Legacies

Chapter 17

The flames in the fire seemed to dance in an almost hypnotic rhythm. She didn't know if it was where she was or the alcohol, but she'd been more relaxed in the last few hours than she'd been in months. The low din of old 90s hits had her giggling with the memories that came with those songs.

“You ever regret leaving?” Juice asked as he flopped down beside her in one of the old lawn chairs.

She didn't need to think of that answer. If she could do it all over again she wouldn't change a thing. “No.” She said as she shook her head. “I wouldn't have Hap, or experienced everything I had. I definitely wouldn't be who I am today, that's for damn sure.”

Juice was quiet for a second as he thought about what she'd said. “I guess you're right.” He sighed.

“Do you regret patching?” She asked.

“Absolutely not.” He said confidently. “It's the first time I've felt like I belonged to something.”

That thought made her sad. “That's so sad.”

He shrugged at her admission. “It is what it is. Family wasn't exactly what I had when I was growing up. My mom was always gone. Her habit was full blown addiction for as long as I could remember. My sister was always with her friends. When she was old enough to date, she'd be with her boyfriend more than home.”

“So you made your own family out on the street.” She finished.

He nodded and took another swig from the bottle of Patron they'd managed to find. “That's when I started working for the mob. I was fifteen when I started running for them. When I started hacking and shit, they saw me as an asset.”

“The mob, dude?” She asked.

He snorted at that. “Says the woman who literally has the mob chasing her down as we speak.”

She flashed him a devilish grin before taking the bottle from him. “But I'm not IN the mob.” She argued.

“Are you sure about that?” He asked. At her quizzical expression he shrugged as he pulled the blanket around him tighter. “Think about it. We're just the mob on wheels.”

A laugh erupted from her toes at that realization. “Holy shit.” She laughed. “I can't believe I never thought about that.”

Her laugh was contagious and soon the pair were in tears and holding their sides. He hadn't felt this free in awhile and was thankful for Denni's kindness. He took the bottle back and managed to swallow another shot before I came out his nose.

Denni had gotten up from her seat and had turned in the music. “Dance with me Juicy.”

He laughed at the song that she'd turned up. 4 Non Blondes’ What’s Up could probably be heard for miles. Which is why they hadn't heard Tig and Happy come down the laneway.

“I wake in the morning and step outside, I take a deep breath and get real high and I scream from the top of my lungs, " What's Going on!” She sang as she jumped and danced around the fire.

Juice was laughing along with her as they danced. Not hearing Happy and Tig approach. He jumped when he felt a heavy hand grab him by the shoulder. His heart hammered in his chest as he came face to face with those dark sinister eyes. “Oh… uh.. Hey Hap.”

Denni laughed at the look on Juice's face and looked at Happy. “Down boy.” She scolded. “Juice has been keeping me company.”

“And wasted.” Tig laughed as he picked up the nearly empty bottle of Patron. “And you didn't even save me any.”

She shrugged and turned her attention back to Happy. “I'm assuming since you're here, I've got the all clear?”

He smirked at the way she swayed to keep herself upright and almost laughed when she hiccuped. “C'mon boozy, let's get you warmed up and in bed.”

She let out a squeal as he picked her up and flung her over his shoulder. Her wild curls hung in her face as she giggled and waved goodnight. “Tiggy, play nice with my new friend.” She warned. “He's good people!”

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Happy watched the sun start to peek over the horizon as he sipped his coffee. He hadn't been able to sleep while running through everything that fat goon had spilled. He still had unfinished business and he knew he wouldn't be able to rest until he finished them all.

Apparently the boss man wanted her alive. He wanted her to see exactly what she'd been interfering with. The tall one wanted his revenge for the beating Happy had given his son. Which only meant bad things for Denni. His conscious was clear. Denni was safe. That's all that mattered.

He heard her footsteps before she spoke. A warm smile spread across his face as her hands slipped around his torso. He instinctively wrapped his larger hand around her small ones. “You're up early.”

She hummed in agreement. “Seems I'm missing my body pillow.” She said sleepily. “Come back to bed.”

He let go of her hands and drained the last of his coffee. “You got it.”
The smile on her face was worth everything in the world. She was his new home. She was his light in the darkness. He slid his arm around her and pulled her into him as he dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “Just don't hog the blanket.”
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