Page 61 of Forever Golden

“I can’t. If she’s out there, I have to at least check.”

With no time left to hesitate, I slide both feet halfway inside whatever sneakers were left by the door, then make my way out into the freezing cold. It hits my bare legs where my shorts stop, feeling like razor blades slicing through my skin.

Focusing on the tracks, I follow them to where they stop at the side door of the garage. This is when I notice there’s an orange extension cord connected to the receptacle box, and then wedged beneath the weatherstrip. I know it wasn’t like this the last time I checked. At any rate, it’ll be pitch black inside, so I lower the phone from my ear and turn on its flashlight. God only knows what I’ll find when I open this door, but I brave it anyway.

I kind of have to.

Chapter 22

BLUE

“Blue!” Scar screams.

“Shit!” That little gem came from Shane.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me, Scarlett! I thought someone took you!” Before she can spot it, I hide the gun behind my back.

She doesn’t answer as her face reddens and she scrambles to find her clothes. I’m not sure if I’m more angry or relieved to find that those footprints were just my dumb-ass sister sneaking around with Shane.

Again.

Luckily, they were hidden behind a stack of boxes, so I’m not assaulted by images of his junk while he pulls up his pants. They even set up a heater to keep warm while they… did their business, which means they put thought into this.Plannedit. Guess that explains the extension cord underneath the door.

Realizing the only thing to fear here is the contagious stupidity, I discreetly tuck the hidden gun in the back of my shorts.

“I want you both inside. Now!” I say sternly, glaring at them becauseare you fucking kidding me? Again?

Crunching snow beneath my feet, I take my frost-bitten ass back inside and put the gun away before heading to the living room.

“I’m pulling up,” West says through the speaker, reminding me I have him on the line. With my sister giving me the shock of a lifetime, for thesecondtime in my lifetime, I’d forgotten.

“Unlocking the door now. Just let yourself in.”

We hang up then and I unlatch the door before dropping back down on the couch and shooting Ricky a text.

Blue: You up?

Ricky: Yeah, I’m still out. Everything good?

Blue: Not exactly. You should get over here. We have a problem.

Ricky: What is it?

Blue: Your brother’s here…

Ricky: Shit. I’m on my way.

I throw my phone down on the couch and I’m seething with anger when the two offenders finally waltz in through the back door. Not even ten seconds later, West comes in through the front.

“Sit,” I snap, aiming the words right at Scar and Shane.

They do as their told, settling beside one another on the carpet. West doesn’t say a word as he lowers to the cushion beside me, warming my freezing cold thigh when he sits close. Shortly after that, there’s a knock at the door and I don’t need to ask who it is.

“Come in.”

West peers up after I speak, looking to see who else decided to join this impromptu powwow. When Ricky walks in I take note that there’s slightly less disdain in either’s eyes when they meet one another’s gazes. But then, as if I haven’t had enough shocks tonight… they nod at each other? As in, they kind of greet each other?

What the hell is that about? When did they start being cordial?

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