Page 9 of Hell and High Water

“That’s what I was trying to do for you, for everyone, draw the threat away from Sanctum and the people I love.” My protest, my excuse seems so frail in the face of his reasoning and his sympathetic smile.

“Why didn’t you just tell me? You know I’m yours.”

“Because I’m an idiot and I’m impulsive.”

Gavin smirks, a little half smile that makes him look insanely handsome. “Impulsive? YES. Idiot? Never. In over your head? As usual.”

I throw the wrapper from the butter at him. “Rude. But it's true.”

“So. How are you feeling so far?” Gavin runs a hand down my back.

“Better. I was pretty freaked. And speaking of waking up alone and worried…”

“I should have left a note.”

“Seriously. I woke up and there were bars on the windows and a security system. For a split second, I thought I was going to have to ‘put the lotion on its skin’ or some dude with split personalities was going to harass me in his basement.”

Gavin snorts, shaking his head. “Well, Evan did mention that we should tie you up…”

“Oh-ho-ho! You boys and your fantasies.” I tongue the inside of my cheek, eyeing him.

“Where is Evan?”

“He and Tell are doing what they do best, gathering intel and effectively running Sanctum Harbor. They’re putting out fires where they can, keeping people from abandoning their jobs where they can to keep things running for the time being.”

“Keeping the town running? I thought that was the Sinful’s job.”

“Well, the Sinful have been quiet. And the higher ups in city council and local gov are slipping out of town, trying to buy shelters or escape routes and covering their trails. Fortunately, Evan controls a lot of those requests and resources.”

“That’s good, I guess. But not sustainable.”

“Everyone is biding their time, holding their breath to see what comes next. Most folks don’t have a clue what’s really happening, but it’s in the air. Even the average Joe can feel that something’s up. Even the Block and the Holy Ghosts have gotten really hush-hush.”

“Like they’re waiting on Marco Vice to come back, you mean?”

“Yeah, basically. That's what we think. I believe he left a presence here, people in key places keeping watch, reporting back to him.”

“I can’t believe he found me…”

“Or that your Aunt works for the Sinful, or?—”

“Or yeah, all of it.”

“Kind of par for the course, with you,” Gavin teases, kissing the top of my head.

“And you just brush it off. It’s a big deal, Gav. This is all insane.”

“But it’s you. Your life. Which means it’s mine too.” He rises, putting our plates in the sink. “I'm gonna go start a load of laundry, get you some fresh clothes. How's that sound?”

“That sounds amazing. Can I shower?”

“Bath only. Until the stitches heal completely.”

“Right. By the way… why don’t I feel as grimy as I should after a week in bed?’

“Uh, I've cleaned you up, as best I could.”

“You cleaned me up?” I raise an eyebrow. “Like sponge bath?”

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