Page 17 of Savage Scream

“Kissy, kissy, kissy.” They say in unison, doing that weird in sync twin thing.

“I think I just vomited in my mouth,” Charlotte adds, and still Rhys keeps kissing her guy.

Cynthia approaches them and tips a cup of cold water over their heads, and they shoot apart quickly, laughing.

This family is so weird.

But also, so nice.

A pang shoots through my chest as I follow behind Travis, watching him take a seat. He’s staying for dinner, apparently. Probably something Cynthia arranged, which is just another nice gesture from her and this family.

I wish I could stay!

I should open up to Cynthia more. Explain about the car wreck, but she obviously got information about it from Jared’s mum already. They are doing so much for me, and what am I doing in return?

Nothing.

Well, not nothing. If I’m being honest, I’m potentially putting them in danger. My links to the crime world puts anyone close to me in danger, but I have to hope the Marx family wouldn’t do anything to hurt these innocent people. I have to hope Griffin will be true to his word.

Still, he’s only one of many in that family. A very powerful family.

Throughout dinner I watch Travis. He’s more relaxed than the last time he sat at this table, almost as if he’s one of the family. He deserves this family more than I do. He should be the one under their roof, getting love and attention. Not me.

After dinner, Travis helps with the dishes, and then he asks to see my room.

I feel awkward as I lead him into the kids’ zone of the house, and into my bedroom, for the first time noticing the distance between us and the different lives we’ve led since being separated.

“Wow, I love what you’ve done with the space. Loads of personality.”

I roll my eyes at his sarcasm, and he chuckles.

“Oh, come on, Ell. Why haven’t you turned this room into your own?”

Taking out my phone, I tap out my response and hold it up to him.

‘You know why. I’m not staying. When I turn eighteen, I’m leaving. With you.’

Travis sighs and drops his arse to my bed.

“I gotta say I like the part about you leaving.”

My brows shoot up and he chuckles.

“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

‘Really? How did you mean it then?’

Raking a hand through his brown hair, Travis sighs. “I don’t want you around this gang stuff. You need to leave, Ell. Get out now before there’s an all out war. Before it’s too late.”

Frowning, I take in Travis’ expression and the tone of his voice. He wants me to leave, not because he doesn’t want to see me, but because he’s worried. His words are a warning of sorts.

‘What do you know that I don’t?’I respond, holding up my phone for him to read.

Shaking his head, Travis stands from the bed. “Nothing. It’s just normal stuff. You know, and I know that the Marx family is trying to take over. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

He’s not wrong about that.

“Is Crowley ok?” Travis asks, changing the conversation as he starts pacing.

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