“And how do you plan to do that?” I needed to be clued in because Storm and Raul had clearly gone rounds over this while I was at county.
Raul turned toward me. “Hunting accident. Season opener begins Sunday.”
“Clever. So what, we go down there, mistake him for a deer, and shoot him?” That seemed too easy.
“No. We make it like he stepped in a trap and froze to death.”
“Freezing to death. I like it.” Last night the overnight low was nineteen degrees. Not nearly cold enough for Miller to die right away. Especially if he was bundled up properly. We’d have to make sure no one came looking for him before the deed was done.
I ran my tongue over my teeth, licking away some of the sugar from the roll. “It could take a while for the bastard to die. Subzero temps aren’t in the forecast for a few weeks.”
“At least,” Raul mumbled.
“I’ll make sure he hits his head, so I know the fucker dies. Even that’s too fucking civilized for the cunt,” Storm hissed.
I finished off the rest of the roll, shoving it in my mouth. “So when do we go up to Duluth and take out the cunt?”
“If he’s in Duluth,” Raul muttered. “We still don’t know.”
Storm snarled, no words.
My eyes darted between my Prez and VP. “Soon, I assume?”
“If I have my way, next week,” Storm muttered.
I rubbed my hands on my thighs since I forgot to bring a napkin. “Great, so I still have to leave my woman again.”
Storm pinched the bridge of his nose. “Just for the day. I’ll make my final decision for when we take Miller out before next Monday’s church.”
“Well, then. If we’re finished here, I have a shit ton to do before I pick my woman up after school.” I stood from my chair. “Get Grizz on Paul Walsh.”
Storm issued me a short nod.
I made a quick exit. Raul didn’t follow, probably having more to say about Deputy Miller’s up-and-coming death. Better to leave Prez and the VP to their business. They could spend hours disagreeing before they came to a compromise.
I hopped into my truck after dropping off my mug in the kitchen. My phone had vibrated in my pocket.
Roja: I’m still tingling after that shower. Think we can do it every morning?
Hero: abso-fucking-lutely
I smiled like a horny teenager who just found out he was getting sex later.
Roja: We’re really a thing, right?
Her question disintegrated my joy. I wasn’t sure how to deal with this side of her, the uncertain, afraid-the-floor-would-fall-out-from-under-her side. In public, she was made of steel. In private, with me, her vulnerability came out as she revealed her many layers. I loved each one, even her scars.
Hero: you doubting me, baby?
Roja: I wasn’t sure if last night and this morning were a dream.
Hero: a dream come true, Roja.
I looked around the parking lot, feeling cheesy as hell for typing that out and worried about one of my brothers suddenly appearing and seeing what I texted Tara. But, fuck if it wasn’t true. Being with Roja was all I dreamed of, since meeting her in July. Now I finally had her and would never let her go. She was mine.
Roja: If it were anyone else, I’d laugh and think that was cliché. But not with you, big guy. Thank you
Goddamn, my chest burned. I wanted to go to the school and kiss the hell out of her in front of her students. Then introduce myself as her man and meet some of her teacher friends. I would do anything to help her feel secure in us.