Page 62 of Hell on Wheels
Normally, he hates when I organize shit like this. Did he have a fucking personality transplant with that orgasm last night?
“First order of business is finding out why the families are gathering.” I tap the pen against my lips. “I assume D and Angelo are working the demon mob. What other angles can we try?”
Archie raises his hand, and I glare. “Relax, Wheels. I can ask my dads if they will do a little recon. They all have jobs where they come in contact with less than legal transactions.”
“Your dads are a good idea,” Rebel muses. “Since they work in places either known or rumored to be owned by various bands of supe criminals, they might hear shit we wouldn’t. That’s outside of Harley’s position on the local Council.”
“Hell yeah. And you know they’re all good at being casual with their inquiries. Mom would skin them if she thought they were taking risks and they know it.”
My lips curve up. “Your mom is pretty damn awesome, Arch. I love that she cares for all of you idiotsandyour rough and tumble dads. I really might ask her for tips when we tell her.”
His face goes white and the others laugh as he fidgets in his chair. “No fair, Wheels. That’s dirty pool.”
“Ahem,” Javier interrupts. “We’re getting off-topic again.”
“Right,” I sigh. It’d be nice to just have time to enjoy being with them all when everyone is getting along, but nooo… We have to figure out how to keep people from killing us.Bullshit.“So we’re going to ferret out info on the Appalachin. What about telling the parents? Sounds like we have to get it done quickly.”
That makes Rebel pale—which is saying something because he’s already practically a damn ghost outside of his ink. “We’re not?—”
“Hell no,” I cut it. “Fuck Graciella. I mean the others’ families. If our supposed parents find out through gossip, I don’t give a shit.”
“I like it when you’re spicy, Princess.” Angelo pulls his phone out and looks at it. “I think ours will have to be first in line. My father is demanding Damon and I attend this cocktail thing on Friday. I think we need to bring you so no one gets… ideas.”
“Ideas?” My eyes narrow as I look at the twins.
“Our mother loves trying to set us up with high-level demonesses at these things. They’ve always been disappointed that we don’t partake in their blatant offers,” Damon grumbles. “As if either of us would ever touch people tied to our parents’ empires or associates. It would only bind us tighter, and that’s not what we want.”
“I fuckingdaresomeone to lay a finger on you,” I hiss under my breath. “I’m in the mood to smack a bitch as it is.”
Angelo claps his hands in delight, then grins. “We’redefinitelygoing now. I’vealwayswanted to see my mother turn into a fucking time bomb on legs because someone refuses to bow to her whims. You can all come—a Gemini party makes Mardi Gras look like it’s thrown by a church group.”
“Fine. Back on topic now?” Javi winks at me, and I scribble things in the notebook under different headings.
He’s doing a great job of making sure everything stays in balance.
“What about Archie’s folks? We know they won’t be mad, but I’d rather tell them before J’s. No offense, man, but your folks arecreepy,” Rebel says with a shiver. “How fiery birds are so damn cold, I don’t know.”
“They’re the phoenix version of old East Coast money,” Javier says with a shrug. “Emotionless, moneyed, and so snobby that you wonder exactly what is shoved that far up their ass to make them that stiff.”
I wrinkle my nose, remembering the last time I was at an event where they attended. Javi’s mother looked at everyone at Graciella’s garden party like they were beneath her. I’m not looking forward to having her turn that scorn on me, especially because she’ll be lucky if I don’t kick her skinny ass. “Maybe we should wait until we’ve handled the other two before we approach your folks. I’m really not sure I’m ready for that yet.”
Javi sighs, but he nods. “I agree. We need time to bond further and get Rebel in before we see them. My guess is they won’t be able to push back as hard if the bond is complete.”
“So, what are we going to do about the race?”
My gaze swivels to my step-brother and I shrug. “We win it, of course. What the fuck else would we do?”
“That’s going to go over well.” Angelo rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “I guess we’re going scorched earth with the Stuhlls then, huh?”
“They’re paying my ex-bestie to torture me.” I rise to my feet, putting my hands on my hips as I look at each of them. “I’m going to burn all of those motherfuckers to the ground. Any questions?”
Their silence is my answer, and I love it.
Bust A Move
I have to admit, the creepy old arachnid did an impeccable job on these monkey suits. Mine fits like a glove and is tailored to make me look even broader than normal. It’s in this deep blue-green that makes my eyes and tan pop, accented with a matching tie and pocket square in a reddish violet color. He sent a light emerald shirt and shiny buff colored shoes to go with it. I don’t think I’ve ever been this colorful in my life, but D assures me it looks amazing.
Hopefully, our girl likes it. Then I won’t feel like a clown.