Page 40 of Dead and Buried

It sticks out of the wood, pinning the papers she just wrote into place. Then she turns on her heel and leaves the room. “Welp, that answers that worry of yours.” I look up at Zane, who’s watching the door with lost puppy dog eyes. “Did you really think she would have done it? She’s not stupid or soft-willed. I haven’t spent as much time with her as you and even I can see that. I think you’ve got this image in your mind where she just needs protection, and that’s just not true. She needs allies, not guards.” I stand up, tugging the knife from the desk and gathering my things.

“I just want to keep her safe,” he whispers.

I shake my head. “You’re still trying to put her in a bubble. Stand beside her, not in front of her.” I lift a brow at him. “Now go apologize and convince her to come home with you so we can have a talk with her while she’s not drugged out of her mind.” I walk out of the room, leaving him behind to think about what I said.

I exit the building to see Viviana storming over to where Sloane is being cornered by some blonde girl. I watch as she pushes herself between them and faces off with the girl. All I can hope is that she doesn’t have another knife on her.

Leaning against the building, I watch them. I won’t interfere unless I have to. Zane stomps out of the building and stops next to me. “What’s going on?” he asks, watching the argument taking place.

I shrug. “I have no idea. I think she’s defending Sloane’s honor.”

Zane crosses his arms over his chest. “If Cathleen touches her, she’s dead.”

I groan. “Beside her, not in front. We literally just talked about this.”

His shoulders fall and he nods. Though his entire body tenses when Carol grabs a handful of Viviana’s hair and yanks. The malicious smile should have been a clue that she wasn’t taking that lying down. Viviana grabs Carol’s hand and I think I might even hear a snap from all the way over here. Carol wails and falls to the ground, cradling her hand to her chest. Viviana smirks down at her and says something before reaching back and grabbing Sloane’s hand to tug him away from the screaming girl.

She pats his arm soothingly and nods at whatever he’s saying. “Guess Sloane will get her to the house,” I say as she gets into his car with him.

Zane grumbles under his breath, but I ignore him because I’m pretty sure the sharp feeling in my chest is the same jealousy he’s feeling.

Viviana

Ifollow Sloane through the house to the kitchen. Hoisting myself up onto the island, I watch as he goes about making sandwiches for us. That’s how he got me here. He tried to bribe me with candy but I said no. My dad may be a criminal, but he taught me not to go home with a stranger even if they offer me candy. He never said anything about a turkey sandwich, though.

I’m still fuming over how stupid Zane thinks I am. Why are men all so insufferable and kind of right? I didn’t understand what Dr. Price was doing, and that’s a little shitty. Though it makes my reaction more understandable. I was so turned on while he leaned over me to watch me write. I felt ashamed and silly for it. I’m so distracted I don’t even notice Sloane standing before me until he’s placing a plate in my lap. “Thanks,” I tell him softly.

He smiles at me. “Want to tell me what’s wrong?”

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Everything is wrong. I came here to be safe. All I wanted was to be near Cain Price so I could feel safe and I do. Now Enzo is coming to their house and I’ve got them wrapped up in covering up the death of two madmen. Ethan won’t let this go quietly. So I decide to go with the biggest thing on my mind and also the least fatal. “I got into a fight with Zane.”

He swallows his mouth full of turkey sandwich. “About what?”

I shrug, taking a bite of my own sandwich. After I swallow, I look out the window above the sink. In the backyard, there’s a little blue shed with a tin roof. “He thinks I’m some kind of invalid.”

Sloane makes a noise of disagreement. “That can’t be true. He really likes you.”

“He practically told Dr. Price I have no thoughts of my own and would do whatever I’m told like some kind of stupid, brainless puppet.”

He places his hand on my knee. “Look, I love Z and all, but sometimes he says stupid shit without thinking about how it sounds.” I roll my eyes. That’s the understatement of the century, but it does make me feel better. But Zane and I are usually on the same page when it comes to miscommunications. “What else has you all upset? I know that can’t be it.”

I huff, looking away. “I tried to choke out Nox, and he was just going to let me do it.” I pout at him. “It’s no fun when they don’t fight back.”

He chokes on his sandwich and sets the rest aside. “Why did you try to choke Nox?” I roll my lips in and shake my head. No way am I going to admit that Nox told Dr. Price about the cringy shrine I had for him in my closet. “Fine, don’t tell me. I’m sure he deserved it either way.”

I nod because that’s definitely true. A car door closes outside, followed by a second, and I frown at Sloane. “They’re going to be pissed,” I say with a sigh.

He quirks a brow. “You did lie to all of us for months.”

“Whose side are you on anyway?” I cross my arms.

Sloane laughs at me even though I didn’t say anything funny. He ruffles my hair before tucking his hands under my armpits and lifting me from the counter to deposit me on my feet on the floor. “I’m on whatever side leaves us all alive and unharmed at the end.”

“So, the side where I leave and never talk to you guys again?” I clarify, because it’s true, and while the idea does break my heart, it would be safer for them not to be around me anymore. Too bad I’m too selfish to make thatchoice.

Sloane shakes his head. “Yeah, right. Like you’d ever be able to get rid of us now.”

That response makes me happy, even though I’m pretty sure he meant it as a threat. Before I can do something embarrassing like cry again, the door opens and closes, “Honey, I’m home!” Zane shouts, and Sloane and I both roll our eyes.

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