Page 18 of Grim Justice

The kids continued to argue over the play toys, and I knew they’d gotten cranky because they were tired. There was only so much a two-year-old boy and three-year-old girl could handle before they lost their shit.

With a smile, I stood, trying to wrangle Creed. He shot off as I reached him, giggling as he climbed toward a slide.

My boy. The rebel. Just like his father.

I had to stifle a laugh as I moved to the bottom of the slide, ready to catch him when he slid down.

Creed waved. “Catch me, Mama!”

Always.

He pushed off and zoomed toward me as I scooped him up, peppering kisses on his cheeks, nose, and head. I knew he was tired when his head rested on my shoulder.

“My eyes are screaming,” he whispered.

So cute.

Creed always said that when he was sleepy.

“We’re going home for a snack and a nap, little man.”

My gaze swept over the play area, looking for Faith. She was chasing Jessa and probably needed a few minutes to catch her. I returned to our stuff, buckling Creed into the stroller. I learned long ago that he was too heavy to carry long distances. Grim never had a problem with that, but he had about a hundred pounds of extra muscle to handle it.

Packed and ready, I approached the exit when I noticed a man in a dark gray hoodie. The front was pulled low enough to conceal his features, but I couldn’t help cringing when I realized he was watching me. Staring, he never moved, and the stranger blocked the only retreat.

Shit.

Something about him seemed familiar. We’d met before. I recognized his stance, as odd as that sounded. He stood in a way that seemed almost threatening. Dangerous.

Although the mall was air-conditioned, no one else wore a hoodie or jacket today. The temperature had reached eighty before we left The Crossroads.

Who the hell was this guy? What did he want?

My protective instincts kicked in. No one would harm me or my family. Oddly enough, I thought of Razr. Grim said he wasn’t a threat any longer because they reaped his soul.

But why did I feel like the stranger resembled Razr?

“Trish! I’m so sorry.”

I turned to my sister, biting my lip to hold back laughter as she struggled with a crying preschooler. “It’s okay.”

Faith managed to buckle Jessa into her stroller next to mine. I lifted my head and faced the exit.

The stranger was gone. A glance around the play area proved he vanished. Weird.

“What’s wrong?”

I blinked. “Nothing. We’re good.”

She nodded. “Let’s get these little ones home. I think I need a nap, too,” she joked.

“Definitely,” I agreed.

ALL FOUR OF US SLEPTfor nearly three hours. The kids had tuckered out from playing. Faith needed the rest since early pregnancy wiped her out. And me? I’d had a vigorous eveningbetween the sheets with Grim and not much rest the night before. All of us woke up refreshed.

I could smell pasta and sauce as I opened my eyes, slipping from the bed to wander into the hall. My stomach rumbled when I entered the kitchen.

Grim glanced my way with a wink. “I figured everyone would want dinner, so I made spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread, and I’ve got stuff to toss a salad.”

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