“Come on, Mini B, let’s take a gallop around your party,” he gave her legs a pat before he took off like a horse, galloping around the room. Mama tried to reach for Bee, but he reared back, neighing loudly in her face, and took off galloping again. Mama gave chase, and I heard a distinct “oh, shit,” before he gripped Bee’s legs even tighter and took off faster.
Dante pulled me close to his side, and I snuggled in, wrapping my arm around his back and rested my head against his chest, watching as Mama threatened to behead Vienna if he didn’t hand over her granddaughter.
He eventually passed Bee on, but it wasn’t to Mama. He reared his hands as though he were a horse on two legs and then bent down low, allowing Shark to scoop Bee into his arms. Mama shook her head and went to reason with Shark, but he did the exact same thing as Vienna, except he pretended he was a literal shark and spat his water at Mama.
I laughed out loud at that, noticing the fuming look on her face as she rubbed the water away with both hands.
Shark passed Bee to Hacksaw, who pretended he was a dragon. Hacksaw passed her to Doc, who mimicked being an eagle and used his claws to drag chairs in Mama’s path. Doc passed Bee on to Crash, who pretended he was a motorbike and then finally passed her onto Ant, who spun her around, pretending he was a helicopter.
Bee was squealing in happiness, kicking her little legs, demanding the horse go faster, the motorbike revved, the helicopter to be louder.
“She loves it here, Rachel,” Dante murmured to me, and I knew it was meant to alleviate my fears.
“It’s not her feelings I’m worried about. I know she loves it here. It's her safety, Dante. Happiness won’t protect her.”
“No, but love and trust will. She has no need to feel fear, because she knows we’ll keep her safe.”
“Okay,” I said, not wanting to be drawn into an argument.
Especially as he was conveniently forgetting just how easy it was to hurt her. He didn’t want to discuss the fire. He was pretending as though it had never happened.
“You little shit!” A voice came from my left. It was one of the club whores – a term I still hated. She was shouting at Rooster, who had thrown a dart and narrowly missed her head.
“Move that big ass hair out the way next time,” he slurred in her general direction, and she responded by throwing her drink in his face.
I shook my head at them, but didn’t intervene. Little spats like that were so common, they barely held my attention anymore.
Mama finally got hold of Bee, and was smothering her face in a million kisses, telling her how happy she was that she was home.
I hated myself for it, but I felt some of the coldness towards Mama melt away. She was a dick of a woman, but there was no doubting how much she loved that little girl.
It was her one redeeming quality, and the only thing stopping me from putting a knife between her eyes.
“Do you want a drink?” Dante asked me, pulling away slightly.
“Please,” I nodded, feeling a wave of sickness come over me.
It was fucking hot in here.
“Are you alright? You’ve gone incredibly pale.”
“I’m fine,” I assured him. “I’m going to go and sit with Jenna for a bit.”
“I’ll bring your drink over. Gin?”
“Please,” I said again, making my way over to where Jenna and Shark were sitting.
“Room for a little one?” I asked, nodding at the empty seat.
“Take mine,” Shark offered, getting to his feet. “I want to go see Bee again, anyway.”
“You better get in line,” I laughed as he hurried off and took a seat next to my friend.
“You’re quiet tonight,” I said to her.
“It’s been a long couple of days,” she sighed back.
“Everything okay?”
