Rugger: The Huntress (The Grey List #3)

Chapter 13

THIRTEEN

“Urgh.”

My head was spinning. It felt as if I’d been hit with two boulders the size of a Toyota Camry. The attempt to open my eyes failed initially. Instantly, I understood the circumstances and what had happened to me.

“Gazelle,” groggily, I called out to the woman I’d closed my eyes beside as I drifted off to sleep.

“You’re okay, Sonnie.”

Her reassurance did little to console me. Yet, I felt at ease. The throbbing headache would likely last an hour or two after gaining consciousness. I wasn’t looking forward to the pain.

“Here–”

As if she’d read my mind, Rugger placed a pill up to my lips and a glass of cool water in my hands. Though I shouldn’t be taking anything she was handing me, I opened wide and consumed the pill. I followed up with water to wash it down.

Dehydration was one of the side effects of the drug she’d laced dinner with. Her volunteering to stand over the stove should’ve been a red flag, but I let it slide and enjoyed the food she’d prepared for us. It had come with a hefty cost and a banging headache.

I didn’t lower the glass until it was empty. Immediately, she refilled it and placed it in my hand again. This time, my attempt to open my eyes was successful. Before me stood the most surreal figure I’d ever encountered.

“You were drugged,” she revealed as she leaned closer.

She used her index finger and thumb to widen my eyes. She examined my pupils with a small light.

“It won’t be long before you’re feeling like yourself.”

Genuinely confused, I asked. “What was the point, Gazelle?”

“Ten steps ahead?” She toyed with one eyebrow lifted.

“Not this time.” I shook my head.

“We have another hour. Rest your eyes. It’ll all make sense soon enough.”

As if my body understood every word she spoke, it took heed. I yawned, unable to fight her logic. Instead, I found myself drifting again.

“Sonnie.”

Rugger nudged me awake.

“Sonnie.”

“Hm?”

“We’re landing.”

“Landing? Landing where?”

As the words left my mouth, the wheels of the plane collided with the concrete. At full speed, we rushed down a runway of some kind. But, rather swiftly, we halted.

Everything blurred as I stood upon request. Gazelle led me through the aisle, down the steps, and onto a black velvet strip that ended in bare concrete.

Tropical trees swayed around us. The smell of the ocean was prominent. So was the sound. Water was near.

Gazelle’s long legs began in the opposite direction. Though my eyes followed her, keeping up with her became an impossible task. It wasn’t until she reached the black SUV that she realized I wasn’t behind her.

She’s safe here .

She’s home .

Her lack of awareness made it abundantly clear. Finally, she turned around and came to my rescue. She looped her arm in mine and took baby steps back toward the truck with me beside her.

We climbed inside. I was handed a bottle of electrolyte.

“Drink up. It’ll help with your recovery.”

“You could’ve simply asked. I would’ve come along.”

“Asking wasn’t the issue. Your awareness was.”

“You don’t trust me?” Slightly scorned by her words, I pushed for an explanation.

“They don’t. And, until they do, this is my reality, Sonnie.”

With a nod, I responded, understanding her dilemma. I chugged the drink she’d given me, hoping to regain my strength sooner than later.

The wheels of the truck stopped in front of a home that was three times the size of most mansions in the States. It was obvious who it belonged to. The castle was built for a boss. And, according to everything I’d heard about the man, he fit the profile well.

Gazelle was the first person to exit the vehicle. I followed as I finished off the beverage. With the empty bottle in my hand, I trailed her up the steps that led to the oversized porch and doors.

It wasn’t until we entered the home that I noticed I wasn’t wearing the white t-shirt and briefs I’d gone to bed in. I was dressed in black from head to toe. Rugger was dipped in black as well with red bottoms that stood out from the rest of her attire.

She stepped onto an automated machine and pressed two buttons. Five seconds later, she was stepping down and inviting me up. It wasn’t until I felt the brushes at the bottom of my shoe that I understood what was happening. The machine was sanitizing our soles.

Click.

Clack.

Click.

Clack .

