Page 85 of Amber Gambler

The delicate nature of our discovery convinced Bash to let me turn the problem over to Carter.

Numb as this latest discovery left me, I found it in me to be grateful Harrow had taken his leave when he did. Even if we had been on good terms, I wouldn’t have wanted him watching uncensored recordings of me. As things stood between us, I couldn’t imagine him getting his hands on the footage in the hopes he might discover a weakness in Kierce or secrets we had yet to uncover about Armie.

“I’m so damn sorry.” Carter hugged me with bruising force. “I can’t imagine how you’re feeling.”

“I’m not feeling anything right now.” I pretended not to notice when she sniffed me like I was wearing her favorite perfume. “Give me an hour or two, and it’ll hit me.”

“You haven’t told Matty or Josie yet.” She released me with a knowing look. “You won’t risk crumbling first in case they need you to sweep up their pieces.” She nodded to Bash, who was giving his statement. “You don’t always have to be the strong one.”

“Yeah.” I pictured Josie’s face collapsing in on itself when she heard the news. “I do.”

A dip of her chin accepted I wouldn’t change my mind, and she went to oversee the techs.

Attempted murder aside, I was thankful to have met Carter, and not only because of her connections.

“We’re done here.” Kierce, who must have just finished his interview, slid his hand into mine. “Let’s go.”

The techs were professionals, I would give them that, but this was more invasive than my annual exam at the gyno.

Though reluctant to leave, I couldn’t stomach staying either. I didn’t want their pity. I wanted justice.

Too bad Armie, for all intents and purposes, was already dead. I killed him. So, why didn’t I feel better?

“Okay.” I trailed after Kierce, focusing on the back of his head, but we didn’t make it far. “What?”

“Can I get a lift back?” Farah twisted her shoe on the porch. “I can walk back if it’s too much trouble.”

As fast as spirits zipped around, she didn’t require mechanical assistance, not when Bonaventure was so close, but she hadn’t been dead long enough to fully grasp her new talents. And, in driving her around, I had only reinforced her views held over from life.

“No trouble.” I forced out the words. “Hop in.”

“Iwilllearn to drive.” Kierce made it a promise. “I should be able to help when you need it.”

“I can play chauffeur,” Bash volunteered from the porch. “If you trust me with your baby.”

“They’re letting you leave?” I swallowed my surprise. “You’re not staying to oversee the investigation?”

A thump of anxiety attempted to rise, but it slipped beneath the cool surface of my thoughts.

“I can take you to the cemetery and back to the shop. Malina is coming. She can pick me up there.”

Malina was the clan priestess, its leader, and I doubted she was on her way to offer moral support.

“That would be great.” I slapped my keys across his palm. “Thanks.”

The 514 had revealed itself to Bash, who’d had no idea they existed, and now there would be a reckoning. I hadn’t mentioned them, opting to introduce Carter as SPD. I would prefer not to be here when the shit hit the fan. I didn’t want to be here period. I wanted to be home.

Bile rose up the back of my throat as I imagined walking into my apartment while the tech crew watched me onscreen. I wasn’t sure I could face it. I couldn’t stomach letting my siblings go about their lives for another minute either. I had to tell them.

Now.

Tonight.

Josie would never forgive herself.

Long after Malinahad veered into the lot for Bash then sped off kicking up gravel, I sat in the backseat of the wagon with Kierce. I gave myself sixty whole seconds of resting my head on his shoulder before my respite felt too much like cowardice.

“Call them, tell them to pack an overnight bag, and we can go to the hotel you used before to discuss the situation.”

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