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On the drive back to the hotel, she calls Ebony. I tap the steering wheel as the call rings, listening.

“Hey,” Sable greets. “Did Brett call you?”

“He texted me,” Ebony said. “He said something came up and asked me if I could pick up the girls from the house.”

Sable shakes her head. “Wow. Okay. Well, that works out, actually. Thank you, Eb. I’ll explain everything, I promise.”

“Good, because I have questions. Apparently, the girls can’t wait to see their cousin King again. That would be question one.”

Sable glanced at me. “I’ll explain when I see you.”

“Okay, but they seemed real excited about him. Said he made them pancakes and everything.”

The corners of my mouth twitch as I process those words.

“Eb…just…take care of my babies. Please.”

“Of course.” Ebony paused, wanting to say more, it was clear. But all she said was, “I love you. Be careful.”

“Love you, too.”

She ends the call and blows out a loud sigh. “Great. Now my sister thinks I’m cheating on my husband.”

I don’t respond to that. Cheating on that vile motherfucker wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

“And I can’t believe Brett. He basically sent my sister to a crime scene. He knew what she was driving into, King. He wanted to hurt her.”

I glance over. “Why would he do that?”

She scoffs. “He never liked my sister. He didn’t like anybody in my family, really. Except my mother.”

I nod. Mila Lovelace. I’ve seen her pictures. Gorgeous woman. Face like an angel, body like sin. She’s Sable, twenty years into the future.

“My mom was always really sweet with the Graves family. With everybody, really. She loved the music industry lifestyle.”

There’s a note in her voice I can’t quite identify. Bitterness, maybe.

“My parents are eleven years apart. Just like me and Brett. Crazy, right?”

I frown. “How old was she when they got married?”

“Nineteen.”

I push out a low whistle.

“I know,” she says, embarrassed. “The music industry is…you know how it is.”

I nod again, filing that away. “When we get back to the room, call her. See what she knows about Brett. She might have something we can use.”

I glance over at her again, my mind drifting back to the hotel. The kiss she pressed against my cheek. The way it had me shook.

It’s been years since anybody touched me with any measure of tenderness.

The last time was in the village, but I shove that memory down as quick as it came. It has no place here.

I still feel the warmth of Sable’s lips on my cheek, lingering like a brand I can’t wash off.

Not that I want to.