Page 42 of Shadows in Bloom

“Will do,” Kensington says before ending the call.

“The beach house?” Diablo asks, knowing.

“Yeah,” I say.

Diablo meets my gaze for a brief second. “Are you going to finish Miles this time?”

Leaning back in the seat, I close my eyes, picturing Justice’s face. “Don’t know,” I admit.

If I get rid of Miles, Justice has no one else to turn to. While the thought sends frissons of excitement down my spine, I’m not ready for him to be a permanent part of my life yet. Keeping someone means ensuring their protection twenty-four-seven, and right now, in my world, that’s not possible.

It’s after midnight when Diablo pulls into a car park that looks out across the beach. The warm summer breeze brushes by as we get out of the car and make our way down to the sand. A row of six, tall beach houses stands, their huge glass windows look out towards the dark, open ocean.

A text message from Kensington appears on my phone and I read it, Diablo looking over my shoulder as I do.

Kensington: Miles is upstairs. Justice is on the veranda out front.

Me: Let me know if anything changes.

Shoving my phone into my back pocket, I follow behind Diablo as we silently make our way along the sandy path towards Miles’ grandmother’s house. With the neighbouring house empty, and Miles unaware of our presence, it should be easy to grab Justice and run.

Sneaking up cautiously, I take cover behind a thick shrub and observe Justice, wrapped in a blanket, sitting on an outdoor lounge with a mug in his hands.

A tap on my shoulder from Diablo tells me it’s time to make my move.

I straighten and sprint towards the veranda.

Justice sees me at the last second, and as he opens his mouth to shout, I point my knife to his chest. “Make one sound,” I lift my chin towards the house. “And he dies.”

Nodding frantically, Justice places his mug on the wooden veranda and stands slowly. After sheathing my knife, I spin him around and clamp my hand over his mouth. He struggles against me for a few short seconds as I drag him back to where Diablo’s waiting.

I lay him in a heavy, black body bag.

Justice’s eyes grow wide when Diablo slaps duct tape over his mouth. That’s when I notice the blood seeping through his long sleeve tee, and I freeze.

“Wait,” I tell Diablo, as I pull Justice’s top off and inspect the bandaged wound on the back of his bicep. Seeing that it’s been taken care of, I lean down and press a soft kiss to his forehead. “It’s okay, my love, “I whisper. “We’ll be home soon, and I’ll tend to your wound.”

Tears well in his eyes and trail down to his temples. As he blinks, they leave salted trails on his soft skin. I smooth my fingertips over the tears before I bring them to my lips and lick the tears away.

Diablo zips up the body bag, and twenty minutes later, we’re heading home with Justice in the boot of Diablo’s car.

CHAPTER 10

JUSTICE

The binds have been removed, but the bedroom door is still locked and bolted from the outside. I don’t bother trying to turn the handle or pull it open—there’s no point. Even if I could get out of the bedroom, I can’t get out of the house.

Wearing the soft, black track pants that Salem left out for me, I pace, my heart racing with dread as the hours stretch on and Salem doesn’t return. My anxiety intensifies. It’s not like him to leave me alone for this long, not so soon after capturing me. If something has happened to Salem, the only other person who knows I’m here, is his brother, Diablo.

While he may not be as sadistic as Salem, he’s a cold, aloof man with empty eyes and a permanent scowl who doesn’t seem at all interested in whether I live or die.

I continue to bide my time by pacing, sitting on the bed, and pacing again.

I shouldn’t have run. If anything happens to Miles, it will be my fault. And yet another death on my hands because of my inability to listen to Salem, and believe him when he says he will kill anyone who stands in his way.

Finally, the bolt on the door slides open, and Salem enters with a wide smile. “My love, I’m back.” He rushes towards me, embracing me tightly and nuzzling into my neck as though we’re long-lost lovers.

I reluctantly wrap my arms around his middle and breathe in the scent of smoke. My stomach drops and my heart rate increases as sweat beads across my brow.

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