Miriam stared at Amp speechless, listening to a dialogue so unexpected that tears came to her eyes, and flowed freely down her face. This proposal was delivered by a girl who had traveled to Alaska to take her head. The tears streaked her filthy cheeks; and a smile was plastered across her face.
“I…I accept, Amp, oh my god, I accept. I don’t know what to say…I’ll be the best executive in the history of business,” she cried, standing and looking at each of the friends. “I do want to stay here. This has been my home for a long time, and I want to live in it with normal people. Thank you, Amp. I’ll make you a lot of money.”
“One more thing,” Amp said, looking the woman in the eye. “This is a permanent position, barring any unhappiness or unforeseen events in the future. I will make sure you get whatever it is you desire in order to keep the job permanent. I want you happy. If your happiness includes keeping your youth, then that is also on the table.”
Miriam did the only thing she felt was right. She crossed to Amp and hugged her tightly, her tears bursting forth, Amp hugging her back.
Once Miriam was reseated, Amp looked at Nikka, her greatest friend, and smiled.
“I think tomorrow evening we begin scoping out this place, seeing what needs to stay, and what needs to go, and contracting with a builder to make it our own. What do you think?”
“Absolutely,” Nikka answered. “It’s fricking big enough. A home…who would have thought it? We’re a coven of two…no, fuck that, we’re a coven of four. Screw anyone who says humans can’t be in covens. By god, we’re four, and the hell with everyone else. Now, let’s get to bed, I’m so tired I’m about to fall out right now. Come on, Rio, I got something you want; and you got something I need.”
The two disappeared up the stairway, leaving Amp and Miriam alone.
“What made you change your mind about me?” Miriam asked. “I mean, I know you hated me, wanted to kill me. By the way, thanks for…you know…not doing the killing-me thing.”
“I trust Rio,” Amp answered. “I listened to the way you talked to me before the battle, you didn’t back off, didn’t lie, looked me right in the eyes. My gut, and my brain, and my heart normally don’t all agree with one another, but this time they did. I believe you, and I trust you. Please don’t ever make me regret it, Miriam.”
“Never,” she said softly. “I feel like I’ve been born again.”
“You have. I’m tired, too; and starved. Are you hungry?”
“Absolutely. To paraphrase Nikka, I’ve got something you want…”
Amp laughed hard. Grabbing the woman’s hand, she pulled her to her feet. “Come on, show me your bedroom, I’ve been dying to see it. You do have several things I want; and I got something you need.”
Kill Wilson (Petersburg Vampires) Page 23