Page 43 of Quake

Lark

Monday, March 10, 2025

Yawning, I stretch my arms over my head, cracking my eyes open. I'm groggy, but not enough to have forgotten where I am or whoshouldbe sitting beside me.

I glance around me, confirming what I already know. Gianni's gone.

I head to the kitchen and see that the stove clock says it’s just after midnight.Shit.

Frantically looking for the boys, I see them cuddled together on the bed in the living room. Two pink, phallic-shaped notes are stuck to my counters. One reads the door code to Gianni's place, and the other is a note letting me know that hewalked the boys, fed and watered them.

Oh, my fucking heart.

This man, this gorgeous, haunted man, is going to be the absolutedeath of me.

I know very little about him, and yet, he's somehow managed to show me more kindness in a few short weeks than my ex did in six years.

***

I crawl under my covers, ready to pass out, when my cell vibrates on the nightstand beside me.

Madison

Not me getting an arrest warrant from an expired parking meter in October 2023.

Madison

AN ARREST WARRANT!

You've got to be shitting me.

Kira

NO WAY

Kira

How much is the reward if someone calls and tells them where you're at?

Kira

Asking for a friend…

I'm the friend.

Madison

I'mliterally cracking up. This county is just really quiet I guess.

Madison

I'll ask them. Maybe if I turn myself in, it's free?

Kira

You'll look good in orange.

Agreed, it'll really complement your eyes.

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