Chapter 6 Trish

" I forgot how different it is here," Faith observed. "The pulse of life is so much faster. In Ohio, it feels slower and more relaxed. Here, everything feels rushed, like people are afraid life will pass them by if they don't hurry."

"Yeah, I can see that. It's the West Coast. Cali, Nevada, and Washington. Always a hustle."

"I don't miss it," she laughed.

No, I didn't think she did.

I sat back against the bench, where we stopped to let Jessa and Creed run off some of their excess energy. The duo climbed all over a massive jungle gym area with slides and animals. I liked coming here because of the kid-friendly sculpted foam used to create the different elements. It was safe and always kept clean, plus the enclosed area meant my little wild child couldn't run out without me catching him since I stayed close to the only entry/exit.

"I think I would feel that way, too, if not for Grim and the club. There's consistency in their way of life that doesn't change. It's a bit crazy at times, but I love it."

"It's a good fit for you. When you first dated Grim, I worried you'd end up hurt, or he'd become violent. I'm glad I was wrong." Faith reached for my hand and squeezed it. "I'm sorry I left you to deal with our dad and Moby's shit. I know it wasn't easy."

She didn't know the details. I never told her Moby was the reason I miscarried. She knew he was to blame for our father's death, but she also knew the man who raised us was a lazy piece of shit who only cared about himself.

I gulped as I fought to swallow the sudden lump in my throat. God. Thinking of that mess dragged so much shit back up from the past—things I wanted to forget because they didn't matter now. I wouldn't let the people who hurt me have that kind of control, especially now that they were gone.

"It's okay. I get why you left. You needed to escape." I shrugged. "I should have done it sooner myself."

"Trish. I should have been there for you."

"You're here now. We don't have to let the past come back and haunt us."

"I suppose you're right. I just feel guilty," she admitted. "When you came to visit before Creed was born, I could see how traumatized you were from all the shit that happened. I really am sorry, sis."

"I know. All is forgiven. Truly." I hugged my sister, blinking back tears. Her words meant a lot to me because there was a time I would have done anything to hear them.

It was a full-circle moment. I realized just how far I had come, clawing my way back after a severe depression. I thought my life was over when I lost my baby, and things ended with Grim. They were dark days. But now, I could see how going through that experience enabled me to appreciate the present.

I'd fought to heal and find my way back to Grim. We had Creed. All the loss and sacrifice seemed worth it, although I would never wish anyone to go through what I did. It was fucking awful.

But now? I could say I was truly happy.

"You're different," Faith observed. "Stronger. At peace, too, I think."

"I am," I agreed.

We turned to the kids, watching Jessa beat Creed to an enormous turtle. He pouted, stomping his foot.

"My turtle, Jess!"

Faith sighed. "My daughter, always the one causing trouble."

I laughed as she hopped up, rushing to the kids.

My shoulders relaxed as I released a breath, finally able to say that I had reached a point in my life where I felt the ghosts of my past couldn't harm me. I felt free.

The kids continued to argue over the play toys, and I knew they'd gotten cranky because they were tired. There was only so much a two-year-old boy and three-year-old girl could handle before they lost their shit.

With a smile, I stood, trying to wrangle Creed. He shot off as I reached him, giggling as he climbed toward a slide.

My boy. The rebel. Just like his father.

I had to stifle a laugh as I moved to the bottom of the slide, ready to catch him when he slid down.

Creed waved. "Catch me, Mama!"

Always.

He pushed off and zoomed toward me as I scooped him up, peppering kisses on his cheeks, nose, and head. I knew he was tired when his head rested on my shoulder.

"My eyes are screaming," he whispered.

So cute.

Creed always said that when he was sleepy.

"We're going home for a snack and a nap, little man."

My gaze swept over the play area, looking for Faith. She was chasing Jessa and probably needed a few minutes to catch her. I returned to our stuff, buckling Creed into the stroller. I learned long ago that he was too heavy to carry long distances. Grim never had a problem with that, but he had about a hundred pounds of extra muscle to handle it.

Packed and ready, I approached the exit when I noticed a man in a dark gray hoodie. The front was pulled low enough to conceal his features, but I couldn't help cringing when I realized he was watching me. Staring, he never moved, and the stranger blocked the only retreat.

Shit.

Something about him seemed familiar. We'd met before. I recognized his stance, as odd as that sounded. He stood in a way that seemed almost threatening. Dangerous.

Although the mall was air-conditioned, no one else wore a hoodie or jacket today. The temperature had reached eighty before we left The Crossroads.

Who the hell was this guy? What did he want?

My protective instincts kicked in. No one would harm me or my family. Oddly enough, I thought of Razr. Grim said he wasn't a threat any longer because they reaped his soul.

But why did I feel like the stranger resembled Razr?

"Trish! I'm so sorry."

