Page 69 of Lust

“What is it? Is someone going to tell me what the hell is going on?” I demand, anger and anxiety mixing in a lethal combination.

“That is JC’s childhood home, Sydney,” Roman tells me. “That’s where they are.”

“Back to where it all began,” I whisper. This is JC’s big finale. He’s already got Pa, and now he’s drawing the rest of us thereso he can eliminate everyone who knows who he is, his true identity. “You know this is a trap, right? He’s planning to kill us just like he did to Robert and Cress… Hold on, he killed Robert to tie up loose ends, but why kill Cress? Did he pick her because she was my friend, opportunity, or did she know something she shouldn’t have?”

“It doesn’t really matter why, Syd,” Blake says. “What matters is we know where he is, where you father is, and we know he’s going to be expecting us.”

I’m suddenly struck with an incredible wave of grief as I realise I’m most likely the reason Cressida is dead. And I could be responsible for the deaths of these two men within the next twenty-four hours, plus myself.

“Okay, JC’s house is a good three hours drive away, so if we want to get there before nightfall and scope the place out, we need to leave within the hour,” Roman says.

“Come on,” Blake says, gesturing for me to follow him.

I do, but on autopilot. Just like when I shower, dress and pack a small rucksack Blake loans me. It’s like my mind is wiped every five minutes, and I’m thrown back to Roman telling me we have to go back to JC and Pa’s town.

When I arrive back downstairs, I find Oz and Roman in the kitchen, heads huddled together and deep in a hushed conversation. I clear my throat to announce my presence and walk over, dropping my bag to the floor. The woman I saw when I first arrived is here too. She’s quietly packing food and drink, like we are going on a day trip and not travelling to take down a serial killer, while ignoring our presence all together. She’s much better at pretending to be invisible than I am.

There’s a clatter in the hall seconds before Blake appears in the kitchen. “Syd, give me hand loading the car.”

I grab my bag and follow him to the hall, casting a quick glance back to Roman and Oz. “Wow, what is all this?” I ask Blake when I see several bags by the front door.

“Supplies,” he says, picking up two of the bags and throwing them over his shoulder. He points to the final bag. “Grab that one, please.”

I do as he asked and follow him out to the garage. I’m a little thrown by his serious attitude.

“You okay?” I ask, dropping the bag next to the other two beside a Land Rover.

“Fine.”

That’s it.Fine.

“Did I miss something because you don’t seem fine?” I ask, leaning against the side of the car while Blake loads the bags into the boot.

Shoving the last bag inside, he closes the boot, then turns to me. His eyes trace a path over my body, which is immediately reminded of earlier, before settling on my face.

“You should stay here,” he says, dropping his gaze.

“Excuse me?” I lower my head, trying to look into his eyes. “You’re joking, right?” He steps forward to take my rucksack, but I step out of his reach. “If you’re going to tell me not to come, Blake, at least have the balls to look at me when you do,” I grit out.

His head snaps up, pinning me under an intense stare. “Okay. I don’t think you should come.”

His words hit me a second time, and the force behind them… I laugh. “Because the sweet little church girl can’t handle it, right?”

“What the fuck? No,” Blake exclaims, stepping forward and grabbing my arms to stop me backing away. “That is not what this is. Not at all.” He blows out a breath.

A breath ghosts over my ear a second before someone—Roman—says, “I’m inclined to agree with him, but short of tying you up, which I prefer to keep for in the bedroom, and arseholes, you’re coming. If JC fucking touches you, hurts you, I’ll gladly return the pain. Now get in the car, Sydney. And you, Blake.” He kisses my neck before moving around to the driver’s side and getting in.

Before I can move, Blake grabs my face and kisses me. I sense he’s pouring all his feelings into this kiss, letting me know his words were from a place of love and protection and not meant to hurt.

Without another word, he gets in the passenger side, leaving me to climb into the back. As we pull out of the drive, I watch Oz leave in the opposite direction.

“Where’s Oz going?”

“He’s not coming,” Roman states bluntly, but based on their little chat earlier, I interpret his unsaid words. Oz is staying behind to ensure no matter what happens to us, JC will be dealt with.

The thought leaves me unsettled about what lies ahead.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

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