Page 27 of Begin Again

The afternoon sun spills golden light through the kitchen window, glinting off the half-empty coffee cup in front of me. My pencil creates lazy lines along a new page my sketchbook only half-paying attention to what I’m doing. I’m sprawled on the couch with my tablet beside me playing a new episode of Women & Crime.The latest case they’re dissecting is wild—it’s one about a woman kidnapping her cousin’s kid and passing the child off as her own.

Orion stalks in like a restless caged animal, his energy practically vibrating through the space.

“I need to get out of this house,” he announces, running a hand through his already messy hair. “I’m going stir-crazy.”

I smirk still not looking up. “It’s been less than twenty-four hours, Drama Queen. What do you do when you have to do stakeouts?”

Orion lets out an exaggerated sigh like I’ve just asked him to explain quantum physics. “Yeah, the entire day has consisted of you either ignoring me or working. I’m bored, Selene. I don’t get bored at work and I don’t do stakeouts.” He levels me with a pointed look. “Let’s go.”

I let my head fall back against the cushions with a groan. I know that tone. It’s the one he used when we were kids, convincing me to sneak out of the house, or when he needed a last-minute alibi for some stupid stunt he pulled. There’s no escape when he gets like this.

Still, I make a weak attempt. “Where, exactly?”

“I don’t know—where do people even go in this town?” He leans against the doorway, arms crossed like he’sphysicallyholding himself back from pacing. “Is there a bar? A shooting range? Literally, anything that doesn’t involve you ignoring your favorite brother and sitting here pretending to be productive?”

I roll my eyes. “You’re my only brother and I was being productive, thank you very much.”

“Uh-huh.” He doesn’t look convinced. “So productive you were replyingout loudto the people on whatever true crime podcast you were listening to.”

I freeze for half a second before schooling my expression into a neutral mask.

Damn it. I hate how well he knows me.

He glances at Valkyrie, who’s sprawled out beside me but before I can come up with a smartass reply . “We’re taking her too. You don’t get out enough, and she looks like she could use some excitement.”

Valkyrie perks up instantly, head lifting, eyes bright with anticipation. The moment she sees me looking at her, her tail-nub starts thumping against the couch, I know I’m screwed. She’s already inadventure mode, and there’s no way I can say no now.

I glance between Orion, who’s watching me expectantly, and Valkyrie, who looks like she’s five seconds away from physically dragging me out the door herself.

I groan, putting away my sketchbook and pausing my podcast with a resigned sigh. “Fine. Let’s go into town.”

Orion jingles his keys as we step outside, a smug little smirk on his face. “I’m driving.”

I stop dead in my tracks. “No.”

“Yes.”

I turn to Valkyrie, who until a second ago was trotting happily beside me, completely unaware of the impending danger. “We can still run. We can make a break for it.”

Orion rolls his eyes and strides past me, unlocking his black SUV. “Oh, relax. I’m an excellent driver.”

That is an outright lie. Orion drives like he’s auditioning for the nextFast & Furiousmovie. No—scratch that. He drives like he’s already in one, complete with aggressive lane changes, a blatant disregard for speed limits, and some unholy belief that braking is for the weak.

But I’m an idiot. Because despite knowing this, despite having first-hand traumatic experiences, I sigh and climb into the passenger seat like I don’t value my life. Valkyrie, lucky as ever, hops into the back like this is just a fun little field trip.

The engine rumbles to life, and the moment Orion pulls out of the driveway, I remember. I remember everything.

The SUV lurches forward as he takes the turn onto the main road like he’s evading a police chase. My body slams back against the seat, and instinct kicks in. I lunge for the oh-shit handle and hold on for dear life.

“Jesus, Orion! Have you ever heard of a gentle acceleration?”

He grins, completely unfazed. “We’ve got places to be, Selene. Time waits for no man.”

“We’re literally just driving to town! It’s not an emergency!”

Orion barely slows down at the stop sign, just does a rolling stop that technically counts but would definitely get him side-eyed by a cop. He takes the next turn way too sharp, and I swear to God, I feel the car tilt.

“Wave to the peasants, sister,” he says with his horrible rendition of a British accent.

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