Page 62 of Sinners Retreat

It’s a hint, at least. Ten years ago. This narrows it down a bit. I believe I killed four people that year. Or maybe it was six. Who the hell even remembers that long ago?

She does, that’s for sure, and her brother’s murder is slaying any chance of a relationship between us.

Chapter Twenty-One

Kindra

Well, I got the story and won’t lose my job, so there’s that, but everything I’ve chased for the last decade has just evaporated in front of my eyes. It should be criminal for anything to end like this. I had grandiose visions of stalking this guy for months before kidnapping him and slowly ending his miserable life. What do I do with all of this anger now?

But then I lean my ear against Ezra’s chest, and that anger shrinks away from his warmth. It’s pretty difficult to be outraged when I’m in his arms.

“Let’s get back to your villa,” he says.

He takes my hand and leads me down to the beach instead of back across the boardwalk. Tiny white crabs scurry around our feet and rush toward the incoming water.

“Did you grab the meat hooks?”

“Should I have?”

I guess not. “No, it’s probably better that way. If I never see a meat hook again, it will be too soon.”

We finally reach my villa door, and he leans in to give me a goodnight kiss. I don’t want to be alone right now, though. Sex is the furthest thing from my mind, but I crave his company. Before I can ask him to come inside, a figure appears at the edge of the boardwalk.

“Why are you dressed like...that?” Bennett asks as he steps into the circle of light thrown by the tiny bulb by the door.

“Kindra didn’t want to look ridiculous by herself.”

“So you had to wear sloppily cut shorts,” Bennett says. “Got it.”

Kindra punches my arm. “I don’t look ridiculous.”

More footsteps approach as Cat enters the equation from the opposite side of the boardwalk, but she nearly runs into me because she’s so focused on Ezra’s bulging thigh muscles as they burst from the short shorts.

“For fuck’s sake,” Ezra says. “Anyone else coming to this party?”

“I think we’re all here,” Cat says, “but the rest of your pants are missing.”

Bennett and Cat both laugh, and for a moment, we all bond over the atrocity that is Ezra’s attire.

“I’m glad you all had a good laugh over my unfortunate state of dress. Excuse me while I go put on some real pants.”

“I’m heading to the grotto,” Bennett says, catching Ezra’s arm. “Change into swim trunks and meet me there.”

Ezra’s gaze catches mine. “Would you like to join us?”

I was going to go back to my villa and be a miserable bitch, but the way he looks at me makes me pretty certain my bitchiness can wait.

Cat grabs my arm with childlike excitement. “Come on, Kindra, the night is young.”

“No one invited you,” Bennett says, but Cat just ignores him and keeps looking at me.

The night has been shit. But regardless, I force a smile toward Ezra. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to drown my sorrows in some booze. There will be booze, right?”

Cat nods her head.

“Just let me change, and I’ll meet you all there.”

Ezra heads toward his villa, and Bennett lets out a low groan as Cat scurries off to change as well.

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