Page 82 of Holy Sinner

She goes still and smiles. “I remember hearing you were going to be in it. I felt like I’d fallen into an alternate timeline. Nothing made sense but it…it did, too.” I close my eyes and lean my head against hers while I hold her. “You were the man I saw when I was writing. There was no one else I saw as Bishop. And Grant…he is Malachi to me.”

“He’s also a psycho.”

“Yeah, but he’s our psycho.”

I chuckle. “You’re right, he is. And that means the movie was worth it. That it is worth saving. Just because someone is making it ugly doesn’t change that.”

“I know.”

“Good.”

We’re quiet for a moment and it’s what I need right now. In the distance, I can hear the river flowing and the wind blowing through the trees. It’s a sound that's nothing and everything at the same time. A bird caws overhead as it flies by and Kit turns her head to follow it on its journey. We watch that bird together while I trace a finger along her bracelet until the gold warms under my touch.

I could stay like this forever but the moment is shattered by Grant’s hollering.

“Let’s move out! The wonder twins are here. We’ve got to hit the road to be on set in time!”

There’s an evening filming session tonight. I wanted to cancel it, but the movie is getting further behind and I meant what I told Kit. The movie is worth it. I take a step back and take Kit’s hand in mine.

“Did you hear me?” Grant shouts.

“We better go or he’s never going to shut up.”

Kit laughs and follows me into the house. “I like his yelling.”

“Of course you like his yelling.”

“He only does it because he cares, you know.”

“Don’t make me come get you, because I will!” Grant shouts from a window and I flip him off.

“Someone needs to tell that fucker he can care a little less.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

KIT

“Okay, so all I have to say is that having two men to dote on and protect a woman is really the way to go. I get it now,” Alana says.

“I take it things are working out with Jax and Scott?”

“Oh my god, you have no idea. I don’t know how I’m supposed to give them back after all of this is over.”

“Alana, they’re people, not accessories.”

“I’m just saying. They keep staring at me with those soulful eyes and making sure that I’ve had enough water or keep doing those nighttime security checks. I’m going to hire them myself.”

I’m driving us back to the new house but I’m taking the scenic route. A route that I’ve mapped out all on my own to bring Alana from Elysium Sol to the ouse. I let Jax and Scott know beforehand. If I didn’t, they’d raise the alarms. They must have bought it, seeing as I haven’t gotten any texts or calls from Grant or Rafe. I take in a deep breath and readjust my grip on the wheel.

“So, where is this house again?” Alana asks.

“Um, it’s not far. Just another, you know, hour and a half or so.”

“Oh man, it really is out in the middle of nowhere, huh?”

“It’s really beautiful. You’ll like it,” I say and because I know it’ll cheer her up, I add, “and it has a wine cellar. Fully-stocked.” I don’t know who to thank, but the house has everything I could ever want. Including a stocked pantry and a fridge full of food. The wine cellar is the same and Rita had said everything was fair game.

Alana puts on her sunglasses and lays her seat back with a happy sigh. “Say less. I’m ready for a little getaway with Jax and Scott. I’m going to take a nap for a while, okay?”

---