Page 86 of Hollyhocks

The unknown voice has us stopping mid-kiss. Holly spins around to protect me and I look over the top of her head to see a skeleton figure standing next to the bodies.

“Lorcan?” Holly asks in surprise and disbelief.

Lorcan. I know that name. Rhett and Creed told me about him and The Four Horsemen. Lorcan is a Void, a reaper who works for Death.

“Girl, what the fuck is this? You escape and cause chaos? You’ve always kept me busy.”

Holly squeals, running to give him a big hug, and I wish a bullet could kill him. I don’t like him touching what’s mine.

“You’re leaving a mess just like Creed and Rhett. I’m here to take their souls but The Four Horsemen will come for answers. You know you just can’t go around killing people.” Lorcan places his hands on his hips. “I’m going to have to ask my boss fora raise. You monster DNA experiments keep me busy. Do you think it’s easy to have this job? I like to relax too, you know. I’ve got to go. We will get together soon.” He snaps his fingers, disappearing with the bodies, and leaving us alone.

A few seconds of silence ticks by to soak in what just happened.

I finally speak. “So you killed a woman, stole her van, and the money they robbed from a bank?”

“Yes.”

“And you bought this house with that money?”

“Some of it. Nothing is in the house. It isn’t even furnished. I only bought it to be close to you.”

“God, you are fucking crazy, and I love it,” I growl, pulling her into another kiss. “Before I was interrupted, I was on my way to the shop for Rhett. I’m going to take your van and make sure there’s no mistake it’s yours and not the woman you killed. I know you’re tired. Why don’t you stay and nap? I’ll be back.”

“I’ll come with you. I don’t feel okay leaving you alone. Keys are under the pot on the porch to the van.”

“It’s probably best if we shower first. We both have blood all over us.”

Her eyes sparkle with mischief, and she launches herself in the air, slipping into the window she broke.

“Cheater!” I shout after her, running through the door and then up the steps.

I should be more bothered by what happened. I’ve learned one thing in all the time I’ve been on my own.

Evil deserves to die, and I refuse to shed one tear over their deaths.

We stop in front of one of the silver garage doors. “What are we doing here again?” Fitz puts the Van in park and opens the driver’s side door. I grab his arm, staring at him as if he is delusional for leaving my side. “Where are you going?’

“I have to open the garage door to get the van inside. I’ll be right back.” His hand roams across my cheek, then his fingers run through my hair. My eyes flutter closed from how good his touch feels. His lips meet mine in an unexpected kiss. When he dares to move away from me, he presses his forehead against mine. “Like I’d ever be able to stay away from you, Wildflower. I have to protect you, though. It’s only a matter of time before the authorities find this van and connect you to a murder. And then add a robbery on top of that.”

“I didn’t rob the bank. I only stole the money they stole.”

“Doesn’t matter. You’re the one they will pin the crime on.”

“I’ll kill the cops who try to arrest me then,” I say with a ‘duh’ tone.

He laughs, leaning away from me to grab the handle of the door. “You can’t kill everyone, Holly.”

“Why not? I kill them if they threaten me or you. I would think that’s fair.”

“The way you think is very similar to Creed. I bet you and him will get along.”

“Does he also kill?”

“More than you know,” Fitz grumbles.

“Smart. Nothing can be pinned on me if everyone who comes after me is dead. It makes sense.”

“I know it does.” He pats my leg in defeat. “I’ll bury all the bodies.”

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