Page 35 of Banshee
“I know,” he sighed. “But we can’t change the past.”
He was right. We couldn’t change the past. If we could... I looked back in the direction of the cabin. The horizon was dark, the cabin no longer in sight. If I could change the past, I’d go back and claim Irene.
Stop her from being hurt. By her father, by Banshee, and by the motherfucker who beat the shit out of her.
His day was coming.
“I have to go.”
“Don’t do it.”
I hated that he was still able to read my mind. He knew me better than anyone else. Justin wasn’t just my brother. He was my best fucking friend. The only person in this world I trusted completely.
“I’m just going to look around.”
“You get caught, and you’re on your own. I have too much shit to do to come rescue your ass.”
“Bullshit. You’d drop everything if I needed you.”
He blew out a breath rather than respond because he knew I was right. Just as I would drop everything for him. And I did the day Reaper sunk his blades into his chest. It’d taken months for him to heal, and months before he was back to his old self.
“Don’t worry, big brother. They haven’t caught me yet.”
Chapter Twelve
Banshee
Something woke me from my sleep. The silent room was filled with darkness, and I listened for any sounds of intruders. Diesel was scratching at Aspen’s door, and when I heard the front door click, I grabbed my gun. Without bothering to put on clothes, I slipped into the hallway in my boxers, knowing Diesel would protect Aspen. My bare feet padded down the hall, my gun held at eye level in front of me, ready to take out whoever had broken in.
A quiet curse followed the scrape of a chair.
Son of a bitch.
I lowered my gun and reached for the light switch. Aspen stood by the table, her eyes wide in panic.
“What are you doing out here? You’re supposed to be sleeping.”
I looked her over. She was in the clothes she’d worn earlier, and her feet were encased in boots.
“Did you try to fucking run?” I growled, moving closer to her.
Diesel barked and scratched at the door. I quickly moved down the hall, letting him out of her room. He ran to the front door, barking.
“Diesel, no,” Aspen scolded.
“He needs to go out.”
“He doesn’t. He probably heard an animal out there and wants to investigate. It’s too dark.”
I watched her as she removed her boots and then crawled onto the couch, calling the dog to her.
“What were you doing outside?”
“Could you put some clothes on?” she asked, and even in the low light, I could see the pink staining her cheeks.
“Answer my question.” I loved seeing her blush. Loved the fact that my near-naked body made her uncomfortable. I set my gun on top of the fridge and moved to the couch beside her.
“Banshee,” she groaned. She buried her face in the blanket, and I smiled. Aspen wasn’t as unaffected by me as she wanted me to believe.
