Annihilation Road (Torpedo Ink 6)

“What is it, Seychelle?” Lana asked and turned her head to look toward the street.

Fortunately, Joseph had his back to them, already walking away. Seychelle shook her head. “Nothing, really. Savage is texting me like a madman.”

Lana laughed. “Really? He’s in a meeting with Czar and Steele. It’s a big deal too. Reaper’s there as well. If they catch him . . .” She broke off as if he could get in trouble, as if anyone could make Savage do anything he didn’t want to do.

“Nonstop,” Seychelle reported, suddenly happy that Savage would put himself on the line during an important meeting just to reassure her.

Lana laughed again and shook her head. “That man has it bad for you.”

Seychelle knew he did. She loved him the same way. Love wasn’t the problem. The lifestyle was.

Sabelia took their orders for the various teas to go along with the pastries and sandwiches being served. Her face still had very faint bruising, but the swelling was gone, and there was little evidence that she had been beaten by the man she’d picked up at the bar. She smiled at them with her usual welcoming greeting and waited patiently while the older women pored over the menu, which they’d seen countless times.

“Your voice is beautiful,” Sabelia offered a little shyly, shocking Seychelle. She’d been in the tea shop many times. Sabelia had always been unfailingly polite, but she never invited private conversation, and she didn’t make personal comments.

Seychelle gave her a genuine smile, feeling the vibrations going off steadily in her pocket. She rubbed her hand over her phone, unable to keep from touching it. She loved that Savage would keep reaching out to her even when she didn’t respond.

“Thank you, Sabelia. It’s nice to have someone appreciate my efforts. Most of the women don’t hear me. They just see those men up there playing. I’m not certain they hear them either, and they’re the best band I’ve heard in a long time.”

Sabelia laughed, and her laughter was soft and gorgeous to hear, the notes like little sparks of ruby-red glitter dancing in the air. “The band was good, but your voice is incredible. You certainly give people something to think about.”

“Thank you. Seriously. Thank you. Sometimes I need to hear that. Right now is one of those times.”

Sabelia’s smile faded as she studied Seychelle’s face. Seychelle did her best to put a happy mask on, but she had never been particularly good at hiding her true feelings. In any case, she had the feeling that Sabelia could see more than most people.

The waitress leaned down. “I’m going to bring you a very special tea, Seychelle,” Sabelia whispered. “I’ll make the blend myself. It’s very soothing. And no, I didn’t put in a toad or anything like that, if Preacher asks. And he will if you tell him.” She straightened and narrowed her eyes at Lana.

“I wouldn’t tell him just because I’m his sister,” Lana said, holding up her hands. “Don’t you remember I told you I’d help you fill his truck with toads?”

“Fill whose truck with toads?” Doris demanded.

Rebecca gave a delicate little shudder. “You wouldn’t really do that, would you?”

“Hannah did it to Jonas more than once,” Inez said, referring to the owner of the shop and her husband, who just happened to be the sheriff.

“She filled his truck with toads?” Rebecca was horrified. Everyone else at the table looked amused. Sabelia walked away laughing.

“She certainly did,” Inez confirmed. “And when he was a teenager and snuck a girl into his bedroom, there is a rumor that toads leapt into his room and filled that as well.”

“How did Hannah do that?” Rebecca asked. “Not that I’d do it, but you have to admit, filling cars and trucks with toads could come in handy.”

Inez looked at her sharply. “Whose car would you fill with toads, Rebecca? I always considered you so sweet.”

Doris burst out laughing. “We all change spending time with you, Inez. I’m not always certain it’s for the better, but we have way more fun.”

Seychelle joined in the laughter, but she thought controlling toads might be a good idea. She’d have a bunch of them jump right on Savage’s thick skull and do a little froggy dance. “I’m all for Hannah teaching us. I already asked Sabelia to teach a class. I haven’t quite convinced her, but at the time she wasn’t talking as much as she is now.”

Lana smirked. “I’m reading your mind.”

“The question is, are you willing to take the class?” Seychelle asked.

“Absolutely. I’m all for petitioning Hannah right now. Alena would be in as well,” Lana said solemnly. “Blythe is too nice, Soleil would never do anything like that to Ice, but Anya might need to know how to have a trick or two on her side around Reaper. Breezy is just as sweet as they come, and Zyah is capable, but Player’s too nice, so she doesn’t have the need. I think Anya and Alena are the only others for the class.” Lana went through the list of potentials from the women of Torpedo Ink.