AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, I do, and you keep it at bay,” I whispered, opened my eyes, and looked at Dakota.
“Knew Bunny was awake,” Chance grumbled, but he didn’t put any meaning behind it.
“I do?” Dakota asked.
“Yeah, you stop Mom’s scream, Dad’s never-ending shriek, the pain of losing you; you push them away. They’re silenced around you,” I admitted, and Dakota’s face softened.
“Then I need to find me a woman,” Diesel muttered, and we laughed.
“She’ll turn up when you ain’t looking for her brother,” Chance said as Diesel rubbed his eyes.
“We finished with this heart-to-heart shit now?” Diesel grouched. But Diesel didn’t mean the words; instead, I saw the pain in Diesel’s eyes, and I wondered about it.
“Yeah, until it’s your turn, then I’ll be by Chance’s side when he lays down his wisdom on you,” Dakota grinned and winced. “Leg’s aching.”
“Never explained how you broke it,” I said, yawning and popping gum into my mouth.
“Carrying the kid up the hill. My foot snapped through a rabbit’s warren or something, and I went down heavily. Logan clung to me as we rolled down. Poor lad then fetched me some branches to make a splint. Logan was as brave as they come, even though he didn’t say a word. I hope he’ll make it through without troubles,” Dakota replied.
“Therapy should be offered. Just pray that bastard mother takes the offer,” I sniped, and Chance snickered. Dakota lifted an eyebrow, and I bit my lip.
“Bunny ripped the mother a new asshole. Woman was bitching we weren’t searching for Logan. And Bunny went to town on her. Tell ya, man; you get a house, lock the cupboards; I think Bunny’s a thrower.” Chance laughed. I bristled, and Diesel chuckled at me.
“Deny it!” Diesel taunted, and I opened my mouth. “Bat’s head with the beer glass, Ezra’s with the tray. Shall I go on?” I wriggled in my seat and held Diesel’s gaze steady before poking my tongue out.
“Huh?” Dakota urged.
“Bunny has a nasty habit. If someone pisses her off, she launches the nearest thing to hand at them. Bunny’s managed to hit several customers in Magic’s bar, and I ain’t seen her miss once,” Chance revealed. Dakota raised his eyes, and a slow grin crossed his lips.
“Your pitching arm?” he asked. I nodded, and Dakota laughed.
“Tom used to take Bunny to softball. Bunny was playing since she was three,” Dakota explained.
“What the fuck?” Diesel exclaimed.
“Bunny, was playing softball from age three?” Chance inquired with a wary eye on me.
“Yeah, until I was sixteen. I quit then and concentrated on schooling. When I graduated, I continued to play for a local woman’s team. Or played. They’ve probably filled my spot now.” Sadness crept in. I loved playing softball, and we had a good team.
“So, duck,” Diesel warned, and I giggled as the sadness was chased away.
“Dakota and I both used to play, although Dakota had a habit of throwing his bat at players when he hit the ball,” I teased.
“Made the fuckers take their eye off the ball,” Dakota retorted, and we all laughed.
“So, what’s next?” I asked, and Chance raised an eyebrow.
“Do I go back to hiding?”
“Until we get a lead on Line or Tanner, yes, Bunny. Stick close to the bar; that’s the safest place for you. The fire’s gonna be in every newspaper and on tv. The missing kid aspect didn’t help at all. Someone may have taken a picture of us, and you might be in the frame,” Diesel said.
“Yeah, but I hardly kook like Janey Revers,” I argued, and Diesel nodded.
“Don’t disagree, but let’s keep you on the lowdown for now. The lower profile you have, the easier it will be to protect you,” Chance explained.
“But wouldn’t it be better to set a trap? Let slip a rumour that Janet Revers has resurfaced and is coming in to give SPD her statement? Catch them at it?” I demanded, and all three men shook their heads.
“Tanner won’t attack you at the station. He’ll bide his time, and then you’ll disappear. Bunny, I’m not able to protect you properly and if Tanner comes for you now… I’d give my life for you, but it wouldn’t save you,” Dakota replied.
