Page 32 of Macon

She’s wearing big, baggy clothes, not showing any part of her body, and has a backpack. She’s got her hoodie back over her head, but the red hair is still showing as it falls over her scar.

But goddamn, those green eyes are identical to Rays’, full of emotions.

I break the silence. “You can trust these men. We have been trying to find your sister for over a month now, so please explain.”

She takes a deep breath, turning her attention to me.

Christ, she’s beautiful, like raw beauty.

“My sister told me to come find you if I didn’t hear from her. She told me Dexter was into some bad shit and was worried about me.”

“About you?” I question.

My body becomes alert and a wave of protectiveness comes over me.

Protect her. Mine.

Dexter starts to wake up and mumbles, “Don’t, Sin.”

Blink knocks him out this time, then stomps across the room to his bag and starts rummaging through it, only to come out with a roll of duct tape.

Everyone laughs, making cracks about Blink carrying duct tape.

I notice her wringing her hands together nervously.

I take a step forward, kneeling in front of her. She shifts back in the chair, but I grab her hands to reassure her.

I say softly, “You’re safe with us. Believe me. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She smiles, but you can tell she’s scared.

Then, the image of Raydene in my dream saying ‘find us’ must have been about her sister. But is Ray dead?

I shake my head, releasing her hands. I stand up, shaking off that feeling.

Sin announces to the room, “How much has my sister told you? About me? About Dexter? About our situation?”

Wolfe, Cash, and Shy are opening beers around the table. None of them pay attention to us, but Blink, still on the bed beside Dexter, looks at me.

“She told me she lost someone close to her. There are so many lies and secrets she can’t take it anymore. She said she had an obligation to Dexter, but that was all. But with everything she said and told me, she never told me she had a twin sister.”

Blink pipes in, “Where have you been? What is your name?”

She looks between us before she answers. “My real name is Cindy Walker. Sin is my nickname, which I go by now. I’ve been in protective custody for the last twelve years.”

That gets everyone’s attention.

“What do you mean protective custody?” Blink asks the question that I know everyone is thinking.

Dexter starts to wiggle in his chair, but his mouth is taped shut this time.

Sin takes a deep breath. “This is a long story. May I have one of those, please?” She motions to the beer the men are holding. Wolfe grabs one, opening it for her.

She takes a big draw off the beer and relaxes in the chair. I stand there in awe of her, watching her and noticing all the little differences between them.

“We were eighteen. Young and stupid.” She pauses to take another drink.

I take that opportunity to ask, “You and Ray?”

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