Page 16 of Demise

I see the drop in his Adam’s apple.

“Come. Let’s get out of the cold.”

I hear him hit his smoke again, and then I hear his steps follow behind me.

We’re silent as we ride the elevator up. A guilty man usually defends himself. He’s typically over the top about it. But Trig is not saying anything to assure me he didn’t do this or to convince me he did.

We approach the floor, and he hits the stop button. I turn to look at him, hands still in my pockets, over my gun. He leans back against the wall. “Can I ask you why you think I might do something like that?”

“You can.”

He smirks. “But you’re not going to say, am I correct?”

I remain still.

His eyes go to the floor. “I have no reason to hurt Bones or Bexley. Bones has been generous to me, and we both know I don’t make it easy. What you’re implying… well, it doesn’t sit right with me, Sweep,” he says matter-of-factly. “I’ve known you for a long time. We both know I’m crazy, but even my crazy has a limit. I didn’t do it, and that’s all there is. I won’t say it again.”

I keep my eyes on him for a moment. “Okay.”

“Okay?” he questions.

I nod toward the button. He presses it, sliding his hands into his pockets afterward.

Maybe he didn’t do it.

Iwantto believe he didn’t.

We step through the doors once they open and head down the hall. “I’m going to check in on Bexley. You go on down to Paul.”

He does so, and once I get to her room, I tap on the door lightly. No one answers, but the door is ajar, so I push on in. Her hand is wrapped up. I notice the bruising on her hairline from when she fell, but she seems to be sleeping peacefully.

I turn, choosing not to wake her, and then I see her chart behind the door. I exam it. Sprained talocrural joint, laceration on broad palm, and contusion on the sinciput.

Little things. Nothing to be alarmed about, I’m sure. I replace it and give her one last look before I make my way down to Paul and Trig.

Paul looks at me and I give him a nod, letting him know everything went as planned and is taken care of. He exhales a relief. It’s faint, but I catch it.

“I’ve been in to see him. He’s sleeping, of course. Everything went well, and he should recover just fine. There was no major internal damage, just a small cut that they stitched up. The glass was obviously removed and his stomach sealed. He’ll be one ornery son of a bitch when he wakes, but he’s alive and that’s what matters,” Paul says.

I chuckle as Ma swipes his arm. “Don’t talk about your brother.”

“I’ve earned that right, don’t you boys think?” Paul says with a smile.

“I’m not getting into that,” Trig says.

I hold my hand up as if to say I’m not either.

“I’ll step in and see him,” Trig says. “Ma, Paul.”

Paul nods and Ma pats his arm. Paul looks at me as Trig walks in.

“Watch him,” he says for only me to hear. “Very carefully,” he murmurs.

“Don’t worry yourself,” I say. “You two be safe.” Ma kisses my cheeks. Paul and I exchange another look before they disappear down the hall. I gaze in on Trig and Bones, watching as he stares down at him. I can’t see his lips, but I wonder if what he’s saying isI’m sorry. I fucked up.

Chapter Fourteen

Bones

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