Siege (As the World Dies #3)(16)

Curtis grumbled under his breath, watching Ken’s scissors like a hawk.

Yolanda flipped through the magazine for the fourth time. “When are you going to get the stuff so I can get rid of these damn press on nails? I need some decent nails, Lenore. I’ve glued them onto my nails so many times, they’re wearing thin.”

“Maybe next time. I can’t grab stuff unless the coast is clear or I’ll get in trouble. Don’t need no Vigilante tossing my fat ass over the wall.” Lenore’s nimble fingers kept braiding as she spoke. Ken marveled at her patience and stamina. Curtis squirmed around his chair. “You’re taking too much-”



Ken grabbed Curtis’ head firmly between his hands and aimed his gaze straight forward. “Stop moving.”

“Your ass is fine,” Felix drawled from behind his book. There was a pause as everyone looked at him and he slowly lowered it to peer over the well-worn edges. “I meant that it’s not fat. Not that it’s...” “You saying my ass ain’t fine?” Lenore shot him a cross look, her fingers still braiding.



“I didn’t mean that!” Felix sighed heavily.

“So it is fine?” Yolanda arched both her eyebrows, gazing into the mirror in front of her at his reflection. Ken giggled.

“Just don’t answer them, Felix. They got you trapped,” Curtis advised. “They’re just being wicked.”

“You have no idea how wicked I can get.” Yolanda winked.



Ken was amazed at how red Curtis’ scalp turned under the golden strands of hair. “You made him blush, Yolanda!”

“It ain’t that hard. Curtis is our sweetie, ain’t you?” Curtis blushed even more.



Ken wondered how red he could turn. “He’s always making sure everyone minds themselves and he is always super sweet and gets me coffee when I’m on duty in the communication center.” Yolanda smiled affectionately at Curtis.



“It’s no big thing,” he answered awkwardly. “Maybe he’s sweet on you,” Ken teased.



“Nah, he’s sweet on Linda,” Yolanda answered.

Curtis darted out of the chair so fast, Ken almost stuck him with his scissors. “Hey!”

“I...um..I can’t pay nothing and can’t tip you. I feel bad about that. Maybe I can get Bill to let Lenore get more supplies-” “Just gimme a kiss and we’re even,” Ken said, trying to sound and look serious.



Blinking hard, Curtis stammered, backing toward the door, “I think...I’ll...”

“I’m just teasing, Curtis!” Ken burst out laughing. “I wasn’t done. Sit your ass back down.” Turning, Curtis ran his fingers over his hair, fussing with it a little. “It will do. I’ll see you later.” He was moving so fast, he nearly shoved Peggy back out the door as she entered. Mumbling an apology, he darted past her and vanished.



Peggy screwed up her face, frowning. “What is up with that boy?”

“I just teased him a little about Linda,” Yolanda answered.

“Oh, Lord. You didn’t!” Peggy looked aghast.

“Oh, there is dish here. Spill it!” Ken began to clean up around the chair, sweeping up the tiny bits of hair he had trimmed.

“I caught him consoling Linda in the communication center.” Peggy paused for dramatic effect. “They were naked.”

Ken almost dropped his scissors. “No!”

“Oh, yeah. They were buck ass naked and going at it. Well, actually Curtis’ pants were around his ankles, but they were doing the naked tango just fine.” Peggy smirked as she slid into the vacant chair in front of Ken.

“I will never sit in that chair again,” Yolanda declared. “Curtis’ nasty, naked pasty ass on that chair is too much for me to deal with.”

Lenore murmured in agreement.

Felix sighed loudly.

“Were you next?” Peggy asked.

“I have nothing better to do, so you might as well go first.” Felix cracked his book back open with dramatic flair that impressed even Ken and went back to reading.

“I just need a little trim and some fresh bangs.” Peggy messed with her hair a bit, showing off her abundance of split ends.

“Okay, I suggest taking two inches off the bottom, skip the bangs and do a little bit of layering in the front instead and let me put a little bit of a lighter color in.”

“Honey, I ain’t got a man to impress no more. Just chop it so it’s easy to deal with.” Ken frowned at the back of Peggy’s head and ran his hand slowly over her hair. He wanted to hack it off and make it stunning. The thought of a mere trim was too terrible to bear.

“Hey, you got an opening for me? I need a serious shave and some of this hair whacked off.” The voice was big and booming, yet strangely comforting and warm.

In unison, everyone in the room looked toward the doorway. A stranger stood there filling it completely. He was tall, muscular and shaggy. Ken thought he looked like a big ol’ cuddly bear. And he wanted the big man to cuddle him right up. He felt his jaw drop, but didn’t care.



“Twinkle toes is gonna trim my hair, but you can take a seat,” Peggy answered.