of the kitchen, and into the large hallway, all the while ignoring her screams. She might be taller than me, but I’m stronger than I look. It was survival of the fittest in the Foster household. My brothers might have protected me from outside dangers, but at home I was just one of the boys, which meant if they hurt me, I was expected to hurt them back twice as bad.
I drag her across the black and white tile and out the massive door, pulling her down the steps, before tossing her aside and wiping my hands on my jeans.
“You should have gone with Erza, dumbass,” I tell her. I walk up the steps past a laughing Erza and back into the kitchen, where everyone is talking animatedly.
“Now, where’s this sandwich?”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Reign
I’m in the bay Kermit allocated to me, underneath a ‘92 Ford bronco, when a foot taps mine.
With a sigh, I wipe my hands on the rag I have tucked into my overall pocket and slide out from underneath the truck on the squeaky wheeled creeper.
“Yes?” I ask patiently when I see Priest looking down at me. So far, he has been out to check up on me twice, Saint has been here three times, and even Bates has been out, although I’m sure he just came to feel me up.
“I brought you some lunch,” he offers.
Okay, so I forgive him. You can piss me off like nobody’s business, but chances are if you bring me food or coffee, I’ll forgive you.
“So, what have we got?” I question, walking out to the picnic tables outside.
“One of the old ladies made sandwiches. There are some chips in here too,” he says, pulling the food out of the bag and placing it on the table. “And two Cokes.”
“Oh, thank God. It’s hotter than Hades’s balls in the garage. You really need some AC,” I complain.
“We have it. The damn thing is just always conking out.” He shrugs.
“Can I take a look?”
He opens his mouth to tell me no, I can tell, but he stops himself and with a reluctant sigh, agrees.
“Knock yourself out, but be careful, the thing is old as fuck and as temperamental as Kermit.”
“Fuck you!” we hear yelled from inside the garage, making us both laugh.
“So, how is your first day going?” Priest asks while I bite into the juicy roast beef sandwich and groan in appreciation.
I swallow before answering, not even trying to hide my smile.
“It’s good. The guys are a hoot and Kermit is a sweetheart.”
“The fuck I am!” Kermit roars from inside, making me smile.
“You know what would make it even better?” I ask him, finishing the sandwich far quicker than usual. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I started eating.
“What’s that?”
“If you guys stop hovering. I swear you’re worse than my brothers.” I frown, thinking about them but brush it aside. I don’t have time to dwell on them right now.
“We aren’t hovering,” Priest argues.
“You’re hovering,” I repeat.
“We don’t hover,” he grunts.
“You’re hovering!” Kermit yells.
Priest’s shoulders drop. “Okay, fine, we’ll back off. We just know what the guys can be like. We wanted to make sure you hadn’t bitten off more than you could chew.”
“Priest, the second I stepped through Carnage gates, I knew I had bitten off more than I could chew. I’ve been winging it ever since,” I admit, making him laugh.
“Only you could bag three presidents and a job while winging it.”
“I’m good under pressure.”
“You punched Bates,” he reminds me, making me throw my hands up in exasperation.
“It was one time. Why does everyone keep bringing it up?” I snarl, making his shoulders shake with laughter.
“Maybe it’s because you’re still alive. People are wondering what kind of voodoo your pussy has bespelled him with,” he whispers in my ear.
“You’re all nuts. And just saying, referring to my tunnel of loving as a voodoo pussy means your ticket for a ride later has been revoked.”
“Tunnel of loving? Jesus, never call it that again.”
“Cave of wonder? Cavern of—no, not cavern, that makes it sound ginormous,” I muse, drifting off while I try to think of a more fitting name.
“Okay, as fascinating as that conversation has been, you have a walk-in to take care of, Reign,” Kermit calls, poking his head around the corner.
“Gotta go. Kiss me, handsome,” I tell Priest with a smile, tossing all my trash in the bag.
“So demanding,” he teases, slanting his mouth over mine in a kiss that is not suitable for work. Now I’m going to