Page 45 of House of Soot

When I return to the main room, Jenna is lying on the bed. “We still haven’t used this big bed.”

My dick perks up at that, the fucking traitor. “I’ll need a few minutes.”

“Okay.” She smiles, and I feel like I’ve been pushed off a ledge and am free falling.

I lie next to her, and she nestles into my arms, her head resting on my chest.

"It feels like forever since I've been away from the estate," she says, curling closer to me. “I mean, we had dinner the other night, but this feels different. Like an escape. Between Mom and work, I barely leave the grounds anymore."

My fingers trace patterns on my arm. "You work too hard." And it’s true. She’s on twenty-four, seven between the Keans and her mom.

"Maybe." She lifts her head to look at him. "But the Keans have been good to us. Especially with Mom's medical bills. I owe them."

I fight the tension that wants to snap. Seems like they owed her for helping them destroy my family. "Still. Everyone needs a break sometimes."

"That's why I'm grateful for you." She presses a kiss to my jaw. "You make me feel normal again. Like there's more to life than just… surviving."

I resist the urge to tell her what real survival is like. How to escape a burning house fire. Dealing with the grief of losing your parents. Having people you thought were allies take everything from you. Had we not run and hidden, the Keans would have killed us too.

“Are you worried about the problems at the estate? I can't believe they're still having the party after everything that's happened.” She shudders. "What if something happens during the event?"

I’m planning on it. But I play my part. “"Hey. Nothing's going to happen. Security's been doubled."

"But why take the risk at all? Mr. and Mrs. Kean seem so determined to prove everything's fine when it's clearly not. I've never seen the estate like this. Everyone's on edge."

"The Keans know what they're doing." It’s so fucking hard to act like I’m on the Keans’ side. "They wouldn't put anyone in danger."

She bites her lip like she’s not convinced. "I just worry. About your being in the middle of it all. About Mom being so close to the main house." She looks down at our intertwined fingers. "I couldn't bear it if anything happened to either of you."

“It will be okay.” I hold back on offering a promise.

"I just don't understand who'd want to hurt the Keans," she says, annoying me with her inability to let this go. "They've done so much good for the community. For me and Mom."

“Sometimes, people aren't what they seem."

"It's like history repeating itself. First the Ifrinns, now this. What kind of monsters would?—"

"The Ifrinns?" The invocation of my name makes my voice come out sharp.

"Sorry, I shouldn't… It's just bringing up old memories. But it’s so strange that these attacks are happening again.”

"Everything's under control. Trust me." I’m near my limit. I’m about to expose myself. But I can’t. Not yet.

"How can you be so sure? What if next time, someone gets hurt?”

"That won't happen."

"I feel so helpless.” Her green eyes hold mine, like she’s trying to make me understand her thoughts or like she thinks I can do anything about it. "Like we're just waiting for the next attack. And now this party… it feels reckless."

"The increased security?—"

"Isn't enough!" she snaps, surprising me with the outburst. "Sorry, I just… I'm scared, Blaise. And angry. Why us? Why now? Nothing makes sense anymore."

I’m beginning to wonder if she knows what the Keans do. They’ve actually been pretty lucky not to have more problems over the last ten years.

“The Keans have a way of doing business that sometimes upsets others.”

She purses her lips at me. “All businesses do sketchy things, but you don’t go around spreading rumors and blowing up their homes.”

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