Page 38 of Death Raiser

“I guess that’s why you’re the detective.”

“Do you have her bones?”

“No.”

Kang swore, knowing that meant an increased risk. “Did you get her name?”

“Also no, that’s why I need your help.”

Kang swore again.

“Does that mean you’ll do it?”

“Of course, I’ll do it,” he said before hanging up on me.

Chapter Twelve

After a regular day at work, no roses, no detectives, no vampires or ghosts, I walked into my apartment and into the middle of an argument. Maggie shot from the living room and wound around my feet, pressing her white fluffy fur into my leather-covered legs. A few feet away, Logan and Brandon faced each other in the hallway leading to the living room, faces red, hands balled into fists and tense shoulders.

“Whoa. What’s going on here?” These two rarely fought unless the last taco was involved.

Brandon broke eye contact first. “You need to talk some sense into your brother.”

“Agreed. But just so we’re on the same page, what am I trying to ram through his thick skull this time?” I mean, there were plenty of things.

“I’m right here,” Logan huffed. He placed a hand on his hip, looking the exact opposite of threatening. He was a lethal assassin for Victoria’s underground glamies, but he certainly didn’t look it right now.

Brandon ignored Logan's comment and turned to me, pushing his curls from his face. He needed a haircut. “We were discussing our living arrangements.”

“Oh.”

I adored living with my brother and while Brandon technically had his own place, he was over often enough that I considered him my third roommate and second brother. Honestly, sometimes I loved him more.

Logan couldn’t move out. I’d be all alone.

I winced and cursed myself. What an incredibly selfish thought.

“See?” Logan waved his hand at my face. “You upset her.”

Brandon sighed and walked over to gather my hands. “I love your brother and want to officially move in with him.”

I nodded and bit my lip. “You already kind of live with him here.”

“Not technically, though,” Brandon said.

“But you could,” I said. “Make it technical…or official...or whatever.” I was grasping at straws, and I really needed to let Logan and Brandon go. I wasn’t their responsibility.

“I was proposing we move out and find a bigger place.”

“Oh.” I squeezed my eyes shut and mentally kicked myself. Grow up, Lark. “I love both of you and want you to do whatever will make you happy.”

“Ugh.” Brandon shook my hands before dropping them. “I was suggesting we all move out, Lark.” He waved his finger in a circle to point at me, Logan and then himself. “All three of us. We should move out and find a bigger place. I won’t be paying separate rent for a place I don’t use and you two no longer have to save for your mom’s medical treatments. Plus, there’s the whole creepy flower thing. Sometimes avoidance is the best defense.”

Logan barked out a laugh and mumbled, “Bullshit,” under his breath.

I narrowed my eyes.

Logan grunted. “I disagree. Respectfully. I think we should let this rose-fucker try to sneak in again so I can deal with him. As for the living arrangement, I was saying we shouldn’t give up an already great apartment when he could just let his go and move in here. We’ve got a great landlord and our rent is actually reasonable.”

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