Page 81 of Heads You Lose (Grim & Beast Duet 2)

“And will you?”

“Will I what?” she asks absentmindedly.

“Gut her?”

She blows out a long breath. “Cutting someone open is normally your thing, isn’t it?”

“Shoot her then?”

“Probably.”

“Probably?” I question.

“I need to sort some things out first.”

“You mean Malakai? You know how I feel about that. I don’t trust him.”

“I don’t either, but he’s the closest we’re going to get to locating the King. Besides, that isn’t my biggest concern right now.”

“It’s not?”

Kate shakes her head. “Ford’s staying at the Pullen’s Group Home for Boys on the other side of town. I was hoping to get him into the one closer to here. Make it easier on him to swing by the club. That and the fact that Pullen’s has a reputation. Most of the kids who leave there are more damaged than when they went in.”

“Yeah, so I’ve heard.”

“I’m hoping Hudson can help with the move.”

“Hudson? How ishegoing to help?” I ask snarkily. If I sound like a jealous prick, it’s probably because I am one.

“Because he has contacts at the local authority.”

“Since when?”

“Since you’ve been away. Hudson and his brothers haven’t just been building a business, they’ve set up a charity specifically aimed at supporting kids in care.”

“What exactly does the charity do?” I ask, trying to hide my motherfucking eye twitch because Hudson is proving to be a goodie two-shoes, pain in my arse. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t begrudge those kids’ support, fuck knows they’re deserving of it, but does Hudson really have to be such a good fucking guy?

“One that supports kids’ emotional and psychological health, providing therapy, day trips out, that kind of thing.”

I groan, not because I think it’s a shit idea, but because Kate’s gaze fills with pride and my little jealous heart wants to throttle Hudson for making her go all gooey-eyed. “How the fuck am I supposed to compete with that?”

“He’s always going to be in my life, Beast,” she replies, evading my question which only pisses me off more.

“Don’t mean I got to like it,” I grumble, folding my arms across my chest in a sulk. I know I’m acting like a petulant child, but I’ve started and now I can’t seem to stop.

Kate squeezes my arm and gives me an indulgent smile. “If I’ve not already made it clear, I loveyou.”

“Sounds like you love him too.”

“I do.”

“Fucking shitballs,” I snap, really making a fucking fool of myself now. I’m not usually this insecure, and I’m pretty sure I deserve a good hiding if I don’t reel my neck in soon, but I can’t seem to help myself. Kate giggles then slams her mouth shut when I glare at her.

“You’re jealous.”

“I can’t fucking help it.”

The laughter in her eyes softens to love. “He’s my best friend, Beast, but it isn’t him that makes my knees weak. It’s you.”

---