Chatter grew louder with each step Rugger took. Eventually, we entered the main dining hall where a single table seated a full family of more than ten. The loud chatter and laughter ceased as we walked through the door. One head after the other turned to find us standing near their door.

“You just going to stand there or are you going to come in, Rugs?”

Rhea . I was quickly reminded of her beauty. The images were liars. She was far more stunning in person.

“Good evening, everyone.”

“Good evening, girl please. Tell us about this fine nigga beside you. I’m invested,” Roulette blurted.

Though I didn’t know her, I knew her profile well. She was hell on wheels. She was feared by every club owner in Clarke and surrounding cities. She had the scene on lock.

I couldn’t fight the urge to chuckle. Her boldness was inviting.

“Roulette, please,” the youngest of the bunch begged.

Rome . I concluded.

Rugger ignored the bickering that began between her siblings and continued into the room. While she paused, I kept pushing past the table full of women who looked eerily similar but different at the same fucking time. It wasn’t until I reached the head of the table that my feet found their rightful place.

With both hands in front of me, I waited to be given the same respect I was prepared to give. Slowly, the chair at the head of the table slid backward. A slim, lengthy nigga rose from his seat. He extended a hand, joining mine.

“Psalms.”

“Chemistry.”

Silence pursued us both.

“Sonnie–” Rugger called out to me.

I hadn’t noticed she’d made her way to the head of the table.

“My sister-in-love, Egypt.”

She looked like she’d come from a beautiful village in Africa. Her skin was dark like the night and her features were offensively beautiful. I understood how she’d captured The Chemist. She’d surely have me fooled.

“Pleasure to meet you.”

“And, that’s Jru. The reason we’re here. My pride and joy.”

“Hello, Jru.”

The young child was uninterested in my presence. Rugger and I both understood that well and made our way around the table.

“She’s busy studying you,” Gazelle chuckled. “Come on.”

She pushed me along, stopping in front of her mother.

“This is my mother, Rhea.”

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Childers.”

I leaned in, taking her into my arms for a gentle, brief hug.

“Nice to meet you.”

“And, this is Roaman, my oldest sister.”

“Hello.”

“What’s up? Pleasure to meet you, Roaman.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

She was soft. Sophisticated. Mild-natured. Feminine. Mature.

We made it to the next seat where the wildest of the bunch was waiting with a smirk on her face.

“Roulette,” Gazelle sighed, trying to push past her.

“Nice to–”

“Nah, hug me like that. Like you just did my Mom,” Roulette requested, pulling me toward her. Rugger snatched me in the other direction.

“Pops isn’t here, Roulette. If I shoot you, he wouldn’t be able to protest,” Rugger warned.

“Maybe when we bury you next to him from the bullet I put in your temple, y’all can talk about why he warned you not to fuc– not to play with me.”

With a roll of the eyes, Rugger pushed forward, stopping at the next seat.

“This is Royce.”

A fellow techie . I’d studied her well. She was one of the more intriguing siblings of the bunch. Her skills were impressive.

One after the other, she introduced me to her siblings until we reached the chairs that weren’t occupied. There were eight empty seats at the very end. Rugger took one. I took the other. However, our asses never touched the seats. She stood with both hands at her side as she tried piecing together her thoughts to speak.

“We’ve missed you, too, Rugs,” Rome claimed.

With a smile on her face, she bowed toward her youngest sibling.

“Thank you, baby.”

“You know I’ve got you— always .”

She took her seat, finally. I pushed her chair up to meet the table. The chatter began almost immediately. However, Gazelle wasn’t a part of it. Her words were lodged in her throat, and so was her heart.

I placed a hand on her thigh underneath the table. She relaxed against my palm. The relief was visible on her pretty face. The light makeup she’d patted into her skin enhanced her beauty, maturing her slightly. She was breathtaking.

I leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Everything is well, baby. You can rest now.”

She turned toward me with a weakened smile tugging at her lips. A nod confirmed her satisfaction with my declaration.

I love you , she mouthed.

I love you.

