Page 69 of Blue

Dylan stroked her hair as she whimpered. “I’m told it feels good in the beginning.”

Her throat was on fire. It radiated from the injection site up, down, and all around. Her shoulders, her collarbone, they all heated as the syringe fell to the floor.

Dylan ruffled her hair. “Why don’t you just go to sleep?”

CHAPTER 23

Mooky

With the groceries bought, Mooky felt alright about the evening. Well, as good as one could feel with an impending murder on their plate. He hadn’t had a decent pork chop in ages.

If he remembered correctly, River had a spelling test a few days ago. He should’ve gotten the results back by now. A decent meal and quality family conversation.

Opening his saddlebag, he dropped the food into it before flipping the flap closed. They’d actually be a normal family that evening. With a smile on his face, he nodded. It’d been far too long since they had a quiet night.

Part of him considered cracking open the deck of Uno cards he’d gotten. Did his kids still play Uno? They used to love it. Starla would probably laugh at him if he asked.

He’d still try.

Feeling positive about things, he mounted his bike. He wouldn’t take tonight for granted. Who knew how many of these he had left?

Sitting at a light, he glanced around himself out of habit.

Wait.

That was Blue’s car. He’d know that sedan with the eyelashes on the headlights anywhere.

He knew Nate had bailed her out, but he hadn’t expected to see her around town. Especially since she was on the schedule today at Rune the Skin.

Noting the small lot and how she had parked, something felt off. Mooky flicked his blinker, and when the light turned green, he guided his bike toward her car. Granted, the woman could have a totally logical reason to be in the Ace Hardware, but he couldn’t think of one. Blue wasn’t exactly the handiest of women. DIY wasn’t her forte.

Also, she’d parked at the very back of the lot, closest to the exit and farthest from the door. It didn’t make sense. Her shoes were more for style and less for function. Leaving her car that far away, she wouldn’t have done that willingly. It would’ve killed her feet.

Pulling beside her car, Mooky didn’t cut his engine. Clearly, she wasn’t in there. He wouldn’t stay too long, but he needed to check it out. It didn’t feel right.

Dismounting his bike, he glanced around. Maybe she was inside.

When she didn’t come out of the store immediately, he peered into the passenger window of her car. He might as well investigate while he waited.

Purse on the seat. Cellphone in the cup holder.

What the hell?

A chill ran up his spine.

This wasn’t right.

Blue wouldn’t leave her purse if she went into a store. That’d completely defeat the purpose. And her cellphone. Fuck, that thing was attached to her at all times. Someone would have to pry that from her cold…

No.

He refused to complete that thought. Absolutely not. It wasn’t an option. He rebuffed that possibility.

Instead, he pulled his phone from the inside of his cut. A few taps at his screen and he called Dash.

Putting the phone to his ear, he stared at the hardware store. She could be in there. Maybe her toilet clogged or something. Flustered, she probably got out of her car and forgot her stuff. Stranger things had happened. There was no need to jump to conclusions yet.

He lied to himself.

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