Marked: Chapter 34

“Maybe they changed their minds.” Harley paces in front of the door. It’s cool today. The fall breeze runs right through my jacket.

“You should have worn a coat.” I rub her arms through her sweater.

“I’m fine,” she assures me, walking away and starting her pacing again.

“Are you nervous because we’ve been away for a while?” I question her. We’ve spent the last four months traveling. I’ve shown Harley every one of my five houses, and introduced her to those who will keep us safe during our hunts.

She didn’t hesitate when I explained she was welcome to join in my endeavors. Slaying monsters keeps her mind quiet.

“No. I’m fine with that.” She checks her phone. “Do you think it would be safe to stop at the cemetery before we leave?”

“Of course. We have nothing to worry about. The FBI wrote off Agent Laurens murder as a mob hit. Jimmy Blackwood is still missing, and considering he killed an FBI agent, his family is just fine with him being gone.”

There’s been no backlash from Jacob Blackwood. Turns out, he was unaware of his cousin’s side business. And being a man with a sliver of a soul, he couldn’t find it in him to seek retribution for his cousin.

Especially when evidence was sent to him that Jimmy had trafficked a classmate of Jacob’s daughter.

“Your mom?” I ask when her phone vibrates in her hand.

She frowns. “Yeah. I told her we’d be in town.” They’ve been talking a little, here and there, over the last few weeks. “Mom is going to meet us at the cemetery if that’s okay with you?”

I hug her to me when a chilly wind blows.

“Of course it is, little bird.” I kiss the top of her head. “If you’re up for it.”

She nods, my chin getting hit by the top of her head.

“A short visit.” It won’t last a second longer than will make her comfortable.

The clean-up crew found boxes of old videos stashed in the mechanic’s shop. In one of them was her mother. I don’t tell my girl ‘no’ very often, but I didn’t let her put eyes on that video. It was enough that I watched the hell her mother went through. I gave her the PG-13 version so she could let her mind rest that her mother had told her the truth.

Nancy can’t make up for the horrors of the past, but maybe, one day they’ll be able to get back to a place where Harley trusts her again.

I’m not holding my breath, but if it gives Harley hope, then I’m all for it.

“See. Here they are.” I pat her back.

A car pulls off the main road onto the gravel drive, heading toward us.

We watch as the Jeep Wrangler parks in front of where we stand. Charlie, Jackie, and Sharon climb out of the Jeep. Casper steps out of the driver’s side.

“Hey.” Charlie hugs Harley first. “Thanks for being here.”

“Of course.” Harley smiles. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

“I’ve been ready for the last four months, but Casper said I had to wait.” She rolls her eyes. “He’s a bit bossy, this guy.”

The rose shaped ring on her finger suggests she’s fine with the arrangement.

“Well, the wait’s over.” Casper brings three wooden baseball bats from the back of the Jeep and hands them out to the ladies.

“If you’re ready, might as well get going. He pissed himself a little when he woke up and realized what was happening. So, ignore the smell.” I unlock the steel door of the industrial storage unit.

I peek inside.

Steven stands on his tip toes, his hands bound overhead where he dangles from a hook. He’s just low enough that his toes brush the ground. But when they get started, he’ll swing.

Charlie looks at her sister and then her mother.

“Ready?”

Sharon nods.

Jackie checks her grip on the bat. “Fuck, yes.”

“All right, let’s go.” Charlie’s the first one in, charging, leading the way.

The bat already in motion.