Page 22 of Boys Who Taint

“I heard the fight. Levi get in trouble again?”

He’s got the kind of grin that could make people run just from looking at him. And those deadly gray eyes sure make it hard to look away.

“You didn’t see my brother trying to kill him?”

He snorts. “Nahhhhh, those two were just playing.”

I frown. “Playing? It’s not a joke to Silas.”

He stretches his arms and cracks his knuckles. “Silas is all talk. I’m waiting for him to bring in the knives so we can actually have some fun.”

What the hell is wrong with this dude?

“Levi didn’t even punch him back,” I point out.

“Just because he didn’t, doesn’t mean hecouldn’t.” He smirks. “Levi could easily take him.”

“Right …” I frown.

He leans in, too close, and the grin on his face is so uneasy that it’s making me lean back. “You don’t believe me? Levi’s a killer, remember? That’s what your entire family has been chanting. You think he couldn’t kill Silas if he wanted to?”

He’s just gossiping now.

“How would you know?”

A low-rumbling laugh from deep within his chest makes me swallow. “Because I trained him.” He winks. “I could train you too, if you’re interested.”

“What?” I mutter.

He places a hand on my belly, right on top of my shirt, and I suddenly feel very, very naked. “Grow some of those abs.” He pinches my arms with that same hand. “Get rid of those chicken wings.”

“Chicken wings?” I bark, swatting his hand away.

He laughs loudly and then slaps me on the shoulder with so much force I nearly buckle. “I’m just joking. Don’t take everything so seriously, Freckles.” He throws his bag over his shoulder. “But I like your spark. The offer is still on the table, and you know where to find me if you’re interested in some free training lessons. I mean, if you wanna follow in Silas’s footsteps and make Levi ‘pay.’” He makes quotation marks with his fingers, then throws out the biggest, brightest grin of all. “You know where to find me.”

He makes a clicking sound twice with his tongue and checks out, leaving me flabbergasted.

And maybe just one percent convinced that I should perhaps join him in his insanity.

CHAPTER 5

Aspen

I drivemy car downtown to where everything feels blurry and time begins to slow. The last time I was at Crescent Vale Cemetery, the entire world felt like it caved in on me. I swallow down the nerves as I stare at the gates after parking my car.

I never once would’ve thought to visit this cemetery … until Mavis died.

I clutch the steering wheel, staring at the fence like it’s my mortal enemy.

No. She didn’t die. She was killed.

Murdered.

Levi Torres wouldn’t admit it if it wasn’t the truth, and I’ll be damned if I let my feelings get in the way of the truth.

Levi Torres killed my sister.

And I desperately need to talk to her ghost.

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