Page 63 of Storm's Deliverance

“Good job I have a few bottles of my homebrew saved behind the bar.” Enzo grins.

Once a mountainof Chinese takeout had been ordered, we all sat around the fire pit, our moms laughing about all the hell they caused our dads over the years.

“It’s what caused the fucking grey,” Hawk says, pointing to his head. “I was once a fucking Adonis. Women fell at my feet.” He pouts.

Josie slaps him around the back of the head, glaring at him.

“You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted at my feet, sweetheart.” He winks.

We all laugh. Storm is sat curled on my lap, my thumb absently stroking her bare thigh. My gaze lands on Ghost; he’s glaring at my thumb, his eyes glacial. I stop and remove my hand from Storm’s thigh, and he then gives me a nod of approval.

Storm looks at me. “Why did you stop?” she asks confused.

I look to her dad. She follows my line of sight, huffs, grabs my hand, and places it on her clothed breast, all while glaring defiantly and flipping off her dad with her free hand.

I choke on my drink. “Fuck, BB, are you trying to get me killed?” I choke a laugh.

She turns her attention to me, lowering her mouth to mine and pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “He won’t kill you. He loves me too much to cause me that much pain. Give him time. He will get used to it,” she assures me.

I wanted to tell her I will be on his shit list for a long time until he accepts his daughter is with me, no doubt getting all the shit runs.

Distracting me from my thoughts, Star starts laughing, showing Mom and the other ol’ ladies something on her phone. Storm gives me a side glance, wondering what has them in hysterics.

“What the fuck has got you laughing so hard?” Ghost asks.

Star wipes the tears from her eyes, turns her phone around to show us all, while increasing the volume.

A news reporter stands in front of the camera. I shift Storm and I forward. “I’m stood outside St. Agustas church, a normal quiet peaceful place of worship, but what happened here is anything but peaceful.” I give Storm a look; it’s the church from across the bar. The woman continues. “What I’m about to show you may shock and offend. I advise you to look away if you are of a nervous disposition,” she warns. A video clip plays, showing nuns running around laughing. Some are dry humping the statues, while other nuns appear to be having an orgy amongst the gravestones. Storm looks at me, her eyes wide. “It is believed someone spiked the holy water, drugging the poor nuns,” the reporter continues. “Police tried to take samples of the holy water, but it was bone dry. The nuns had drunk it all.”

“I didn’t think they’d drink the holy water. I thought it was just for blessings,” Storm mutters, her face in stunned shock.

“Some drink it in small amounts as an act of devotion,” I tell her.

“Oh my god, Storm, that’s the font you poured Enzo’s home brew into!” Maisy gasps in realisation.

Every single member looks to Storm. She shifts uncomfortably. “I didn’t think they would drink it!” she argues defensively.

“You spiked the holy water?” Star asks, her face contorting in such a way, I can’t tell if she’s having a stroke or trying to hold in a fart.

“Yes. I was drunk, okay? I thought it was funny,” Storm winces.

Star throws her head back and roars with laughter, as does everyone else. Storm looks to each of them before allowing herself to laugh with them.

“Jesus, I hope you have enough savings for bail, because you’re going to need it,” Spider says, laughing while slapping on my shoulder. I look to Storm who is laughing, her eyes alight with love and laughter.

“She can get arrested as many times as she fucking wants if it means she is this happy,” I state.

Spider clinks his beer bottle with mine. “Their happiness is our reward. Their tears are our revenge,” Spider states.

Foo Fighters Everlong acoustic version comes on, and I shift Storm off my lap and stand, taking her hand in mine. I slowly dance with her around the fire. Her eyes are wide with surprise at first, but she soon relaxes into me and the music.

“I didn’t know you could dance,” she whispers, a small smile playing on her lips.

“I don’t, but I want to dance with you,” I answer, before pressing my lips to hers in a soft possessive kiss.

“That’s enough of that shit,” Ghost bellows over the music, making us both smile as we break the kiss. I pull back slightly as she looks across to her dad and flips him off, giving him the middle finger.

“That’s my girl!” Star yells, raising her glass.