Page 100 of Fracture

I smirk and shrug. “Sure am.”Except for that guy I helped murder a few weeks ago, I’m clean as a fucking whistle.

Dave holds my gaze for a few beats, before looking back down at his form with a sigh. “I don't think we have anything else to discuss. Unless you need access to some programs or something.”

“I’m good, man. But thanks.”

“No problem.” Dave could not be any less interested if he tried. He looks up at me with a wan smile. “That’s all for today then.”

“Great, thanks for your time.” I get to my feet, and my phone buzzes in my pocket as I leave Dave’s cramped office and head down the dilapidated hallway of the parole office. I pull my phone out to see a message from Dylan.

Your mom’s interview is tonight.

Guess we’ll see what the old bitch has to say soon then.

It’s not going to be good.

Does Stella know?

I don’t think so, but I’m at the shop right now.

OK, I’ll see you when you get home.

Love you.

Love you too, pretty boy.

I’d gone back and forth on when to kill my mother. The thought itself didn’t bother me - she had to die for what she did. What bothered me was the When. I’d wanted to run out into the night and do it immediately after Iverson had sputtered out his confession. But Dylan had insisted we needed to bide our time, or it would look too suspicious.

Iverson’s disappearance had made headlines, and his family were on social media daily, begging for someone to give them some idea on what had happened to their beloved father and grandfather. That is, until his office was searched and child porn was found on his computer. Then they’d gone real,realquiet.

No one would miss him.

But my mother… That was a whole other matter.

My phone buzzes again, and I can’t help but break into a grin when I see it’s a photo of Stella, naked in the hot tub, her breasts wet and glistening and on display for me.

I’m so lonely.

You better be like that when I get home.

Better hurry, I might have to get myself off soon.

Don’t you fucking dare touch that pussy.

Another picture pops up, and I grit my teeth at the sight of Stella’s fingers between the lips of her cunt.Fucking tease.

These past few weeks have been like heaven. While Dylan and I are busy at the garage most days, the time we have at home together, the three of us, I never thought life could be this good. And it’s not just the fucking. I mean, OK, the fucking is spectacular. I’m still amazed that we’ve all fallen into this easy rhythm with each other, no jealousy, no animosity. Sometimes we’re all together, sometimes it’s just two of us.

I love it all.

I dare to imagine a future together, a life where we have everything we ever wanted.

I dare to imagine being a father for the first time in my life. And I wouldn’t even care if it was me or Dylan who got Stella pregnant. It would beourbaby. The thought heals a small part of me, the idea of surrounding a child with all this love.

But I’m not brave enough to bring that up yet, and I honestly just want to savor this time alone with the two of them.

Even with demons chasing us down every day.

I’m not going to think about my mother and her interview today though. That bitch’s grave is already dug out and waiting. I’m going to pick my moment. And she’ll suffer for everything she did.

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