Kill Wilson (Petersburg Vampires) (26 page)

“Now that it’s over, I’m not sure what I’m doing,” she
started. “I never let myself think this far ahead. I know it came up a couple
of times, but I never thought about it seriously. We won…and we lost, because
we lost Robert. That’s part of war, but it’s a part I don’t like. I’m thankful
to all three of you for sticking with me. I thank you, Rio and Nikka, for being
my best friends.”

“What do we do now, Amp?” Rio asked. The future had
always been his major concern, never wanting to go through the loneliness and
depression that he had lived after leaving the Army.

“If you want, you stay here with Nikka and me. I’m hoping
it’s what you want. If not, you’ll always have a home here.”

“I want to stay,” Rio said. “This is where I belong, with
you guys.”

“Good. Then as of now, Rio is the head of security for
this compound. You’ll need to get an inventory of everything on the grounds,
let me know if we need anything…you know the drill. I’ll leave you alone, and
you take care of that facet. Okay?”

Rio couldn’t get the smile off his face.
“Absolutely; and thanks, Amp.”

“No. Thank you, Rio. This would have been a cluster fuck
without you. Miriam, what do we do with you?”

Miriam had a look of doubt on her face, not sure where
her place in the world was anymore? She had not had to think about that in
almost a hundred years. Now suddenly she was homeless, unemployed, and without
a friend in the world.

“I guess if you were going to kill me, you would have
done it already,” she said, trying to smile, but not succeeding, knowing she
was speaking the truth, knowing how close to dying she had come. “I don’t know
what I’m going to do. I’ll get some of my stuff from upstairs, if that’s okay, and
then I’ll hitch a ride into town.”

“If that’s what you want, that’s fine. Listen to my offer
first, and then make up your mind. I’ve claimed everything that Wilson owned…everything.
This is my right, validated by Lord Morgan and Lord Alexander. What that means
is all of his holdings, companies, funds, and whatever else out there belongs
to me. I’m offering you the position, in whatever controlling company we set up,
as president and chief operating officer, responsible for the entire business.
I suppose that’s a lot of what you’ve been doing, without any title. This will
be completely legitimate, with a generous compensation
package,
that
we will discuss at a later time. If you would like, you may remain
living here as before. If not, you’re more than welcome to move to town.
Personally, I hope you stay. Rio believes in you…and so do Nikka and
I
.”

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.”