Payback (Dueling Devils 2)

“Perfect lil’ home maker, aren’t you?”

“You got something you want to say to me, Gia?” Ardy stood, disposed of the stray glass in the dustpan and came to stand in front of the woman who’d been a thorn in her side for the past twenty-four hours. She spread her arms out. “Now’s the time, the kids are asleep, Demon is who knows where and I’m about done listening to your incoherent rambling. Either say what ‘s sticking in your craw or take your drunk ass to bed. I hope you had fun on your binge, because it’s the last one you’ll behaving. In case you forgot, we’re on high alert. That means we need to ready to move at a moment’s notice. How do you plan on doing that when you’re wasted? I have two kids who are my top priority and I have no problem leaving your ass in the dust if you become a dead weight.”

Gia chuckled. “I see why you work. I didn’t before.”

“Fuck this shit.” Ardy growled and turned on her heel.

“It’s not that I love D. He was just the only thing I had for a long time. You took that away. His priorities are different now and I’m alone.”

The words stopped her in mid-step. Ardy turned around and peered at the woman who seemed to have shrank into herself.

“He’s one of the few people I trust. It’s a harsh reality check.”

“If you don’t want to fuck him why do you think you’re suddenly cut off?” Ardy placed her hands on her hips. “That’s fucking stupid.”

Gia’s perfect pout formed a circle. “”You don’t mind?”

“As long as you stop acting like you’re going to Misery my ass and try to take my place every minute, no. I trust him. I’m not the jealous type. But I will most certainly protect what’s mine, you keen?”

Gia snickered, coaxing a reluctant smile from Ardy. Next to Dani, she was the only other female she’d really been in contact with one on one. “Yeah I know, my accent gets worse when I’m pissed. Stop being a silly bitch and get your shit together. Your friendship isn’t over it’s just…changed. No. I don’t like that you slept with him but what am I going to do? You own a business and he half way trusts you that says a lot.”

Gia hiccupped. Her eyes grew glossy and she sniffed. “I’m sorry. I—I don’t know how to be friends with other females. My life…Where I came from it was all a competition. You couldn’t trust another female or you’d find yourself stabbed in the back.”

“Where the hell did you come from?” Ardy asked, narrowing her eyes to study the beauty with a slight accent.

“Nowhere good.” Shadows moved across her eyes and understanding came to Ardy. Hurt people, hurt people. She hadn’t lashed out because she wanted Demon for herself. She lashed out because they were happy and she saw Ardy as someone taking away something precious. Her mind returned to the words Demon spoke about darkness. Like attracts like. “Well, I don’t know many girls here, so how about we call a truce and give this friend thing a try?”

“You’d do that after I was such a huge bitch to you?” Gia whispered.

“Seeing as how we’re stuck in this small space for who knows how long and I don’t know anyone else, yes.” Ardy nodded.

“O-okay.” Gia gave a shaky smile.

“Excellent and as my first act as your friend, I’m going to tell you to take two aspirin and drink at least a glass of water and take your tipsy ass to bed.”

Gia laughed. “I could like you.”

“If you stop being a bitch I think I could like you too.” Ardy smiled. This wasn’t what she expected, but it felt right. Never one to kick a person when they were down, she extended an olive branch. Not to say she wouldn’t be watching her like a hawk. Women could be scandalous and scheming.

“I think that’s a good idea,” Gia said.

“Okay, but how about you sit and I’ll get the water. Your track record with glasses is shot right now.”

Gia bobbed her head and carefully walked to the table. Her brow came to a point and her nose crinkled.

The concentration she needed to use just for that simple act made Ardy want to laugh. She’s like a damn toddler right now. She reached the table and Ardy quickly supplied with meds and a tall glass of water. “What exactly where you trying to accomplish polishing off half a bottle of whiskey?” she asked, leaning against the counter.

“Oblivion. The only thing that keeps the movies in my head at bay.” She kept her gaze down.

Ardy decided not to press. “I don’t know if it’ll be worth it in the morning.”

“Anything is better than night of tossing and turning, relieving that shit.” Gia shuddered.

“You’re not from here, are you?” Ardy asked.

“No, I’m from the Islands, originally.”

It wasn’t lost on Ardy that she kept which one to herself.