My heart was full. So was my belly. It had been two hours of constant laughter and conversation, gluing me to my seat. Another two hours could pass and I wouldn’t be ready to part with the group before me.

It had only ever been my mother, my father, and I. For his career, they’d uprooted from their city nine hundred miles away to settle in Clarke. I didn’t know the rest of my family and had never gotten the chance to spend much time with any of them.

Knowing that Rugger had experienced such a tight-knit community her entire life had me slightly jealous. She had been blessed. And, so had I, because I was already claiming them all as my own family, now.

The ring had been designed and was being created as we dined. The time was coming. But, I didn’t need an officiant or an audience as evidence that I was a part of the tribe. They’ve accepted me already. And, just like Chemistry and Rather’s husband Priest, who was directly across the table from us, I’d protect them with my life.

The head tilt from the top of the table summoned me to my feet. I bent down to kiss Rugger’s forehead.

“I’ll be back.”

Because she’d reached the peak of her comfort, Rugger barely spared a second of her attention to acknowledge my departure. Priest’s eyes met mine as his head shook from one side to the other. His wife paid him no mind either. Egypt, on the other hand, pulled her husband in for a kiss before he pulled away.

We followed Chemistry out of the sliding glass door and into the back of the home where the ocean’s water met with the shore. Crashing waves reminded me of the sounds Rugger played when sleep wouldn’t find her.

It made sense. This was her comfort zone. Her life was here. Her family was here. Her entire world was gathered at the table tonight. Everybody that meant anything to her… and the water served as their soundtrack.

“Here.”

Chemistry handed me one of the three cigars he’d clipped the butts of. He put fire to the end that had been clipped. I puffed three times, pulling the smoke into my mouth before exhaling.

Three minutes passed before he finally spoke.

“She’s special,” he told me, staring out into the openness of the night.

“She is.”

“They’re all special but she is special .”

He wasn’t finished. Instead of interrupting, I continued listening.

“This wasn’t in her plans. Love was never part of her set up. She considered it an unnecessary distraction and moved accordingly. Avoiding it so she can stay sharp. Valid. Focused. Prepared. Vigilant. This wasn’t in her plans.”

“Mine either.”

“But, now that the plan has changed, I need to know your intentions with her. Because, she’s in love with you. I’m not. She’s blinded by her feelings. I can see straight through any bullshit coming her way.”

The sound of the magazine being shoved into a gun a few feet away was no surprise. Priest was prepared for whatever Chemistry was prepared to do. So was I.

“I’m a trained assassin,” I reminded them both, “You might want to put that away unless you really know what you’re doing.”

“I do,” Priest confirmed.

“Your intentions.”

“To keep her on her toes. Keep her sharp. Keep her vigilant. Keep her focused. Valid. Prepared. And, love her in the process. Give her my last name and maybe one day, a kid or two.”

“That’s asking a lot of a woman who wanted none of that. Not even you.”

“That’s not asking much of a woman in love. You have a wife. You understand how this goes. Everything changes when hearts are involved.”

Chemistry and Priest nodded simultaneously.

“Marriage, huh?”

“If I have your blessing. It won’t be tomorrow or even next month. But, eventually. When I feel she’s ready and I’m ready.”

“Your superiors are aware of this– arrangement you have with my sister?”

I leaned my head to the side before shaking it, “Nah.”

“You figure that shit out before you even try to play with her heart or put a ring on her finger.”

“I will,” I assured him while taking another puff of the cigar.

“Suit up in a few months. You’ll have your first family event to attend. Rather and I are wedding.”

“Aren’t you married already?”

“Technically, yeah. But, the wedding of her dreams has yet to happen so it’s about that time.”

“Understood. I’ll be there, right beside Rugger.”

“I’m counting on it.”

I gazed into the darkness. The water was calming. The peace it brought was completely unrealistic. There was so much chaos in the world but I forgot about it all, briefly.

Paradise .

“I don’t blame you–” I sighed, looking over at Chemistry.

“For?”

“Gathering your people and coming here. They wouldn’t be able to convince me to leave this level of tranquility if they tried.”

