Archie snorts, “you want McDonalds after that?”
John kisses my forehead lovingly.
“What type of question is that Archie?” I scowl. “Of course I want chicken nuggets. And sex. Totally want sex too.”
Richard lets out a bark of laughter as an authentic heartbreaking panty dropping smile appears on his face. “I love you, Red.”
I offer him a sassy smile. I knew he did. I knew all of them did. I was really serious about those chicken nuggets though.
Chapter Thirty
Braxton Hood
“You know Decon, you are very predictable,” I tell my old friend, rival, and the man who only has minutes left to live.
He looks over at me briefly, before turning his attention back to the lake where my late wife’s ashes are sprinkled.
“I heard you were looking for me,” is all he says. That’s it. No offered explanations or whys. Just that he knew I was after him. It’s safe to say he knows why.
“If you loved Marion so much, why would you do that to her daughter? Why would you allow your own child be turned into that monster, just so you could carry out this sick plan?” I question, done with his aloofness.
“I did love Marion,” he said, turning to me. I loved her more than anything in this world, and you,” he roars. “Your selfishness to have a girl caused her death. You know, I gotten Cardinal’s mother pregnant when she was thirteen years old, right after Marion chose you. She was always a weird girl. Wearing those stupid 1950’s dresses, and watching old black and white movies all the time. Her parents were very religious and threw her out when they found out she was pregnant, so I set them up and bought her the house where she raised my son. I did not know what she was doing to him until it was too late. I did not know how young her mind was since she was nothing but a child herself. He was already grown when he killed her. I knew he was sick then, but the hatred I felt over you taking Marion away and me being left with that cunt who abused my only child was too much to bear, so I used his sickness to my advantage. I trained him to go out and find other girls until he perfected his craft for the ultimate goal. I wanted him to destroy what you hold dear and love more than anything in this world. Both your son and daughter should have died.”
The hate I hold for this man consumes me. He tried to take away what I care for most in this world over a ghost. Marion chose me, not him. Marion loved me. She never cared for him. How could I take what was never his in the first place? All that he’s done is unforgivable. All the lives he has ruined, for an ill fated revenge, but even still, I can tell he loves his son just as I love my children, unconditionally.
“It’s a shame you wasted your money paying off all those jurors since your mental son still ended up dying.”
“What are you talking about? He’s in a facility,” he retorts, his eyes narrowed in anger.
“I know it was you who brought your son the dagger. You told him to humilate and rape my daughter while you watched on in sick pleasure. My daughter is a Hood, way stronger than you gave her credit for. She did not break or wither and die. Her experience only made her stronger, and she had your son broken out the prison where she tortured, broke, and killed him. You see my seed is a whole lot stronger than yours.” With that, I finish tightening the suppressor on my 9 mm and shoot him dead in the forehead. Before his body hits the ground, I’m already twisting the silencer off and walking away.
Epigraph
Robyn
Seven Years Later
I close my eyes as the afternoon sun brushes across my face, inhaling the scent of the flowers Richard has delivered every single morning without fail. My hand rests on my stomach, a small yet very in the way bump showing four months of pregnancy. I scroll through my secure line as I let out an interested hum, seeing that someone wants me to steal a prized horse. Who the fuck steals a horse? Unfortunately, my boys don’t like me taking jobs while pregnant, so I make them take them. It’s a good trade.
“Mommy!” I nearly chuckle because every freakin’ afternoon without fail, Robin yells ‘mommy’ in a demanding voice that I blame Richard for. At nearly eight, the kid is a freakin’ heartbreaker. His bright silver eyes are filled with excitement as he runs towards me, shaking a paper in my face.
“Calm down.” I grin, grabbing the paper. A large ‘A+’ is right across the top.
“Good job honey,” I smile. “Where is your sister?”
“Robin,” she complains. “Why do you never let me show her stuff first?”
Sasha's small pink pout is adorable and her bright strawberry blonde hair is in a messy ponytail that I assume came from recess. I know it’s shocking, but my six year old daughter doesn’t like to sit and play with dolls, so instead she likes to play catch with the boys. I can’t deny that it makes me irrationally happy.
“Show me what you did,” I encourage her because sometimes she can be a bit shy and quiet. John is always trying to encourage her, but she feels irrationally uncomfortable with her different colored eyes. I have no idea why, they are stunning. A bright blue and soft amber.
“I did a self-portrait.” She grins and pushes the paper in my lap. I can see she’s put in her different colored eyes and I hope that she’s going to become even more comfortable with them. Maybe the talks with John is working.
“John?” I call out. My husband is still very much the bad boy, but now he’s also a loving father. His dark hair is messy and his leather jacket is spotted with drops of rain as he strolls into the living room. John works from home most of the time, owning his own tech company that allows a lot of flexibility. It’s awesome because he’s always around to help out.
“Hello little bird,” he mumbles, pressing a kiss to my forehead before walking into the kitchen, the kids babbling as they follow. What was he doing?
