“I’ll be back real soon, and I’ll bring in cakes, and sandwiches, and pastries, okay? Just hold out a little longer.”
“’kay.”
“Love you, Rugrat.”
“Love you, Juju.”
I slip into the corridor and quietly snick the front door closed behind me. I’m surprised by the rattle of the chain sliding back on, though I shouldn’t be. The twins are too damn smart for their own good—way too smart for the Vale—and already emotionally superior to Eric-fucking-fat-ass-Feelan.
I wipe my face with the back of my hand, clearing the tears. My fucking heart is breaking just leaving them there in that state. Hell, I’m not any better. I’m not even sure how I’m still standing.
With no other choice, I do the only thing I can and rush to the store before the adrenaline I’m using to function wears off and I come crashing to a halt.
“Jules, is that you?” Charlie calls out as the delivery door bells chime above me. “You’re, like, half an hour early.” She turns with her usual welcome grin and catches sight of me. Her grin slips right off her face. Her eyes widen. Her arms fall limply to her side, the rolling pin striking her knee. “Oh, my Christ! What in the heavens happened to you?”
She’s at my side in seconds, pawing at me, patting me down, turning me around, pulling my hair back from my face and searching for cuts.
“If Eric fucking touched you again—” She slips my bag off my back. “I don’t care how much you beg this time—” She pinches at my clothing, pulling up my tee to check my skin there. “I’m sending Daddy-Bear to gut him. I’ll Sweeney Todd him, I swear!”
“Charlie…Charlie stop! I’m okay.”
“You look like you got run over by a blood bank.”
“Yeah, about that. Can I get a shower? I have clothes with me, but,shit, it’s a long freaking story.”
Charlie nods absently, but turns to the doorway leading to theshop floor and yells; “Daddy-Bear!”
“What is it, baby?” Koko strides into the kitchen, all seven-feet of him, swollen with muscles on muscles. His apron is especially made, but still too small for his frame. The Samoan giant looks more like a warrior than a butcher. His frown is permanently fixed on his face during work hours, though, if you’re lucky enough to really know him, he’s the friendliest giant you’ll ever meet. His laughter shakes buildings.
Charlie, by contrast, is barely five-foot and most of that is her curly red hair. They’re an oddly perfect pair. Her smile is legendary and only leaves her face in the direst of situations. So, seeing her frowning immediately puts Koko on guard.
“Who am I killing?” he growls low.
“Eric Feelan,” Charlie spits. Any other time she’d be right on the money, just not this time…or at least it’s not his fault entirely.
“About time.” Koko grins dangerously and pulls the apron from around his neck.
“Stop!” The pair pause to look at me. Koko takes his time to catalogue my appearance in a much calmer more hands-off way than Charlie did. “There was a shooting in the Tower last night.” As soon as the words are out, I regret it. Charlie screeches so loud it might as well be an interplanetary S.O.S.
“I’m okay! Everyone is okay! I’m not injured. I saved the guy!”
“You did what?” Charlie looks set to strangle me. Thedon’t interfererule is pretty universal across the Vale.
“He was my age,” I tell her, as if that explains my stupidity. “One second, he was talking to his friend and then he’s on the floor bleeding out. I called for help and put pressure on the wound,” I recount.
“That’s it?” She holds a single brow aloft as if she doesn’t believe me, but when I nod, she drops it out of attack mode.
“Pretty much,” I admit. “I freaked out and ran away. The guy’s brother came to get me and then, when I finally got home about an hour ago, Eric had locked me out again. I came here rather thanhang around in the corridors.”
“Holy shit.” Charlie backs up until her legs hit the stool in the corner and slumps into the seat. “You’re going to have to give me the unabridged version, missy.”
“Am I killing someone today or not?” Koko grumbles.
Charlie shoots a questioning look my way. “Think about it…this offer doesn’t come lightly. Anyone you need to off? I’ll sell spicy meat pies on sale tomorrow.” This time I know she’s kidding. Sort of.
“No. Not today. But thanks for the offer.”
The big guy grunts and swings his apron back on. “Anytime for you, Jules.”
