Simon smiled. “I’d never had venison quite like that before.”
“The secret is in the sauce.” She grinned and nodded toward Trent. “He says if you soak the meat in milk overnight it pulls the gamey taste from it.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had anything fresh. It was…nice.”
She fished in her shirt pocket and pulled out a hand rolled cigarette. “Care for a hit?” She flicked the lighter and the distinct smell of cannabis wafted through the air.
Simon’s brows rose and he reached for the joint. “Thanks.”
“It might help with the pain,” She replied as she blew a plume of blue grey smoke into the night air. She watched as he took a long drag from the joint, the light from the campfire giving him an orange glow. He handed the joint back and held the smoke as long as he could before slowly exhaling.
She smiled as he broke into a slight cough. “That’s good shit.”
“Only the best.” She smiled at him, her eyes glossing over.
He leaned back in his chair and stared into the fire. “It’s been too long. That really hit the spot.”
Veronica looked to the other side of the campsite and noticed Lana laughing comfortably with two other women. “Your woman is fitting in nicely.”
“She’s good people.”
Veronica took another hit then handed him the joint. “I was a little worried how the others might react to her.”
“Because she looks like a Rager still?” Simon asked as he exhaled.
Veronica nodded. “She might look like one, but she acts normal. I’m guessing you found her like this?”
Simon shook his head. “No, she was a Rager when I found her.” He tilted his head to the side and stared at her. “I was one, too.”
Veronica gave him a confused look. “You were infected?”
Simon nodded. “Not for long though.” He sighed and turned back to stare at the fire. “I didn’t lose my hair like she did, but…yeah. I was one of them.”
“I wouldn’t have ever thought that.” Veronica seemed only mildly interested, but she continued to stare at him. “How long?”
“How long what?”
“Were you one of them?”
Simon shrugged slightly. “I dunno. A week maybe.” He peered through the fire and smiled at how relaxed Lana appeared. “I showed up and took over the pack. She was one of my women.”
Veronica raised a brow at him. “One of them?” She laughed to herself. “How many did you have?”
Without missing a beat, he replied, “As many as I wanted.” He seemed to sober a bit and sat up in his chair. “I wasn’t what you’d call a ‘good guy’ before I became a Rager, and I stayed every bit as ruthless.”
She smiled at him. “I can’t picture you as the cutthroat, villainous type.”
He nodded slowly as violent images flashed through his memory. He cleared his throat and turned to look at her. “That’s the only good thing that came from my becoming one of them. Something about the whole thing changed me.” He shook his head, doing his best to shake the memories away. “I’m not that person anymore.”
Veronica laughed and leaned her head back, her eyes searching for stars through the canopy overhead. “I’m sorry, but I just don’t see it.”
Simon gave her a sly smirk. “Good.”
10
Hatcher jerked awake at the sound of banging and rolled off the bed. “Who’s that?”
More pounding had him stumbling out of the bedroom and into the living room. “Hatcher, you in there?”
He pulled the door open to find Roger grinning at him. “What time is it?”
“Time for you to wake up and start swinging a hammer.” Roger handed him the thermos again and Hatcher groaned.
“It’s barely sunup.” He fell into the couch and wrestled the cap off of the thermos. “What are you doing here?”
“Will and the boys found a whole semi load of solar panels. They’re starting the installs today.”
“But it’s so early….” Hatcher didn’t mean to whine but what little sleep he’d gotten was riddled with images he’d rather not remember.
“Early bird gets the worm,” Roger recited. “Or in this case, the solar panels.” He jerked his thumb towards the front of the house. “He announced that everybody not already involved in other jobs was either putting up the panels or running cables.”
“Great.” Hatcher swallowed a gulp of the coffee then sat on the edge of the couch. “Let them start somewhere else. Once I’ve pumped the blood out of my caffeine system I’ll join you.”
“Sorry, buddy.” Roger stood and slapped at his leg. “Will says we’re starting with the clinic and your house then working our way down the street.” He scratched at his chin. “He also said something about ‘don’t hold your breath’ and ‘cheap Chinese made crap,’ but I didn’t catch it all.”
Hatcher raised a brow then tilted the cup back. “I don’t guess Vic’s awake and could hook me up an IV and attach it to the thermos?”
“She’s on the roof already.” Roger pointed out the window. “She did mention sunscreen.”
Hatcher groaned and fell back into the couch. “What if I said I was okay with using candles?”
“Get up!” Roger kicked the couch. “I was told not to return without you, and as much as I like you, I’m not crawling under the covers to hide with you.”
“Eww.” Hatcher forced his body up from the couch and stretched. “I’m really hating you guys right about now.”
“Just swallow your coffee and find a ladder. They’re assembling the frames now.”
“Who’s ‘they?’”
Roger pointed through the window. “Everybody. And they need to see their fearless leader taking charge.”
Hatcher raised a brow at him then poured another cup of the dark nectar. “Give me five minutes then I’ll be out there with bells on.”
Roger laughed as he reached for the door. “Shake a leg, partner. Will’s cracking the whip hard this morning.”
He grunted as Roger walked out. “Whip cracking should not officially begin until noon.” He tilted the cup back and drained it. “What the hell…no rest for the wicked.”
Broussard inhaled deeply of the
