruptly stop. “Did I hear right? Inga stopped by here?”
I let out a heavy sigh. Somehow, I’d managed to forget about that. “Yup. Wanted to waltz right on stage like nothing ever happened.”
“She had balls approachingyou.”
“Karma loves fucking with me. Must be all the evil shit I’ve done.”
“What’re you talking about?” Bricks stares at me slack-jawed. “You’re the best of us, brother.”
“You kidding? All the people I’ve fucked up…or sent to the demon’s dinner table, as Jigsaw might say. That’s a heavy karmic tax.”
Bricks is shaking his head before I even finish, a serious frown crossing his face. “Fuck that. You know how many good things you’ve done for people? Little things that make a huge difference? You’re always there to help a brother out when he needs it.” He jerks his thumb toward the door. “Kyla looks like she’s had a hundred pounds lifted off her shoulders since she got away from her boyfriend. I feel shitty that I never bothered to figure out why she always looked like a frightened little mouse around here.”
“You haven’t been working here that much since she started,” I point out.
“Don’t be dense, bro. And stop feeling guilty.”
“Idon’tfeel guilty. Sometimes I thinkthat’sthe problem. The lack of remorse.” No crime I’ve committed or body I’ve buried could ever dig a deeper hole in my conscience than losing my wife and daughter.
“God will judge us, brother. Until then, keep doing what you know is right.” He thumps his fist over his heart. “In here. Not what people out there tell you is right.” He points a finger toward the door.
I love my brother and what he’s saying comes from a good place. So I don’t bother telling him that there is no God. Just the universe and its imperfect wisdom.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE
Dex
I probably should’ve sent Emilya text letting her know I was stopping by. It’s late. A school night for Libby. I don’t want to disrupt their lives but the need to see Emily burns in my chest. Kissing her has been on my mind since she left Crystal Ball.
Unlike some of my brothers, I’ve never modified my exhaust system to make it louder. Even so, at this hour, the whole neighborhood will hear me coming. I slow the bike as I turn onto her street and basically coast into her driveway.
Lights from the living room shine through the slivers of curtain. Hopefully that means I didn’t wake her up.
Outdoor lights pop on, nearly blinding me as I walk to the front porch. The overhead light blinks to life and after a few seconds, the front door creaks open.
