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“It is,” Kat said and accepted it from her mother. “And it’s legal in this state. So chill.”
She took two long pulls and handed it to Bonnie. “Think of this as almost as relaxing as having sex, only way less invasive.”
Bonnie looked to me, and I nodded. “It won’t hurt you.”
From there Bonnie’s troubles lessened temporarily as she found humor in just about everything, not to mention a fascination with all the constellations on display in the night sky.
“This is not how I saw my summer playing out,” she said after a long period of silence.
I took my turn and soon was stoned enough to let my body relax into the chair until I felt weightless, but not so much that my mind didn’t wander. Didn’t wonder what Virgil was up to or relive jumping out that window. Running for my life.
“Maisie, tell me, and be honest. What are your intentions with my son?” Sadie’s voice was calm and even but there was an intensity in her eyes I knew, at that moment, I never wanted to be on her wrong side. It was fucking chilling.
I swallowed, trying to figure out the best way to answer through a fog of too much liquor and really good pot.
“I’m not sure. I like him and I want to be with him. Hell, I even care about him more than I realized. But I need time to think. I’m still young.”
“What? You think my brother isn’t good enough for you?” Kat’s words were serious but mischief pinkened her cheeks and lit her eyes.
“No, it’s not that,” I tried to explain as best I could. “I had this huge grandiose idea of what a serious relationship meant and how it should be but being with Virgil has shown me that’s not what it means. And I have to make sure I’m okay with that alternative.”
I wasn’t sure if any of that made sense but I hoped like hell it did, because Sadie Ashby was one scary ass bitch.
“Damn, that was deep. So grownup,” Bonnie said, awe filling her voice.
“Does that mean you don’t plan to leave Glitz anytime soon?” Sadie asked me and I saw her toughness for what it was, protectiveness plain and simple. She loved her family and wanted to see them happy no matter what the cost. Growing up with Peaches, I knew that feeling.
“Right now, I don’t plan to but I need to figure out what I’m going to do with the rest of my life now that I’m a college graduate.” I hadn’t even had time to start thinking about the future, but now it was time.
Sadie stared at me for a long moment, and I wasn’t sure if she found me lacking or was thinking of the most efficient way to kill me and hide my body. Eventually she nodded and took a final pull on the joint before stamping it out.
“Kat will find a place for you within the Ashby empire. That degree will come in handy. For both of us,” she said vaguely and sent a look to Kat that said make it happen.
“Uhm, thank you?”
“Don’t thank me just yet. And by God, don’t let me down.”
Her gaze settled on Bonnie and there was a sympathy in her eyes I didn’t imagine her capable of. “When the darkness passes, I might have use for you too. See me then.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Virgil
“You think Sadie’s gonna be pissed we didn’t get home for breakfast?” Calvin looked worried, his gaze settling on Jasper and then me and then Terry. “She’s probably worried.”
Terry was the first to laugh. “Settle down Baby Ashby, Sadie is sleeping off a righteous hangover or she’s sleeping the sleep of the damned. Peaceful as fuck.” He raked a hand through his almost white blond hair and grinned. “She knows the deal.”
“He’s right, Cal. Sadie will appreciate sleeping in after the last few days.” Jasper looked around Midnight Mass, a slight frown on his face despite the early morning crowd. “Where the fuck did all these people come from?”
“Graduation,” I answered automatically. “Town population tripled in the past week with parents staying in every hotel and B&B in the area for festivities and moving their graduates back home.”
Jasper grunted at my answer and then the grumpy bastard grunted at the waitress who took our order. “Something’s off.”
Terry laughed and clapped a hand on Jasper’s shoulder. “Only Jas could feel unsettled after the successful night we had. Thanks to Baby Ashby,” he gestured to Cal, “we managed to take out nine houses belonging to The Crusaders.” Flop houses, whore houses, higher-end brothels and even stash houses. We found them thanks to Cal unlocking Brendan Rhymer’s phone, and we torched them with as little collateral damage as possible.
“Fucking productive night,” he said and raised his Guinness in the air with a satisfied grin.
