“Ultra-alpha?” I squint at him. “That sounds like the name of a deodorant.”
“You could snap me like a crayon if you wanted to.” He flicks his finger against my arm.
“Believe me, there’ve been days…”
“I don’t know why I’m bothering.” He smirks. “The blood loss must be making me loopy.”
“Hey, I think I understand what you’re saying.” I pat his leg. “I’ll always look out for you.”
“What’s up, Scribbles?” Wrath knocks me out of his way. “You need a lift inside?”
Carter chuckles. “And he could snap you like a twig. So at least there’s balance in the universe.”
I laugh with him, because it’s not a lie. “What’s higher than ultra?”
He shrugs. “Mega?”
Wrath’s gaze shifts between the two of us. “Sparky sneak out here with some of his special brownies for you two, or something?”
“Carter!” Charlotte races down the front steps. “Marcel, where is he?”
I push the door open wider. “Waking up from his nap,” I say.
She reaches my side and throws her arms around me. “Thank you.”
I wrap my arms around her. “Easy,” I groan.
She steps back, eyes widening as they skate over the blood caked into my shirt and pants. “Well, I guess we should start a bonfire.”
Wrath nods as if Charlotte’s his star student. “Sunshine knows the drill.”
“Most of it is my blood,” I explain.
“What happened?” She starts pulling at my shirt. “Ugh.” She turns toward Carter. “Are you okay?”
“Not gonna lie, sis. I’ve been better.” He holds out his foot, showing off his bloody sock. “It hurts.”
“I’m so sorry.” Anguish twists through her apology.
The need to punch Merlin for causing all this suffering singes my knuckles. I scan the parking lot, searching for him. There. He backed his bike against the tall wooden fence that marks off the woods from the clubhouse’s parking area at the top of the driveway.
Must be concerned about making a quick getaway.
He should be.
But I can’t muster any annoyance with him. He stepped up tonight. Handled Whitey’s execution without question. Didn’t even flinch when June explained he’d been played for a fool in front of all of us.
Bianca steps next to Charlotte.
“B, are you all right?” Carter slides out of the truck and the two of them wrap their arms around each other. After a few whispered words, she helps him hobble into the clubhouse.
Charlotte slams the truck doors shut.
Slow boot steps grind over the parking lot. I glance up. Merlin approaches, eyes on Charlotte. The urge to stand between them burns down to my soul but I force myself to stay still. She can handle him. And I’m right here if he steps out of line.
“You gonna let me talk to my niece?” Merlin stops in front of us.
Charlotte squeezes my hand. “I’m standing right here, Uncle Chuck. Talk to me.”