From the background wip I’m still figuring out, and that I keep forgetting to talk about (oops)
Volt took a sip of her drink, sweet but very strong. Good. This might be a very long lunch, one that she was starting to regret suggesting in the first place.
Indigo put her drink down in front of her before looking up at Volt. “So, what do you think?”
She shrugged. “It’s a good place, as long as the food is good.”
“It’s nothing special,” Indigo smiled, weakly. “But it’s good, I liked it both times I’ve been here.”
Volt hummed. What were they supposed to talk about? She glanced around at the venue. For lunch it was pretty busy, but everyone seemed to keep to themselves, no one paying any attention to the pair of them.
Indigo seemed to notice her watching. “Ever vigilant, aren’t you?” She paused as Volt looked at her. “Thought I suppose it’s served you well.”
Volt shrugged again. “Well,” her voice chilled. “You learn these things when there is a powerful criminal empire after your first mate and your son—” She cut herself off too late, pressing her lips together. She hadn’t meant to call Skyler her son in front of her.
Indio raised her eyebrows, looking over her wine glass. “Your son, hm?” She took a long drink, then held her glass in front of her, eyes cast done. “You really think of him that way?”
Volt didn’t answer right away, anger simmering deep in her chest. How dare Indigo act liked she cared. She took a drink, trying to think of what to say that wouldn’t piss her off too badly.
“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised,” Indigo sighed, leaning back enough to rest her head against the bench. “Truthfully, Volt, I’m grateful you took him.”
“Sure you are.” Volt spat. “I don’t believe that for a second. You were ready to exploit him for all you could.” She couldn’t hold the venom back from her words. “If you were so glad then why send people after him then? Why not just let him go?”
Indigo sighed. “I wanted to but, you know…”
“Well,” Indigo said. “His mother found out and demanded we get him back, so she stared breathing down my neck, and my subordinates were not happy he’d been lost.” She scowled. “I had a reputation to uphold, and I couldn’t have them doubting me so soon after taking the leadership. If they decided to overthrow me it would cost my life.”
Volt set her drink down and leaned over the table, pointing directly at her. “And you think the choice to keep him was easy?” She growled, eyes narrowed with barely contained rage. “I knew exactly who you were, I knew exactly what kind of enemy I was making by not delivering him, but I’ll be damned if I was going to be complicit in that.”
She grabbed her drink and downed about half of it before slamming it to the table and leaning all the way back. “The day I chose to keep that boy I wrote my will. As soon as we landed next, I got it notarized and sent a copy to my partner and my parents. I was the first and only time I’ve contacted my family in years.” She seethed, pointing again. “So, don’t you dare try and justify what you did, you heartless bitch.”
Indigo looked like she was about to reply but held her tongue as the waitress returned with their food, setting the plates down and slipping away again.
“All the same,” Indigo spoke low, reaching finally for her plate. “I’m glad you had the conviction to do what I did not.” She glanced up. “I admire you for that, for all you’ve done for him, and Trout—sorry, for Richard.”
“Don’t waste your empty words, they not worth shit coming from you.”
