Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas

me to Marymount, I didn’t want to go. I’m not one of them.”
She spits something back in Spanish again and I can make out enough to
hear, “Are you one of us?”
Gritting my teeth, I shove my chair and storm from the table as a couple
of my brothers groan and Iron grumbles something to his ex.
Stepping into the restaurant, I ignore the looks my direction and head for
the bathroom, but think twice, needing fresh air instead. Heading right, I push
through the double doors, seeing staff look up from their work, but I’m out
the back door before Mariette has a chance to ask me what I’m doing in her
kitchen.
Letting the door slam shut, I draw in a deep breath of thick air and fall
back against the wall, the music of the locusts and frogs filling the night in
the thicket beyond. Trees stretch high past the dirt road, and I can see the
faint touch of moonlight on the water that still looks green despite how dark
it is.
I stare ahead, lost in thought again.
My family thinks they’re strong, but we’re as brittle as a pie crust. With
the knowledge that we’re together, it gives us confidence, but leaving will
diminish that just enough for Dallas to leave next. And then Trace and Army,
and Iron, and what will all of Macon’s sacrifices be for?
I hate that he’s asking me to stay, but I know why he feels owed. If I
leave, I’ll find success, but it’ll be at the expense of my home. And I love my
family.
Tears fill my eyes, and for the first time in my life, I realize what Macon
must’ve felt when he left the Marines.
And I know exactly what would’ve happened to us if he hadn’t. Where
would I have been without him?
“Lost?” someone says.
I turn my head, seeing Megan approach. Her blonde hair blurs, and I wipe
my eyes, standing up straight and clearing my throat.
“No.” I force a laugh. “You?”
“Not at all.” She holds up a brown, plastic grocery bag, one of Mariette’s
pie boxes inside.
Scratch what I said about the Saints crossing the tracks for no reason. The
key lime pie here is the draw, they just always get it to-go.
She stops in front of me, and I avoid her gaze until I blink away the rest
of the tears.