My Maddie (Hades Hangmen #8) - Tillie Cole Page 0,92
happy about it. “I love you,” I whispered, as the van took us out of the compound, and toward Ruth’s home. We were up and running. We were going back to a place I believed we would never return. For closure… to shut the final door… to find peace… to find much-needed peace.
*****
“So, Ruth, how long have you been a doula?” Viking asked Sister Ruth. We had been on the road for hours. Flame still gazed out of the window. He had not yet found sleep, but he had not become restless. He was still numb.
“I trained formally when we left The Order. But I was the midwife in our compound in Puerto Rico.”
“You like it?” Viking asked. He leaned over the chair he sat in. His chin rested on his folded arms. He had barely taken his eyes off Ruth since she got in the van. He had barely drawn breath in asking her lots of questions.
“I loved it,” Ruth replied. She was dressed in jeans and a blue shirt. Her long dark hair fell in waves down her back. She was beautiful. And I believed Viking thought so too.
Viking nodded. “It’s funny, you and I have a lot in common.”
“We do?” Ruth asked, confusion lacing her voice.
“Yeah,” Viking confirmed, nodding. “You’ve seen a lot of pussies up close, so have I.” The van became silent.
“Is that so?” Ruth finally managed to say. Tension built in her shoulders at Viking’s crass comparison.
“Yeah,” He shrugged. “Of course, I’ve licked more cunts than I’ve seen. You know, sometimes it is fucking dark in the compound when I’ve got a leg tossed over my shoulder and I’m deep in the magic ‘V’. But over the years I’ve become a real fucking good pussy connoisseur.” I glanced to Ruth. Her cheeks were bright red and her brown eyes were saucer wide. “So,” Viking continued, roving his eyes over Ruth. “You ever need your pussy licked, you know where to come. Just putting the offer out there.”
“Shut the fuck up, Vike!” AK said, exasperated.
“What?” Viking asked, arms wide. “Can’t a brother offer his services without getting shit for it. I’m good at licking pussy, is that a fucking crime? We all have our fucking talents. You can shoot from miles away, Flame can kill with one blade, and I can make a bitch cream in two point five seconds. All talents are fucking valid, AK. I’m a lover, not a fighter.” Viking turned back to Ruth. “You know where to find me, Ruthie girl.”
“Okay,” she said and frowned. “Thank you… I think?”
“You’re fucking welcome.” Viking nudged AK when he faced forward again. “See? Some people appreciate my giving nature, unlike you, you moody fucker.”
“I’m pulling in to this motel,” AK said, the van turning right. I stretched my back.
“Are you okay, Maddie?” Ruth asked.
I nodded. “My back is aching, but I am okay.” Flame took tighter hold of my hand. I faced him, rubbing his arm. “I am okay.” His eyes finally met mine, the first time he had torn his gaze from the window all journey.
“Ruth,” Viking said, wincing. “I got something that aches too. Wanna take a look for me?” Ruth innocently went to open her mouth to respond, when
AK grabbed Viking by the collar of his cut and dragged him from the van. “We’ll get the rooms.”
AK and Viking went to the small reception. It was dark and late. We had planned to do most of the driving today. Ruth stepped out of the van leaving Asher, Flame and I alone. “If we leave early in the morning, then we will be in West Virginia at a good time,” I said. Flame grew still at the mention of West Virginia. I glanced back to Asher. He was staring out of the open van doors at the dark night sky. “Is that okay, Asher?” He fidgeted on the seat. Asher nodded his approval, then reached for his bag and jumped out of the van. I inhaled.
Am I even doing the right thing?
AK and Viking approached. AK threw a key at Asher. He darted across the car lot and disappeared into a room. He seemed in a hurry to get away from us. It was probably all too much for him. He probably needed time alone. We were taking him back to a place filled with painful memories. He would breathe in the familiar air of pain and sadness. Walk on soil tarnished by blood and abuse.