Page 38 of Hollyhocks

Eye roll. Another overly confident asshole has been wiped from the earth. I am confident he won’t be missed.

I take the time to look around, noticing a boutique just to the right of us. The outside is painted teal, the trim painted white, and in the window, there is a gold dress with thin straps hanging on a mannequin.

I want it.

The light turns green and naturally Fitz presses on the gas to pull forward. I stare at the dress in the window, watching as it gets further and further away from my grasp.

“Aw, someone made crosses for Ms. Livingston and the man who was killed in the car accident. I’ll have to bring them some flowers. What a terrible thing.”

If he buys her flowers, I’ll tear them to shreds.

Or I’ll replace them with dead ones, take the live ones home, and smell the flowers he got me.

Yes, I’ll do that instead.

The blinker clicks as he turns right into the parking lot of the garage. Fitz whistles a tune I don’t know as he drives around back, parking the truck in his usual spot. There is a lot of land back here and half of it is filled with everything from cars in amazing condition to pieces of what used to be a vehicle lying on the ground.

I turn my attention to Fitz and he’s looking out the window to the yard, his eyes suddenly losing the spark that lights up his face. Without saying a word, he sighs, climbing out of the truck.

The door stays open as he stretches and groans. I take the opportunity to crawl up front, slide into the driver’s seat, then slip out of the door. I press myself against the truck, my skin and scales changing to match my surroundings.

He shakes his head, his brown shaggy hair swaying from the force. “Wild,” he whispers as he looks up at the garage.

The gravel under his boots crunches as he strolls to the back door. He lifts his keys, plucking through all the silver until he finds the one he needs to unlock the deadbolt.

The door swings open and Fitz disappears inside.

In true fashion, I follow because I never want him out of my sight. Rain begins to fall, peppering my skin with slow cold drops, and it ruins my camouflage. Light purple flesh peeks through the rain on my arm. It’s as if the universe is trying to ruin my plan.

I rush into Snapdragons Garage, rubbing my arms to brush off the droplets. I had no idea I couldn’t use that ability in the rain.My skin glitches, switching from the color of the shadows and concrete floors to my natural purple coloring.

Fuck. I watch Fitz vanish behind another door. On the front, there is a sign that says ‘Front Office’ and I debate if I should take this chance to leave. If I do, something bad might happen to him.

I can’t leave him. He needs protection. I hate the rain. I hate storms. He’s the only person in this world and the next who gives me a sense of safety, comfort, and peace.

A knock on one of the metal garage bays echoes through the space.

“We’re closed. Only emergencies. It will be like that for a while, sorry!” Fitz says over the intercom so they can hear him outside.

“You’re going to want to see me, Son.”

I snarl at the tone of voice this man uses on my mate. How dare he? Doesn’t he know there isn’t a better man in the world than Fitz? I creep behind one of the cars, hiding myself just in case my chameleon ability is tarnished for the time being.

I peek over the trunk of a small grey car when I hear my mate stomping across the concrete floor.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Fitz’s tone is harsh and lethal, sending goosebumps down my arms.

My tentacles slip free, wanting him to use that tone on me.

He stops at the closed locked door and stares out of the window. “What the fuck do you want?”

My brows raise. I’ve never heard him talk like that to someone before. He’s… Fitz. He is sweet like a puppy. All he does is want to laugh, play, and sleep. I love that Fitz. This one… this one makes me want to kill whoever is standing on the other side of that door.

“Is that any way to greet your father?”

Hmm, could I kill his father?

Yes. Fitz will get over it. He’ll see I did it for him. It seems like he’d be better off anyway.

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