I turned to my sister, biting my lip to hold back laughter as she struggled with a crying preschooler. "It's okay."

Faith managed to buckle Jessa into her stroller next to mine. I lifted my head and faced the exit.

The stranger was gone. A glance around the play area proved he vanished. Weird.

"What's wrong?"

I blinked. "Nothing. We're good."

She nodded. "Let's get these little ones home. I think I need a nap, too," she joked.

"Definitely," I agreed.

ALL FOUR OF US SLEPT for nearly three hours. The kids had tuckered out from playing. Faith needed the rest since early pregnancy wiped her out. And me? I'd had a vigorous evening between the sheets with Grim and not much rest the night before. All of us woke up refreshed.

I could smell pasta and sauce as I opened my eyes, slipping from the bed to wander into the hall. My stomach rumbled when I entered the kitchen.

Grim glanced my way with a wink. "I figured everyone would want dinner, so I made spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread, and I've got stuff to toss a salad."

He was so good to me. "You're the best." I popped a kiss on his cheek.

"My master plan to keep you addicted and in need."

"Oh? Is that so?" I asked, reaching around to cup his crotch as he stirred the spaghetti.

"Angel, I will fuck you on this counter right now. Don't tempt me."

"What if someone comes in?"

He flashed a devious grin. "That's the point."

I pouted, pulling my hand away. "I don't want to traumatize my sister."

"Please don't," she laughed from behind us.

Grim snorted. "Wouldn't dream of it."

"Yeah, you would," she contradicted. "I married a Marine. I know how you wild guys operate."

Grim laughed hard, shaking his head. "I suppose you're right about that."

Over the next week, I spent most of my time with my sister and niece. Her visits were rare, so I hoped no one felt neglected around The Crossroads. They would have to forgive me.

A few days before her departure, I rolled over in bed, confused when I heard whispering. My eyes snapped open when I realized the voices were coming through the monitor.

Grim lightly snored beside me, and I slid from the mattress, wondering if Jessa had joined Creed in his room. I lingered outside my son's door, listening as he giggled.

"Grrrr."

Silence.

"Ghrowl. I like it."

I shit you not; out of nowhere, I heard something respond to him. A rumbling roar followed, filling the room with a terrifying growl that sounded awfully close to a bear. It wasn't a bear, though, because the deepness of it felt different. Almost ghost-like, which didn't make sense.

My mouth opened as I rushed into the room, terrified for Creed. "Baby, come here."

"Mama, it's okay." He giggled again. "I'm safe."

Safe. What did a two-year-old child know about that? Had he heard adults talking and decided to mimic the words?

I dropped to my knees beside his bed and pulled him into my embrace. My frantic gaze bounced around the room. I couldn't see anything, but that didn't mean we were alone.

"Mama?"

"Yeah, honey?"

"It's okay. Grrrr."

He growled again. I had no clue what that meant.

"Let's go to bed in Mommy and Daddy's room," I whispered, suddenly remembering every horror movie I had ever watched. No demon thing was coming after my child. I just had to get back to Grim so he could let his Reaper wake up.

"Mama." Creed sounded annoyed. My little man tugged on my shirt. "No. Safe. Grrrr. Ghrowl."

"Is everything okay?" I heard Grim's voice, groggy from sleep. He stood in the doorway, naked from the waist up. He must have thrown on a pair of loose pants when he heard us through the monitor.

"Sure." I rose to my feet and carried a wiggling Creed to the door.

Grim reached for his son, tucking him close to his side with one arm. Creed reached over and tickled his beard.

"He's sleeping with us the rest of the night."

A dark brow arched in curiosity, but Grim nodded. "Alright, little man. Sleepover time." He lifted his fist, and Creed bumped it.

The rest of the night passed without incident.

In the morning, after breakfast, Grim asked me what happened.

"Babe. Did Creed have a nightmare last night?"

"No, but I heard him talking to someone. No one was in the room, Dex."

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

"That's strange."

"Not as strange as the noise I heard." I described the sound, shivering as goose bumps rose on my arms. "It was scary but also weirdly familiar. I don't know."

"Hmm. I'll check into it. See if I can find out what's going on. Maybe the monitor is picking up someone else's conversation. It happens."

"But the growl?"

"Yeah, I don't know about that one." He narrowed his eyes. "I'll make sure it isn't Rael."

Poor Rael. If anything odd happened, he got blamed first. To be fair, he was often the culprit.

"Let me know what you find out."

He was already in church when I realized I had never mentioned the stranger outside the play area. I kept forgetting to say something, distracted by Faith's visit and my son's endless energy. Being out of routine shuffled everything into a mess. I saw less of Grim with all the activities we planned with the kids. But the more I thought about it, the more I dismissed the whole incident as paranoia.

I lived with the Grim Reaper. Nothing was going to hurt my family.