Page 69 of Dark Surrender

Her attention swings to Kali. “Right, Boss Lady?”

Kali chuckles. “Right.” She double-claps as if we’re moving on. “So now that’s out of the way, why don’t we unload my car, and I’ll order us some pizza. Can you eat pizza?” Kali asks, looking at me.

“Yes. I like pizza.”

“Any allergies? I can order you a gluten-free crust.”

“No. I’m happy with whatever. Thank you.”

“She wants mushrooms with banana peppers,” Cell buts in with her nosy ass.

“Cell,” I hiss, not wanting to make waves. Any pizza is fine.

“What?” She shrugs. “You think I don’t remember eating that awful pizza with you when we were kids?”

Whatever.

Ignoring the blabbermouth, I focus on Kali, who has her phone out, ready to place an order. “Whatever you like is fine. I’m not picky.”

“I want pineapple, bacon, and onion,” Cell says, sticking her tongue out at me like she’s five, not a grown adult. I ignore her.

Rolling her eyes, Kali huffs a laugh. “I know. Now, why don’t you go burn off some energy by carrying those bags in from my Jeep?” With the phone to her ear, Kali opens the front door and sweeps her hand for Cell to get to it. Listening to her mentor, Cell does just that, and when I go to help too, Kali grabs my arm to keep me from leaving. I listen to her order three pizzas, one just the way Cell said I like. Once she’s done, she slides her phone back into her pocket and releases my arm.

“Sorry,” she says, looking where she touched me.

“It’s okay,” I reassure.

“Let her do this. She’s been bouncing off the walls for days. I wanted to wait until tomorrow to bring her by, but my husband said Dark was at the bar, so he was gonna go sit with him, and I figured…”

“That you’d come here now that you know he’s not,” I guess.

“Something like that.”

“It’s nice to meet you, officially.”

“It’s really nice to meet you, too,” Kali replies, sounding like she means it.

“I hope my coming hasn’t been… too much of a problem. I know Dark got hurt, and I was part of that and… It’s been a lot.”

“It has, but you’re a gift.”

My nose scrunches at her odd way with words. “What?”

“When my husband brings me new sisters, like when he brought me Cell, or Sola, or one of my other sisters, it’s what I call a gift, gift. It’s silly, I know. But I love seeing women find their way in the world. I’m glad you’re here, Iris. I want you to text or call me anytime. Pop by Dark Delicacies whenever you’re ready, and I’ll show you around. Cell would love that. So would I.”

Staring at Kali, I open and close my mouth a dozen times, like a fish out of water. Words take forever to form on my tongue. “You don’t know me.”

“Not yet.” Her smile is sweet. “But I know Dark, and I know Cell, and you’re a good one.”

I’m not so sure about that. Being a good one. Ha. I’m not sure what I am. But not that.

Incredibly uncomfortable with this conversation and where it might be headed, I change the subject. “Ummm… so… I know what you do and what Cell does, but just so you know, I don’t want to go back to what I was doing before.”

“That’s not why I’m here. I’m not trying to recruit you.”

“Then… I don’t understand.” Isn’t that the point? To meet me and bring me in? Why else would she be here?

“I know, and that’s normal. Most of the sisters feel out of place when they reclaim their autonomy. You probably think everyone wants something from you. You’re expecting there to be a catch.”