Whatever Tac was doing, it wasn’t turning out well for White.
Good.
“I think it’s time to go,” I said. I should have felt wired. I should have felt angry and elated and agitated and relieved.
Instead, I felt a surreal sense of impatient calm.
I just wanted to get back on with my life, the life I’d planned with Ronnie. Our happily ever after. That could finally happen now.
We could finally start living without my past life hanging over us.
I really wanted that to happen.
The sooner the better, and standing around White’s compound, surrounded by his disposed grunts while a mysterious Australian dealt with him with what may or may not be government-approved impunity, wasn’t the way to do it.
“Getting out of here is a good idea,” Ronnie said, smiling at me. “I want to get back to Groot ASAP, and we’ve got a wedding to—”
Thudding footsteps bounced on the air as Fluffy hurried into the dining room. “So—” he slapped his hands together, grinning at us all, “—we ready to go?”
Tannah threw herself at him.
For someone so small, she had an amazing ability to hug him with her whole body.
“Everything okay up there?” I asked, flicking the ceiling a look.
Fluffy nodded over Tannah’s head. “The Aussie’s got things in hand. And by in hand, I mean, he’s about to…” He shook his head. “Ya know what? No one here needs to know the details. Never seen anyone use a gutting knife that way, that’s for sure. He did say it would be better if his backup didn’t find you all here though, so let’s get moving.”
William opened his mouth again and closed it. Without a warning from Janice or Ronnie this time. Maybe things were going to work out with him after all?
Yeah, when Hell fucking froze over.
I shot the ceiling another look. Lila had a lot of explaining to do when it came to Tacitus Kole, but for now, all that mattered was he’d helped me rescue Ronnie.
One day, I’d buy him a beer.
For now…
“Okay,” I said. “I came here on a motorbike, so I’m going to go find all of us a way of getting outta here.”
Disengaging from her mom’s arms, Ronnie hurried over to me and threaded her fingers through mine. “I’ll come with you.”
Again, William opened his mouth and again closed it without a word.
I was almost impressed.
“I’ve got ’em covered,” Fluffy rumbled, giving me a quick nod.
Nodding back, I squeezed Ronnie’s fingers. “Do you know if this place has a garage or something?”
“This way.” She tugged on my hand and led me from the dining room and out of the house.
Deep shadows stretched over the opulent grounds. Nothing moved except the pink-tinged clouds and a few birds swooping through the sky, no doubt getting ready to roost for the night.
Going home.
Like us.
“I like that smile,” Ronnie murmured, nudging my arm with her shoulder. “It looks good on you.”