Page 174 of Overcast

Which is why I should’ve just listened and stayed in the backyard.

“I need to get back to Mills,” I deadpan, watching what I think is a hammer fly to the side of Bishop’s body and hit the dirt.

Inching en route of where I should’ve stayed, Bishop’s voice suddenly rings out, “No, you’re not.”

I want to tell him that I am, but no words mold together to make a sentence. The trust that I have for Bishop and what he might do to me is cringe-worthy.

However, I’m not going to stick around for whatever play he was going to put on with Bianca.

“I’m disappointed that you weren’t trying to get back to me.” The declaration is whispered from behind me, jerking me around and stumbling backward.

Marty stands there, the stubble of his face making him appear more fatal and cunning than he ever has before. Especially, again, with the setting that we’re in and a woman who is about to face a fate I’m sure no one will want to ever even think about.

His eyes make a path down my body and back up as he soaks me into this moment. I do the same, taking in his jeans, red flannel jacket and white tee underneath. It takes me a few seconds to notice the bag of arrows and the bow wrapped around one of his shoulders.

“What are you doing out here, sweetheart?” he asks me, the octave of his voice making my nipples harden. “I swear I had two people watching you this time.”

“I...” I jerk my thumb behind me. “I heard a dog.”

Marty detaches his eyes from me, and I feel the loss of them immediately when he flicks them to Bishop. “I told you to keep that mutt quiet.”

I take a step forward, regaining his attention. “Marty...” I glance down at what he’s carrying. “Are you—um...” He doesn’t fill in the blanks for me, forcing me to come face to face with what’s in front of me and deal with it head-on.

“Mhm?” He erases some space between us but stops within an arms’ length. His height feels like a blanket, safe when it isn’t.

Warm when I should always feel a chill of apprehension and dread coursing through my frame. Constant, which is what I always want, to be around him and listen to him, just speak no matter the topic.

“Where have you been?”

“Busy.” I nod, not having anything else to say. I’ve said quite enough lately. “Thought some space from me would do you some good.”

Right.

“Miss me?” My body waves a white flag at his words, wanting to step into his arms that are still full. I want to remember what he smells like firsthand and just close my eyes against his chest.

A pained cry suddenly echoes through the area, rattling my bones in surprise as I whirl around to see Bishop positioned with a bow. Flicking my gaze to Bianca, an arrow sticks out from her bicep as her frame bows in agony.

Without thought, I step back, knocking into Marty’s frame, but he doesn’t wrap his arm around me to comfort me.

No, he wants me to see this. To know what they’re going to do to her.

Bishop reaches down to grab another arrow, dipping the tip into a small bucket before placing it in the fire. The arrow roars with flames as he lifts his weapon than his shoulder and elbow to aim.

“Bishop,” I cajole. “Wait, she—” He releases the arrow making a perfect home right next to Bianca’s ear.

“You missed,” Marty deadpans.

“No, I didn’t.” He rolls his massive shoulders. “Was saving the kill shot for you.” He flicks his attention to us. “Unless you changed your mind.”

I can’t move, listening to Bianca’s muffled panic and Bishop appearing as though he didn’t just send a fiery arrow into anyone’s direction.

These men are insane.

I mean, I knew that it’s just that I never saw the others to confirm that this was all real. This group called B723 is a band of assassins who take out who they feel righteous and still sleep at night.

“We gonna do this or no?” Bishop’s steel tone hits my chest, producing goosebumps to line my forearms and a violent shiver to hit my exterior, but I also wait for Marty’s answer.

“Take five,” he finally replies. “I need to have a one on one with my girl.”

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