Page 10 of Deliver us from Evil

“Mr. Price, it’s Beverley from California Key Realty. Is this a good time?”

I stop breathing. My back’s against the wall, and I use it as support to slide down until I’m hunkered in a crouch.

I force myself to take a breath.

“No time like the present,” I say, and even manage a faint chuckle. “What can I help you with, Beverly?”

* * *

I stareat my phone for a few minutes after the call ends. My fingertips are still tingling. My chest still feels too tight. But for the first time in a long,longtime, those feelings bring relief—even joy—and not anxiety.

It’s done.

It’s fuckingdone.

We got the house.

Soon as it’s out of escrow, it’ll be ours.

There’s a grin on my face, and I can’t seem to shake it. Fuck, I don’t even want to. I draw in a huge breath as I stand, and for a moment it feels like I’m still rising, like a fucking balloon some sweaty kid lost at the fair.

Christ. Why am I so surprised? In this economy, with my generous offer? But Iamsurprised. Fuck it, I’m shocked. Because honest to God I thought the Universe would send a last fuck-you to the four boys it’s been such a motherfucking cunt to all these years.

Nothing’s ever been easy.

Getting out of the basement.

Trying to keep us together. Focused.

It’s been hard fucking work all the way.

I can’t remember how many times I’ve wanted to give up. How often I’ve wanted to let the Universe win.

But then I’d think of them.

Of my brothers.

And I’d find my second wind. I’d get the strength I need to tell them we need to push on. And they’d rally. Theyalwaysrally.

I shove my phone in my pocket and head for Gabriel’s apartment again. But my euphoria starts fading the closer I get. My steps become reluctant.

About a yard from his door, I slow down. Then stop.

This means everything to them, to me…but I can’t stop thinking about the house. I’m even getting fucking feels about it. All I want to do is spill my guts to them. I’d call them, but it has to be in person. I want to see their faces light up as I tell them about the infinity pool and the dance room and all those big fucking windows. Light everywhere. The coast so close you can taste salt in the air.

Fuck.

I rake fingers through my hair.

Fuck!

He’s one man, Gabriel, but suddenly I feel like I’m facing off against an army. And it’s just me this time. I don’t have any of them. Yeah, I’m only supposed to find out where he is. Track him until we’ve got everything in place to grab him. But it’s suddenly too real. And, at the same time, surreal.

I’m walking into a nightmare, when I should be heading for the life of my dreams.

That house is everything we’ve always wanted—

I close my eyes, shake my head.

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