Page 257

Though I wince, this isn’t about my mom and whatever weird relationship they had together. “Why did you come here?”
“Put letter. My. Office.” His hand grabs mine. “Not kill. Her.” He vomits. “Clarisse.”
Before I can pick apart that minefield, Callan bites out, “He was going to plant it in Colt’s office!”
I turn to my husband who has fire in his eyes. Glancing at the hold his brothers have on him again, I mumble my thanks to the universe. Left to his own devices, I don’t think Colt would have stopped doling out the type of punishment Clyde served upon him for years.
A long time ago, I remember telling him how I’d like to witness when the abused turned on the abuser. I got my wish, but from his expression, there’s no closure to be found here. None at all.
The cops arrive but they don’t take him away. An ambulance does.
For the first time in centuries, two sets of enemies work together, united in the face of a shared nemesis, as they describe how Clyde stormed onto the scene and started a fight that Cole, Colt, and Cody were all involved in.
Self-defense… when it wasn’t.
Everyone shares in the mutual lie to protect Colton.
The sergeant appears dubious but he declares, “I’ll let this go seeing as you kept your word about contacting us as soon as he showed up.” He stares at the letter I handed him upon his arrival then glowers at Cody. “I’ve heard all about this ridiculous new idea coming out of the provincial government… If this is how the head of the marshals will treat a suspect, we have some interesting times ahead.”
The pissing contest matters more to him than the day’s events because the sergeant makes a retreat before Cody can respond.
As quickly as the chaos commenced, it fades.
I stick to Colt’s side while he methodically scrapes off the charred meat that burned onto the grill as Tee declares, “I was right. Pigeon Creek got way more interesting while we were in New York.”
I wish I could argue with her… but I can’t.
Text Chat
Parker: Just a heads-up, but Tee’s Butch Cassidy is going no contact
Zee: You’re about four hours too late with that warning
Parker: Sorry. It was nuts around here. My bad
Zee: I read his Dear John. It was weird.
Parker: I heard it. Four times. Then she took a picture for me and forced me to read it back to her
Zee: Your sacrifice is appreciated
Parker: SHE MADE ME ACT IT OUT, ZEE
Parker: Then all hell broke loose on the Sinners’ compound
Parker: Samael went missing.
Zee: Nyx’s kid?
Parker: Yup. Toddled off and fell asleep in the shop. Scared everyone shitless. Think Nyx lost three years of his life. Sammy’s jealous of the new baby. Used to having all the attention.
Parker: But, hey, they’re the ones who named him after a demon so they have to deal with the aftermath.
Parker: How’s our girl doing?
Zee: She’s all right. Got drunk. May have flirted with one of Colt’s brothers. Will regret that in the morning, but she’s safe.
Zee: Hey, I’m thinking of asking her to move back to Pigeon Creek.