It felt like a magnet drawing us both to the cliff’s edge, and we watched the truck start sinking. I was frozen to that spot long after it disappeared, watching the waves crash against the rocks like the shit never even happened.
Well…later, bad mob guy with a tiny, detached pecker. Bon voyage.
No use feeling shitty about it, I guess. I reminded myself that this guy had big plans in hurting that barely twenty-year-old in my house. He deserved everything he got. I hope that blood is scented from miles away and whatever is lurking down there makes a quick buffet outta the bastard. Now, I feel better. Malek’s calloused fingers laced through mine, and he turned his face towards me. He really is fucking beautiful. I’m a fool and a liar to think any other way.
“Thank you.”
“I told you I’d do this. You don’t have to thank me. Her safety and steady pulse are thanks enough. How many more are left on your list?”
He glanced back down at the water.
“Three. Kendall has two more brothers. Then there’s Nolan O’Dell. That’s the last of ‘em. The rest of my list isn’t your cross to bear.” I didn’t realize there was more on his list, but…suddenly I find myself leaning towards wanting to help with that too. I didn’t say so. I might not for a while. For now…I’m more interested in this game of truth or dare.
“Let’s get outta here,” I smiled, turning us to make our way back down the path. He’s started something, and I’m not sure if he even knows that we’re both about to head down a path that neither of us are probably ready for. But we’re about to find out.
CHAPTER 20
The Executioner
I like this place.
Secluded in the woods, just enough to be private, but not enough to be creepy. It’s a two-story fishing cabin, decorated with old nets, way too much 90’s era seashell print, and a cottage-core touch clearly rendered by Seven’s mother. It’s so opposite of what one would think that family enjoys when they’re not looking after the neighborhood deceased. I can see why it’s a getaway. They made me shower first, and while Seven was taking hers, I poked around, looking for all the evidence of what she was like as a child. There wasn’t much, but I did find a giant jar of lollies on the kitchen counter, and some board games under the oak coffee table in the living room where Bridget was getting comfortable.
Now, we’re squabbling over Scrabble and my fucking life is complete.
A cherry-vanilla lollipop raked back and forth over my bottom teeth while I smiled and shook my ass on the floral print couch across from bitchy Bridget. “C-O-N-D-O-M…triple word, thirty-six points.And…fantastic advice from me to you. Suck it, Bridget Byrne.” Seven giggled from her spot beside me, checking her tiles while I spun the Scrabble board towards my sister.
“Oh, look…C-U-N-T.” She placed her tiles, and I grinned past the lollipop stick, watching her. “Perfect word for you, and twelve more points for me. Get fucked.”
“Sorry…that word isn’t found in the Webster’s dictionary. And vagina would give you twenty-two points.” I winked at her.
“Itisa fucking word! You’re such a cheating bastard!”
“Is it weird that I always find the word ‘slut’?” Seven smiled, sliding the tiles on her rack and studying them.
“Hooker gives more points,” I grinned, teetering my lollipop…suggestively…with my tongue. I made sure she saw my dimple before she whacked me in the arm.
“I’ve got nothing. Here.” She started spelling out the word ‘late’ and my eyes boggled. Lollipop frozen in between my teeth. “A whopping eight points. Slayin’.”
“Wholly inappropriate time to use that shit, Seven Grey. You tryin’ to gimme a heart attack?” I don’t think she realized what I meant…until shedid, and added an R so fast I thought she’d knock the board off the table. I snorted. “Now you have ten,” I laughed.
“This game sucks,” Bridget whined, shoving potato chips into her mouth.
“Or you just suckatit.” I barely got the last word out before a pillow hit my face. I looked up and my bratty sister was pulling a blanket over herself, clearly done with the game. Always a sore loser. I picked a few tiles from the board and made another word at the bottom of it, turning it towards Viper.
B-E-D…
We locked eyes, and I raised an inquisitive brow, pulling my lolli out of my mouth slowly and swirling my tongue around it. It got a smirk, and an eye roll out of her, but she nodded. I’m choosing to give myself all the winning points for this move. You can’t tell me it wasn’t clever as fuck. I’m just shocked itworked. She set her tray next to the board and got up. I watched her walk to the stairs, hair damp, every sexy tattoo on her bare legs showing in that tiny pair of black shorts and an oversizedt-shirt…I know she’s not wearing a bra. I’m willing to bet she skipped another thing she knows I’ll tear off too. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, hand on the rail and tipped her chin over her shoulder. I crunched on what was left of the lollipop.
“Night loser,” I barked, snapping up from the couch. Bridget shoved her middle finger up from beneath her blanket. I grabbed a handful of lollies from the jar I’d brought into the living room and practically sprinted up the stairs behind my daydream.
The room she led me into kinda feels like stepping into a time machine. There’s another four-post bed, this one heavy wood with matching bedroom furniture and a ruffled ancient bedspread. But it’s cozy. “Gotta be your parents’ room,” I grinned, unwrapping another lollipop and sticking it into my mouth.
“It’s the biggest bed. And the softest mattress. I offered it to Bridget, but she said she didn’t wanna sleep upstairs if that’s where we’d be. Can’t say I blame her for it.” I might be superstitious, and I know all about what they say happened to the fucking cat, but my curiosity’s always been an incurable thing. I started pulling the first drawer within reach and Seven slammed it shut. “For the love of God, please don’t. If you find anything close to what you were looking for inmyhouse, you’ll scar me for life.”
“Valid.”
She shut the door and hopped onto the bed, sitting Indian-style while I meddled with ceramic figurines and lace doilies, slowly pacing around the bedroom. I really do like it here. The time warp is so much fun.
