Page 109 of Queen of Spades

Not fucking likely.

It’s clear we’re not staying on the property when Ranger guides Vale to his Range Rover and tells us to follow him.

The drive takes a while, but mostly because his property is extensive. Once we exit the gate, we drive down the main road only two minutes before turning and heading to another gate.

Ranger stops his vehicle at a box and enters a code. The giant gate opens, and Kane follows him inside.

“Are we going to that woman’s house?” Cas asks. “I’m still extremely fucking confused.”

“Me too,” Kane mutters, following Ranger’s vehicle. “We won’t know anything until he’s ready to tell us. It’s always like this.”

“At least he didn’t attack us on sight.” Grady laughs. “I guess there’s always that to look forward to later.”

Ward snorts, kissing my forehead as I lean against his chest. “Don’t worry. I know you’re anxious, but we’ve got you.”

I nod as he sends steady comfort in the bond. It really is an amazing feeling. It’s almost like he can feel all the cracks in my foundation, and he shoves little pieces of reassurance in to hold up my crumbling edges.

Kane comes to a stop, but Ward and I are in the back row. I can see the exterior of a house and the huge door of a garage. It’s a pretty solid guess that he is pawning us off on Vale and her pack.

It’s a whole process as we all climb out of the SUV.

My head tilts as I get a look at the wraparound porch with white railing and charcoal gray spindles. The front door and steps are the same color as the spindles.

“Come on.” Ranger makes it to the stairs, heading up. Vale follows with her hands in her thin sweater and her long blond hair bouncing behind her.

I glance down at my short-sleeve dress. It doesn’t seem cold to me, but I am mentally and physically exhausted.

Ward wraps his arm around my lower back, and we move toward the house as a group.

Ranger tosses open the front door as Vale steps back near the porch swing. She gives me a friendly smile, but I still have no idea who she is to my brother or what is going on.

Ward leads me through the open door as Ranger stops a few feet away.

The first thing I see is a small entryway with a built-in bench with cubbies under it for shoes. Only, it’s empty. There are hooks for coats and, above that, more cube storage.

The floors are wood, or I guess they could be that fake wood that snaps together. I can never remember the name of it, but it’s in the same charcoal color as the door. It’s actually really pretty, as it contrasts with the white baseboards and crown molding.

“Don’t worry about removing your shoes. It’s a very forgiving flooring.” Ranger backs away down the hallway, waving for all of us to come in. “You picked a perfect color.”

I frown, assuming he’s speaking to Vale. “Are we staying here with Vale and her pack?”

“Oh no, we live about ten minutes away.” Vale laughs. “Okay, so probably five if you drive really fast. Around here, everything is spread out, but we’re practically neighbors.”

Ward pulls me forward into an open-plan living room. It’s massive, but to the right is a kitchen island lined in stools, and beyond that is the kitchen.

“Is this where we’ll be staying?” Kane asks, stepping around to stand at my side.

My eyes ache as a sob rattles out.

There’s a picture over the fireplace with all five of us.

My mom, two dads, Ranger, and me.

I haven’t seen them, except in the press about their deaths, in over three years, but more than that…

I recognize this house.

There was a time when I thought I wanted to be an architect. I used to draw out houses in more notebooks than I can count.

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