Page 31 of Blood
Denial and shock.
Not having the energy to deal with both right now, I choose shock.
“You heard what I said to Aaron?” I ask Shelby, and the young woman nods. “We stick with that,” I tell her sternly.
“Why?” she whispers.
“Because I don’t feel like going to prison for killing two people.”
Her cheeks flush at my words.
“But you saved us.”
“They were unarmed,” I say, repeating Sheriff McCallister’s words.
“They attacked you?” Shelby argues, but her tone makes it sound like a question.
“They did.” I nod. “And they were coming upstairs. I told you I wouldn’t let anything happen, and I didn’t.”
Shelby’s bottom lip disappears between her teeth, her bright eyes shining with unshed tears. The car stays quiet until I pull up in front of the dark cabin.
“We were house-sitting for you.” Shelby nods.
Good girl.
“I came home early, and we’re lucky I did. Samantha?”
“We were house-sitting,” she agrees, never turning away from the side window.
My chest expands with a heavy sigh. “Both of you stay there. I’ll carry you out.”
“We can walk,” Sam argues.
“You’re both barefoot.”
“So are you.”
Fed up, I turn in my seat. “Samantha, I’m tired and exhausted. Just stay in the car.” My tone is sharp enough that her eyes snap to mine. She quickly looks away.
Fuck.
I climb out of the car and brush off her attitude. It doesn’t matter how bratty she gets. It won’t take back what we did. Grinning, I open the back door.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Samantha
My stomach roils, and it’s not because of the blood seeping into the gauze held to Kaleb’s foot.
“I think I’m going to vomit,” Shelby grimaces, turning away from where Kaleb sits on the closed toilet.
“You good?” he asks her.
Shelby shakes her head. Her face paling.
“Woman, I’m good with killing to protect you, but if you vomit on me, there will be a third murder tonight.”
“Why do you have so much blood? It just keeps coming.”