“What’s the rush?” I ask, leaning in the kitchen doorway, both kids sitting down to work on homework. I blame Archie for their ability to focus on shit like that. Thinking about Archie…
“I was supposed to take out the chicken to defrost like two hours ago,” John offers me a weary look, “I totally blanked until he texted me about it.”
I snort because to this day, Archie is the only one I trust to cook for us.
“One thing.” Archie clucks his tongue, coming up behind me.
“Daddy!” Sasha jumps up and runs to hug Archie.
John mutters an annoyed curse before going to sit by our kids. Archie takes off his suit coat, kisses me, and puts the frozen chicken back in, before pulling out the already defrosted chicken from the fridge. My lawyer always checks and double checks everything, I’d taken out chicken out about fifteen minutes after he had asked John because I knew he would forget. The two of them really even each other out.
“How was the firm today?” I ask, curious.
“You’re brother is going to land himself in an early grave.” He shakes his head before tossing me a smile, “but I invited him over for dinner so…”
“Way to let me know,” I mutter, “is he bringing Kelly or whatever…”
“Lauren,” Richard reminds me, sneaking up on me and turning me into his chest.
“Hey you,” I grin.
“Red, you get more beautiful every single fucking day,” he mumbles, kissing me.
“Don’t swear,” I swat his chest.
He lets out a low rumble, “you’re going to pay for that swat later.”
I grin but then he turned towards the kids. “Where is my little angel?”
“I’m not little,” Sasha announces with a small pout, running from Archie to Richard. He picks her up and kisses her forehead before waking over to Robin.
“Dad,” he says with a serious face, “I got an A+.”
“He sounds like he’s reporting to a military commander,” Archie snickers.
Richard tosses him a scowl as Robin starts talking away. I watch the five members of my family interacting and a warmth explodes in my chest. This is everything. Right here.
“You
know,” John drawls, “we just got a request in.”
I grin, “yeah? It’s not the horse one, right? You would only be telling me if it’s one you thought I could go on.”
Really though, as I mentioned, they didn’t like me to go while pregnant. There has only been one case before when they knew the threat level was essentially nonexistent. So this has to be a good one.
“It’s actually a set of documents from archives in the basement of the Smithsonian,” Archie states and my eyes flit to Richard, his smile cocky as if he already knows of the moment I’m thinking of.
“I’ll call the babysitter,” I chirp, referring to my father.
What? You thought that I would stop being a thief because I’m a mother? No way.
Afterall, I’m fucking Robyn Hood.
The Grim Sisters
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The Grim Sisters consisting of authors CY Jones and M. Sinclair started when two authors learned they both have the same dark appetite. As one they are amazing, but together they created a remarkable world twisting and turning your favorite fairytales into something although dark, very enjoyable. Welcome to our twisted world, and keep in mind every fairytale needs to work for their happily ever after.
Books by The Grim Sisters
Stolen Hood
About CY Jones
CY Jones is a retired Army Veteran who lives in the suburb of South Carolina with her three children and two German Shepherds, Skittles and Raiden. In her spare time, she likes to dream about supernaturals and the stories the voices in her head tell her to write. When she’s not writing she’s busy chasing after her children, her dreams, and the stars.
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Books by CY Jones
Out for Blood Series
Revenge
Vengeance
Justice Coming Soon
The Crown of Blood and Frost Series
The Lost Heir
Tainted Throne
The Reformed Series
Diary of a Reformed Mean Girl
Diary of a True Alpha Coming Soon
Jewels Cafe
Amethyst
About M. Sinclair
M. Sinclair is a Chicago native, parent to 3 cats, and can be found writing almost every moment of the day... yes, that includes while at work. Despite being new to publishing, M. Sinclair has been writing for nearly 10 years now. Currently, in love with the Reverse Harem genre, she plans to publish an array of works that are considered romance, suspense, and horror within the year. M. Sinclair lives by the notion that there is enough room for all types of heroines in this world and that being saved is as important as saving others. If you love fantasy romance, obsessive possessive alpha males, and bad*ss FMC, then M. Sinclair is for you!
Just remember to love cats... that's not negotiable.
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Also By M. Sinclair
Vengeance Series
#graysguards
Book 1 - Savages
Book 2 - Lunatics
Book 3 - Monsters
Book 4 - Announced soon!
The Red Masques Series
#vegasandherboys
Book 1 - Raven Blood
Book 2 - Ashes & Bones
Book 3 - Shadow Glass
Book 4 - Fire & Smoke
Book 5 - Announced soon!
Tears of the Cosmos
#lorcanslovers
Book 1 - Horror of Your Heart
Book 2 - Broken House
Book 3 - Announced soon!
The Dead and Not So Dead
#narcshotties
Book 1 - Queen of the Dead
Book 2 - Announced soon!
Descendant
#novasmages
Book 1 - Descendant of Chaos
Book 2 - Descendant of Blood (announced soon!)
Standalones
Peridot
Stolen Hood Page 20