He snorts. “That’s a pacifying statement if I ever heard one. He avoids upsetting you whenever possible.”
My stomach drops. “Is Colton in trouble?”
Brody chuckles, but the mocking sound tapers off when he notices I’m not amused. “Don’t underestimate him, Bee.”
“I have no idea what he’s up against.”
“There’s not much that can stop him.” His glare drills into me.
An icy shiver creeps down my spine. “And why is that?”
“Ask him tomorrow.”
“He won’t tell me anything. The guy is a vault of secrets.”
Which is the way it should be. Whatever Colton is hiding doesn’t involve me, much like he said. I’m determined to keep my distance.
“You’ll be surprised what you can drag out of him.” My brother’s muttered tone suggests that’s upsetting for him to admit.
“Puh-lease,” My hand blindly grabs a bag of cotton stuffing, squeezing harder than necessary. “He’ll do whatever you tell him, as I’ve unfortunately experienced.”
“Mhmm,” Paisley mutters absently while dumping an armful of glitter jars and rhinestones into the cart.
When Brody smiles at his wife and her selection, I almost topple sideways. “Whatcha making, Twinkles?”
“Not sure yet.” She boops him on the nose. “But we can never have too much sparkle.”
He makes a rumbling noise in his chest and hauls her against him for an indecent hug. “You can decorate me again.”
My best friend melts into his embrace. “Deal, husband.”
As a hopeless romantic, their obvious love and near constant displays of affection fill me with giddiness. I could kick my feet and giggle at their combined happiness. But as Brody’s younger sister, I’ve got the serious ick. My focus averts with purpose while they continue discussing creative uses for Paisley’s purchases.
A shudder rolls through me and I swerve into the next aisle. Footsteps don’t follow. A peek over my shoulder finds them in the exact same position. I could probably slip away from these two lovebirds without notice.
The cart squeals when I slam to a halt. An idea forms in my mind like a complicated crochet pattern. My smile stretches as the details solidify and a feasible plan of escape stitches together. Just for a few days to be free of my last name. The microscope this town puts me under has gotten too focused over the past several months. After Mom passed, I realized she shielded me from more than bad boys and speeding tickets. Although, I bet she’d be tickled pink to know how close Colton is guarding me in her absence. But that’s not the point.
Privacy and autonomy are taken for granted. I’m desperate for a small slice right now. That’s all I need. The urgency that constantly claws at my chest goes quiet and I can breathe.
“What’s that look for?” Paisley is suddenly in front of me, blessedly detached from Brody.
I blink from the daze, but my grin remains. “A design just spoke to me.”
“Love when that happens. The project actually gets done,” she sighs.
A renewed sense of excitement puts a spring in my step. “It’s the best.”
Icreep along the side of the building, avoiding the cameras docked overhead. Shadows conceal me as I approach a past I never planned to revisit. I’d prefer this stain on society disappeared entirely. Voices from inside the warehouse disturb the silence and prove they’re still going strong.
Gravel crunches beneath my boots like broken memories. As predicted, Walker is guarding the main entrance alone. It’s almost like a decade hasn’t passed. My cousin got assigned that post when he turned eighteen and finally earned some responsibility. His lack of ambition must’ve kept him from climbing higher in the ranks.
I find myself wondering if his sister is nearby, but dismiss the thought immediately. Frankie was a scrawny teen when I left. I’d hate to see what this life turned her into.
Walker is standing under the single spotlight with his back to me. Plumes of cigarette smoke curl above him and stretch toward me in a toxic cloud. His addiction is more important than paying attention to the threat closing in behind him.
Old habits of my own slip on like well-worn jeans. My knife is pressed against Walker’s throat before he can take another drag. “Don’t move.”
This is how my father trained me to be. Ruthless. Cold. Effective.
