Page 44 of Meet Your Maker: Part One

I pause, glancing back at him.

“You’re allowed to want things too, you know. Don’t bury your desires so deep that you lose them.”

I swallow hard and nod, turning toward the black van. The keys are cold in my hand, the street quiet and still. As I settle intothe driver’s seat, I’m still turning over Wade’s words. I grip the wheel, my gaze lingering on the house one last time before I pull away into the dark.

I’ll let him have tonight.I can do that—for both of them.

.

Chapter eighteen

Fuck a Bunch of Mates

— Sunday —

Through the living room window, I watch the van back out of the driveway and head toward the center of town. A frown tugs at my face—he didn’t even say goodbye.

I turn back to see Daddy still studying the antique cabinetry in the front hall. His fingers trail over the wood, tracing each joint and detail with the kind of reverence he reserves for the loyalty of hound dogs, the clean lines of Stickley furniture, and the roar of Saturday night NASCAR.

“Where’s Big Daddy Wolf headed?” I ask, irritation prickling just beneath my skin.

Gray’s hand rests on my back, rubbing slow, soft circles. He looks just as puzzled as I feel. We both turn to Ben and Daddy, hoping for answers.

Wade clears his throat and attempts to lie to me. “Well, Sugar, he wanted to grab some food for the morning.”

His voice sounds casual, but there’s something off—like he’s standing on the edge of a cliff or waitin’ on a call that might come too late. A strange tension hums between us, like a low note that won’t stop ringing in my ears.

I try to untangle it, to make sense of the warning in the air, before his answer clicks into place.

Only one place sells real food this time of night.

“Wait—he went to Lexington?”

Daddy nods, his attention drifting back to the joinery, his fingers grazing the old wood. He won’t meet my eyes, and I know I won’t get more out of him. I’ve seen this move before—a look, a few vague words, and then a retreat into silence. No one can stonewall me like my father, and prying won’t break him down. So I let him go. His body’s here, but his mind is already somewhere else, as if talking to me now would give away too much.

I turn back to find Shadow and Ben hovering by the doorway, shuffling like they’re both debating whether to stay or bolt. They’re close enough that I can feel their unease, but they’re angled away, each giving off adon’t-ask-mevibe that only makes my already mounting irritation spike.

“And now, what the hell’s going on with you two?”

Shadow glances at Ben, then shrugs, trying for casual. “Well, I don’t know about Ben, but I’m dying for a run.”

“Oh, okay, guess that makes sense after traveling so long.” I chew my lip for a moment. “The thing is, I don’t think we can risk it—you getting seen by someone in town. Why don’t you shift and wander around in here?” I smile, thinking I’ve found a compromise. “We’ll pull the blinds, and your jaguar can rub against every surface in the whole damn house.”

Grayson’s posture goes rigid beside me, his entire demeanor radiating disapproval.

I pivot to him. “What now?”

Ben gives a soft, almost apologetic laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Grayson’s not big on animal hair getting… well, anywhere.”

My big vampire bristles. “Not just me. Vivien too.”

“Oh, right. Vivien.” I sigh, catching Shadow’s eye. “We do want her to feel welcome. So I guess…” The words taste wrong, but I say them anyway. “No shifting.”

Shadow’s eyes narrow. “Fine. I suppose I’ll just have to wait until we’re out at your brother’s place.”

It’s kinda weird, though. Shadow’s mad at Gray, but they were just cuddling on the plane. And Ben’s got that look on his face—you know the one—like he’s holding something back and can’t stand that he has to hide it from me. So I guess there’s something I’m not supposed to know…and have I mentioned that not knowing shit is my goddamn kryptonite?

“All right, well, you guys figure out whatever the hell is going on. I’m going to look for a library and check out the themed bedrooms.”

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