Page 106 of Serpent & Saviors

“If you say so. My girlfriends are going to wear dresses all the time.”

“Girlfriends?” I asked, amused by his choice of words.

“Yup. I spoke with Uncle Bash. He said I could have as many as I wanted as long as they know about each other. Like Uncle Alek, Uncle Nik, and Uncle Ivan. But he said I’ll change my mind when I get older. Something about one is hard enough. But I’m strong, so I can handle it.”

I sighed and was about to tell him Uncle Bash was probably right, but a knock on the door interrupted me. Branson poked his head in and said that the men were waiting for us.

“Run on down to the kitchen, son. Mind Mrs. Patterson.”

“I’ll take him, Ms. Victoria,” Branson offered.

“Okay, Mummy. Still think you should change.”

He shook his head and wrinkled his nose in disapproval, making me chuckle. After insisting on kissing all of us on the top of the head—a habit he’d picked up from the guys—he went with Branson.

As soon as the door closed behind them, I blurted out, “Kinsley, is that other item strapped to your thigh what I think it is?”

“It is, and I’m fully prepared to use it.”

“Who are you and what have you done with my season sister?” Isabella asked, shuddering.

“Don’t be silly, I’m still here. Ivan says it’s better to be over prepared than under. Who knows what will feel right in the moment? The best piece of advice I can give either of you is this. Focus on the enemy. For you, it’s Cameron,” she said, pausing. Then she turned to Isabella. “And for you, maybe you can close your eyes and picture our old enemies. Project that image onto the man in front of you and allow all the rage you’ve held back all these years to manifest. Once it’s consumed you, you can make whatever decision seems right.”

“We should go,” I breathed, trying to reconcile the fierce woman before me with eyes of steel.

Kinsley gathered her heels and beamed up at us.

“Are you bringing a handbag by chance?” Isabella asked.

“I wasn’t planning to, but I could if you need me to,” she offered. “Are we talking a large-sized one for like a hammer or duffle bag size for a bat? I’m not sure it will go with this outfit, but Ivan will carry it for me, so it doesn’t clash—”

Isabella shook her head. “Small is good. I just want to bring this.”

She walked over to her vanity and rummaged around in her makeup stash. I was confused. What could she possibly think we’d need makeup for? She sauntered over, holding a tube of lipstick.

“Ooh, what color?” Kinsley asked.

“Red, of course, it was that or black.”

“Darn, Alek is adamant no red, but okay, you two go on. I’ll grab my handbag. Meet you in the drawing room.”

She skipped from the room as if we weren’t planning on torturing a man in a few mere hours.

“I swear, she’s crazy,” Isabella muttered under her breath.

“But you gotta love her. Thank you for this. I know it’s difficult and if I’m honest, I hope I don’t let either of you down.”

“You won’t, no matter what happens in the end. You say your peace and if that’s all you want to do, we support you. Plus, we’ve got psycho lady apparently ready to bring bats and hammers along with a wire-shaped V.”

We made our way to the drawing room, where the quiet voices of seven men waited. I still couldn’t get over how big and imposing they were, no matter how many meals we shared, movie nights we’d had, or trips to the park. Never mind how much they practically turned into six-year-olds when Declan was around. Even Alek, who was the most stoic of all the crew, became almost sweet.

The fact that our vote last evening hadn’t gone in his favor made me feel on edge. I knew it was because he was concerned about his girl. If he only knew the things she said she wanted to do to Cameron if given the chance.

I shared more with Kinsley than with Isabella. It was clear from the get-go that she was still finding her way. It broke my heart to hear that she had sat in silence for so long, even if it was self-imposed.

We had no sooner arrived when Kinsley swept once more dramatically through the door. Ivan’s face lit up, Nik grinned, and Alek fumed.

“Before you say a word, Reaper, because I can see the words forming, I’m not changing. I’ll remind you of the newly negotiated terms. You only get to dictate my wardrobe on your nights.”