“You don’t have sisters,” he chuckled.

“I don’t have siblings.”

“They’re the only reason I leave the island. I dread the day they all leave the nest. It’s coming, thanks to you.”

“To me?”

“You set them free. Unknowingly clipped their wings. And, while I’m thankful for the clearing of their names, I wasn’t ready. Shit, I’ll probably never be ready to face the fact that they’re over there and I’m all the way over here.”

“Then join them,” I suggested.

“I will. One day. Not any time soon, though. The timing isn’t right.”

“Understood.”

“I’m going to save my wife from their theatrics and pray tonight is the night we create a son. I’ll leave you fellas to it with the ladies. Good luck and I advise you both to cut out soon. They have very little self-control when they gather and liquor is involved. Especially that fucking Roulette and Royce.”

I chuckled, “Yeah, I learned that rather quickly.”

“Keep her safe, Psalms. Heart. Mind. And body.”

He started toward the dining hall. He tossed the cigar he’d been smoking into the sand. The smoke quickly settled until the fire was suffocated completely.

“You have my word.”

Both Priest and Chemistry filed into the house. I maintained my spot on the deck, watching the waves crash into the rocks on the left side of the shore. They lulled me to a place where contentment ruled and complacency wasn’t frowned upon.

Hands slid around me. The scent of Riot found me. And, Rugger’s head rested against me.

“Hi,” she yawned.

“Hi,” I responded, pulling her around.

I wrapped her in my arms and kissed the side of her face. Together we stared out into the bleakness.

“So, this is home?”

“Clarke was home. But, wherever they are is truly home.”

“It’s a beautiful place.”

“It’s a lonely place. Aside from family, there is nothing but beauty here. It’s so perfect it feels like you’re living a lie. It’s the dream, someone’s dream.”

“Not yours?”

“I am Huffington from the tip of my head to the sole of my feet. This is a temporary stop for me. Clarke is forever.”

“I couldn’t agree more. There’s something about Huffington that grabs a hold of you and doesn’t let go.”

She laid her head against my shoulder and settled in my arms.

“Tired?”

“I am,” she admitted.

“I’d say let me get you to bed but I don’t know where the hell that is, so I’ll let you lead the way.”

“Right over there, three lots down. You see?”

“Yes.”

“That’s home.”

“Up for a walk along the shore?”

“Yes. I am.”

“Good, then let me go say my goo–”

“I’ve already said them for us. It’s time to go home.”

I tossed the cigar into the sand and took Gazelle’s hand. We started toward the home she’d pointed to across the way. Before we made it off the deck, I stopped mid stride.

“Your shoes.”

She removed them both as I did the same. I held my hand out, waiting to receive hers after mine were secure in my right hand.

“I’ll carry them.”

“No, I–”

“If both of your hands are occupied, then what will I have to hold onto?”

She made perfect sense. I allowed her to carry her shoes while I carried mine. We stepped off the deck hand-in-hand. The wind wrestled with our clothing, blowing them in opposing directions.

I looked over to find Gazelle’s eyes closed. Still, she took one step after the other. She was exercising the one thing I’d wanted from her all along. Trust .

Everything about the moment felt right. Everything about the moment felt destined. Everything about the moment felt deserved. Well deserved. I’d suffered alone for fourteen years. There wouldn’t be a fifteenth.

“I have one more person I want you to meet,” Gazelle said to me.

“That wasn’t everyone?”

She shook her head, finally opening her eyes, “No. That wasn’t.”

“Then who else is there, baby?”

She gripped my hand tighter and cut through the lot we’d just approached. We ended up on the side of a home that was a smaller version of the one we’d dined at. After what felt like a half of a mile, we appeared in front of a massive compound that was fenced in and heavily protected by armed guards.

Gazelle’s feet didn’t stop moving until we were in front of a rectangular-shaped plot. In the large patch of grass was a headstone. We conquered the path that led to the massive memorial siting and stopped right before the gray stone. Gazelle reached forward and dusted the very top.

“Richie, meet Psalms. Psalms, meet Richie.”