Page 92 of Behind the Shadows

And that was enough to start the war.

39

HOLLAND

“I’m going to drop by Velvet Vortex, then I’ll see you later.” Kip leaned over the car console and kissed me.

“Sounds good.” I kissed him one more time before I climbed out of his car. Truthfully, we both had a lot to process, and I needed a minute to myself. I suspected he did, too.

His car idled in my driveway as I walked to the front entrance, unlocked it, then gave him a little wave before I stepped inside. Kip had insisted that he walk me inside, but I refused to lean on him for everything. I had my gun. I knew how to use it if I had to. So far, I’d been lucky. The thought of hurting another human being hurt my heart. At the same time, if my life depended on it, I’d already proved what I was capable of.

Thoughts of Dom invaded my mind, the sticky blood all over my hands as I sliced his neck with the piece of glass. Maybe those memories should terrify me, but they give me peace to know that he would never get up and hunt me … but Draco.

I clutched my purse to my side as I scanned the living room and kitchen before I closed the door behind me. I wasn’t stupid enough to think Draco was our only problem left, and once Kip and I dealt with him, I would be free for good.

I barked out a laugh as I drew my weapon and walked toward the kitchen. I swept the living room again, a shiver crawling up my spine. The last time I stood here, there’d been a smashed coffee table, an ashtray in pieces, Cooper’s body bleeding out across the rug, and pools of blood soaking into the floorboards. Now … nothing. Not a single trace. Everything was spotless, scrubbed clean like it had never happened. Kip’s handiwork. The kind of “cleaner” job I hadn’t been conscious to witness.

Everything was normal. All that was left was the bedroom, closet, and bathroom.

Feeling more confident, I looked under my bed and in the closet. It was all clear. Normally I would have chided myself for being so cautious, but I should have been this careful all along. If I had, maybe Draco wouldn’t have found me. I blew out a sigh of relief as I realized I needed to pee. I set my handbag and gun on the nightstand and hurried to the primary bathroom. Pushing the door the rest of the way open, I stepped inside and flipped on the light. A scream ripped through me, piercing the air as I struggled to wrap my head around what I was seeing.

Draco.

In my bathtub.

Dead.

But moving? I stared at his stomach, my mouth forming another scream.

“Fuck going pee.” I glanced down at the floor to make sure I hadn’t pissed my pants, then ran out of the room to find my phone and grab my gun. Once I had them, I bolted to the living room, trembling as I brought up Kip’s number.

He answered on the first ring.

“Miss me already?” he asked, a smirk in his tone.

“Yes. Please come over now.”

“Holland? What’s wrong? Are you safe?” Fear clung to his words.

“Yes, but I don’t want to tell you over the phone other than …” I gulped. “I’m not alone.”

“Fuck!”

Tires squealed, and I imagined he pulled an illegal U-turn back toward my place.

“I’m only five minutes away. Stay on the phone with me.”

“I will. Hurry. I—” I stammered. “I don’t understand. It doesn’t make sense.” My voice was a whisper.

“Did you call the cops? I’m three minutes away.”

“No. Oh god, as much shit is going on? No. The idea didn’t even cross my mind.” I leaned against the wall for support, counting in my head to distract myself from the sight of Draco in my tub.How is he moving if he’s dead?

“Good girl.”

Those two words made my thighs clench. Kip’s praise was low, possessive, and for a minute my body forgot there was a man in my bathtub and just focused on how I wanted Kip to bend me over, pull my hair, and fuck all the darkness away.

“I’m here. Open the front door.”