Page 16 of Cage Me

Yeah, she doesn’t seem all that thrilled with her attraction to me. Too damn bad. I’m not going anywhere.

“I’m Cara, by the way,” Spencer’s mother adds with a smile. “My life isn’t always like this. Well, yes it was, but not any longer.”

“Nice to meet you, Cara.” I give her a nod and return her grin. “I’m Drake Cage.”

“Yes, I’ve gathered.” Her accompanying chuckle confuses me, but I don’t get to ask what’s so funny.

Spencer cuts in front of me and tends to her brother, while keeping her back to me. “You’ve got to be more careful, bub.”

“I know. I’m sorry, Pence.” His voice is quiet, but he’s at least not crying any longer.

Cara steps closer to me and appraises my naked chest, but not in the way Spencer was. No, she frowns and shakes her head. “You need a new shirt. I’ll be right back.”

The woman goes through the kitchen and to a door past that, but quickly shuts it behind her as she slips through.

While Spencer pokes at Peter, I consider going back to cleaning up the bloody mess from the body, but I don’t want to draw the boy’s attention to it. Instead, I stand there with my hands in my pockets and look around at the home.

The ceilings are tall and white, helping to make it not feel as small. The furniture is all worn and stained, but everything around me is clean outside of some broken glass that also needs to be picked up.

Well, maybe not if they’re all leaving.

The walls are a dull tan and free of pictures or art. Part of me wonders if that was to make sure the abusive asshole had less things to throw around.

“This is getting weird,” Peter comments, breaking the silence.

“What?” Spencer responds as I watch her force his head back again.

He points at me, then his sister. “The two of you. You’re making things weird. Can’t you two talk to each other?”

I smirk. “That would make things better, wouldn’t it?”

“I think so.” Then, he winces. “Ow. Don’t be mean, Pence, or I’ll tell Momma.”

She holds a dropper up to his chin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The hell she doesn’t.

Cara exits out of the room and once again closes the door behind her. In her hands is a black cotton shirt that she tosses to me. “This should fit, and I’m pretty sure it was never worn. Just washed.”

“Thanks.” I slip the clothing over my head, then wink at Peter. “Maybe she’ll talk to me now.”

“Probably not,” he whispers back even though Spencer is still between us. “I think you really made her mad.”

“One day, you’ll learn?—”

Spencer stands and slaps a hand over my mouth, cutting off my words. “That’s enough.” Then she glares back at her brother. “From both of you. Peter, go pack two bags. Whatever you can carry on your own.”

The boy tiptoes between us and grins at me before he scampers off toward what I assume is his room back down the hallway.

Spencer pulls her hand away from me and turns toward her mother. “Mom, you should do the same. Is there anything out here that you want me to go through? The sooner we’re gone, the better.”

“Actually, I could use your help in my room,” Cara says, and I take that as my cue to leave.

“I’ll be outside,” I add, then head for the back door.

When nobody stops me, I return to the gravesite and pick up the shovel, intent to finish the job so we can do as Spencer wants and leave this place behind.

As I start to dig the hole, I can’t help thinking about what comes next. Getting my vengeance on Kel is still a priority, but I don’t want to leave Spencer so soon after finding her.

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