Page 46 of Existential

Warm lips cut my words short. My hands instinctively find their way to her face as she presses her mouth against mine. No tongue, no over-the-top heat, just a promise that she gets whatever this is between us, too.

She pulls away, and I drop my hands to her neck as she smiles. “Stay,” I plead on a whisper.

If only this tiny woman knew the power she wielded to provide a companion for the darkness in my heart. Perhaps then she wouldn’t doubt that she belonged. Her home is in mine, bringing the light to an otherwise darkened room.

“Okay.” Her hands cover mine, her fingers wrapping beneath my hold. “For a little while. I just need you to make sure I have a reason to.”

“Be back before you know it.” I flash her a cheeky grin, and then help her onto King’s bike.

He starts the engine, the sound loud and thumping inside the barn. Dog starts his as well, the van easing out into the sunshine before them as I approach my sister.

“Do what King tells you, and don’t cause trouble,” I warn half-heartedly.

She smiles as I cup her face in my palm. “Yes, brother dearest,” she sasses.

I give her a smirk in response and tap her nose with my finger. “I’ll be in touch when I can.”

“Don’t worry about me,” she says with a shake of her head. “Spend that call wisely on the one who’ll need the reassurance.” Her eyes flick behind her, indicating Dagne. “I know you, and I know you can look out for yourself. She doesn’t.”

I nod, stepping back as King leads Dog out of the barn. The engines fade into the distance, the sound lasting long after I’ve lost sight of the trio. A deep-seated dread settles in my gut at the unknown path before me.

Mel’s right—it could be months to years. I killed a cop, and if the investigation at the trailer goes how I think it will, they’ll pin the murder of the fed on me too.

The only person who can bury the truth now, is the one guy who started all this mess.

Donovan fucking Jessup.

Time for a house call.

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