Page 18 of Demise

That would be wise.

Futile because I would always know where she was and what she was doing, but wise nonetheless.

How many times can I do this? Let her go? Let her move on with another man? Even though I know she deserves a good safe life. It kills me to even fathom her with someone else.

My fucking brother, God rest his soul, was enough. I won’t watch it happen again. There’s no way.

If she leaves… fine. But she will not be with another man. I’ll kill any motherfucker who even looks at her twice.

I swear on it.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, realizing once again I’m being irrational. I can’t kill every man that looks at her. I can threaten them, remove a finger or something equal, but murder would be too far.

I cast my eyes to the window, watching as the snow feathers to the ground. What a fool I was to think we were getting somewhere being held in that cabin together. What a silly, stupid fool.

Chapter Fifteen

Sweep

“She didn’t come by,” he mutters.

I don’t correct him. I’m not sure it’s a good idea. Bexley haddoneon her face, and that’s one word Bones doesn’t know how to accept from the woman, but she’s right to do so.

He isn’t leaving this life, and she can’t be a part of it. She’s told him.

“She okay?” he asks, her wellbeing taking over his obvious despair, but that’s how it’s always been with those two.

“Banged up, but she’ll live.”

“I suppose you think I should let her be?” he says.

I eye him.

“Well, you can fuck off.” He tosses the covers away from his legs and moves himself to the side of the bed.

I keep quiet, knowing he’s too pissed for me to tell him anything.

He rubs down his face and then grabs the necklace he’s worn nearly all his life. I’ve often wondered what importance the thing holds, but never inquired. In this moment, I get the feeling it has something to do withher.

Shocking.

“We haven’t spoken about that day. And fuck me, I can’t remember a whole lot of it. Tell me, is Trig dead?” he asks.

“Trig?” I say.

“Why are you questioning me? Is he not? Do I remember wrong, that Bexley shot him?”

Paul has done his part in keeping the police and news crews away, so the subject hasn’t been brought back up. I wanted to wait until Bones was clearheaded and, well, I guess he is now.

Makes sense that he would think to ask about her first. Typical.

I bite my inner cheek. “Bones, Miles was the one I found dead at the cabin. Not Trig.”

His head moves back with a jerk.

“In fact, Trig has come by here to see you.”

He puts a hand over his open mouth and scrubs downward over his chin, his eyes scanning the floor widely. He looks to the window, his hand still resting on his chin, squeezing it, until it turns a whiter shade than his natural complexion. His eyes look to me.

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