Page 97 of Bleed the Shadows

“There’s something else,” I said. “About Ethan Todd. About the house.”

59

MAEVE

We couldn’t besure a bunker had been built under Dimitri Kaprolov’s house, but at least we knew to look for one and Bram put in a call to someone who worked in the planning department to see if we could get a copy of the blueprints for the house now occupied by Ethan Todd.

After hours in the kitchen, I took a shower and chose a red cashmere sweater to wear over a black skirt. Bailey would be arriving soon and my stomach twisted with nerves. I was about to get four of the most important people in my life together in the same room and I really wanted them to like each other.

Plus, in two days the Butchers would hunt Ethan Todd. I wanted to enjoy every moment until then.

Ray watched me from the bed, his mouth open in a smile, like he knew how important the night was and was excited to watch it all play out.

I chose gold drop earrings, then hesitated over the black velvet box on my dresser. I’d left it behind when I’d left the loft after Bram had refused to kiss me, but it had been waiting on the dresser when I returned, like the Butchers had always known I’d be back.

Now I opened it and looked at the red enamel apple pendant at the end of the gold chain.

It was impossible not to think about the day the Butchers had taken me apple picking. Impossible not to think about the way Poe and Remy had fucked me under the apple trees while Bram had watched, his eyes dark with hunger even before he’d been willing to admit there was something between us.

The necklace had felt like a symbol of everything that had been so fucked up about my first two months in the loft: the temptation of forbidden things and the consequences of giving in to them, consequences that had shattered my heart into a million pieces.

It had felt safer to leave the necklace behind.

Now it felt like something else. A reminder that good things could come out of bad ones, that situations — and people — weren’t always what they seemed.

I’d told Bram it was never too late to change. I still believed that, even about myself.

I removed the necklace from the box and clasped it around my neck.

“Come on, boy,” I said to Ray. “It’s time to meet Bailey.”

Ray hopped off the bed and followed me into the hall.

The Butchers were waiting for me in the living room. Mine, for now at least.

The Christmas tree twinkled by the window and someone — probably Remy — had put on the Christmas playlist. Main Street was lit up below, and the house was filled with the smell of the newly-baked Black Forest cake, which we’d have after Christmas dinner the next night.

And my men? Well, my men looked even more delicious than the cake.

“Red is definitely your color, killer.” Remy’s blond hair was still damp from the shower, and the dark green sweater he’dworn over slacks made his eyes look as verdant as the Christmas tree behind him. “The color of blood and lust.”

I laughed. “Thanks?”

Poe grinned. “I think it’s less the color and more what’s inside the package, if you catch my drift.”

His dark jeans hugged his muscular thighs, and his long-sleeve T-shirt stretched across his broad shoulders.

“Our killer does have amazing tits,” Remy said.

“Oh my god, stop.” My cheeks were on fire.

Bram closed the distance between us and looked down at me, his dark eyes shining like liquid ebony. He reached for my necklace and lifted the apple pendant, then returned his gaze to mine.

“You’re perfect, as always.”

I put my hand on his chest and wondered if my heart would ever stop feeling like it was going to beat right out of my chest when I touched him. “You look pretty amazing too.”

He’d worn dress pants and a deep red button-down shirt. The top three buttons were unfastened, giving me a glimpse of the ink that crawled up his chest and onto his neck.