Page 78 of When the Woods Go Silent

“Goddess help me, I do,” she says, dissolving into laughter. “He’s so freaking hot, Rosey. And I know, I know. I’ll probably get burned.”

“And I’ll be here to do triage if you need me,” I offer, letting her know that I’m not going to fight this thing again. Sometimes a girl just needs a bad boy. “I hope he’s everything you want right now, Ru. And if he’s not, I’ll just kill him for you.”

“Besties before boys,” she murmurs. “Hey, where are the flowers from? Downstairs? I saw them on my way in last night.”

“Aw, shit,” I grumble, just remembering Kier had brought me flowers.

“Ooh, youarea sneaky bitch! Spill,” Ruby commands, slapping her palm on the table.

But before I can decide what to tell her, we hear a distant knock, then the chiming of the bookshop doorbell.

“It’s too freaking early,” Ruby moans, but she gets up anyway, and I follow her downstairs and into the shop. We speed up as shouting echoes past the windows, two angry male voices splitting the early morning quiet down the middle.

“What the hell?” I hiss, as I see a flash of red hair in the window. It has to be Kier.

And it is, which I confirm the second he swings a wicked punch right into Torrence’s nose. Dark blood splatters his knuckles, and Torrence grins through it all, taunting.

Ruby shrieks and rushes to unlock the front door.

“What are youdoing?” she yells, and the guys immediately step apart. The air is crackling with tension, though, and I sense that either one of them will take another swing if they get even the slightest provocation.

“I told your friend this one was bad news,” Torrence says to her, his voice thick as he pulls up the hem of his shirt and blots blood away from his nose. Kier snaps something back that I can’tunderstand, and Torrence only laughs darkly. The shadows play across his face, making his eyes even brighter in contrast, and for a split second, I try to imagine that creepy demon form again. Sharp teeth and glowing eyes, like in the photo Ruby showed me.

But that’s impossible, and I blink it away.

“Fucking stop it,” I shout at both of them, shoving past Ruby and laying a hand on Kier’s chest. His skin is burning through his thin shirt, and his green eyes are flashing gold with anger, too. “This is our place of business, and I will not be the center of some goddamn town gossip circle because of you two. Ruby, take Torrence in the kitchen or something.”

Ruby glares back at Kier as she yanks on Torrence’s arm, tugging him into the shop and slamming the door behind her.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I turn on Kier. It really is way too early for any of this.

“I apologize. I didn’t expect him to be here, and...” Kier’s words wither to silence under my glare.

“Look, I like you, and last night was fun, but you cannot bring drama to my business. Not cool,” I snap.

“I know. I’m sorry. I just need to talk to you, Rose.”

“About?” I drain my coffee and set the mug on the porch railing, my hand on my hip. I’m getting more annoyed by the second, and an empty coffee mug is not helping.

“Not here. Not... near Torrence. Please, Rose,” Kier adds when I huff.

“What is it between you two?”

But he doesn’t answer, only meets my gaze with an unavoidable vulnerability. I can’t read his mind, but he needs this talk, whatever it is.

“Where, then?” My hands pat my hair, only now realizing how rough I must look. Ugh.

“Come have breakfast with me. I’ll explain, I promise.”

I curse again under my breath. Do I really want to take time for this? “We’re set to open at nine.”

“I’ll have you back by then,” he swears, holding a hand over his heart like a damn boy scout or something. It doesn’t fool me, though. I see the twinkle in his eye. “Please, Rose.”

“Wait here. Donotcome inside,” I warn, turning on my heel and stalking back into the shop. I resist locking the door behind me, but it’s hard. I hear Ruby’s soft voice in the office kitchen area, cooing something as she undoubtedly babies Torrence. I roll my eyes and climb the stairs.

Just our luck that we’d like guys who hate each other. That alone is a bad sign.

I pull my unruly curls into a clip, smear on some tinted sunscreen and lip gloss, and throw on a maxi skirt with a fresh tank top. Good enough. Grabbing my bag, I poke my head into the office.

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