Page 32 of A Deceitful Pact

SAWYER

TWO WEEKS LATER

“We better hurry up and cook ‘em, we ain’t got long left before those rain clouds open.” I look up at the thick, heavy clouds lingering in the night sky as I finish pouring gasoline on the three bodies we just put in the ground. Three sick fuckers who the world won’t miss, and prison would be too kind, too.

“So, how pregnant was Maddison when you guys found out?” I question Jace once I place the can back on the bed of his truck.

“Four, maybe five weeks.” He strikes the match and tosses it into the pit so we can watch ‘em burn.

“And Maddison took a test as soon as she realized she was late?”

“Well, I had to convince her first, she had this stupid notion in her head that I couldn’t knock her up first time,” he sniggers at me. “But turns out she was wro–why are we having this conversation?” He looks at me as if I’m being weird.

“Just interested, that's all.” I shrug, reaching for my smokes like I usually would and realizing that they ain’t there. Jace offers me one of his when he notices I’m short, but I shake my head in refusal.

“Don’t freakin’ tell me Beth’s late! Her dad really will make you marry her.”

“Relax, Beth’s not late, and if she were it would have jack shit to do with me. I haven’t been near the girl in months.” I shake my head and kick some loose dirt into the hole just so I have something to do with myself.

“Then why all the questions?” He laughs.

“Is it a crime for your best friend to be excited that you're gonna be a dad?” I raise my shoulders.

“Just seems weird, you getting excited over something that would be your worst nightmare,” he points out.

“I can think of worse things that could happen.” I can’t help smiling when I think about the fact that Riley could be carrying my baby inside her right now. We’ve been fuckin’ for three weeks straight and I ain’t no mathematician but her period’s sure to be due any day now.

“Name me one?” Jace challenges me.

“Hey, weren’t you the person telling me that every man should try fallin’ in love, a few months ago?” I come back at him defensively.

“Yeah, and I stand by it. I ain’t ever been happier. Have you really been thinking ‘bout what I said?” He looks almost proud of me.

“Don’t flatter yourself.” I shove him hard in the shoulder and laugh it off. There's no way I’m gonna tell Jace that I tricked the FBI agent, who he’s convinced is here to bring us down, into getting pregnant with my kid. Not until I have to, anyway.

My phone vibrates, and when I pull it out and see a message from Riley, I like that it means she’s thinking about me. Tonight will be the first night I haven’t seen her since we made our pact, and it’s gonna be weird. She’s stayed at my place for the past two weeks, which has been a challenge to hide from all the prying eyes surrounding us, still, we’ve managed to pull it off, even the Clearwater Coven hasn’t caught us out. I’m gonna miss not having her in my bed tonight.

How's the bachelor party going?

I look down at the blood and dirt on my clothes before I text back my answer.

Uneventful. Missing me?

“That Uncle Jamie?” Jace asks as I slide my phone back into my pocket.

“Nah, just some chick I’ve been talkin’ to.” I scratch the side of my neck, feeling like shit for lying to my best friend, and for lying to her, but I got no other option.

“The same chick who's got ya asking me all these questions?” He laughs.

“No.” I shake my head and stare into the flames, watching the flesh burn off these pedophiles' bones and wondering if she’ll still be awake when we get back to Clearwater Creek.

* * *

It’s late, and the bar’s all locked up when Jace drops me off. I let myself in through the back door and head upstairs so I can shower. I smell of smoke, gasoline, and death, and although I have no regrets about putting those fuckers in the ground, I can still feel their sins clinging to me. Maybe once I’m done, I can call Riley and see if she wants me to go over.

“Hey.” I jump in shock when the light flicks on and I see Riley in my kitchen wearing one of my shirts. She looks so pleased to see me until she really doesseeme, and that pretty smile, which I’ve been seeing more and more of, quickly fades.

“Riley.” I look down at my clothes and panic. “ I need you to listen to me.” Stepping closer, I reach out my hand, and when she sees the blood on it, she backs up against the refrigerator and makes it clatter.

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