Page 5 of Blood (A Killer’s Love #4)

“Nothing.” The young woman shrugs. “I’m sure nursery rhymes are exactly what she needs to keep her awake.”

Mom’s hand soothes Dad’s shoulder. “I think we can do better than that.” She laughs. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll keep you wide awake. And if the music fails, I’ll just talk to you.”

“You want help?” I ask Dad, seeing him start to pick up the bags.

“Yes, please.” He smiles gratefully when I take what he’s already holding and juggle the other bags until only one small cooler bag is left for him to grab.

I did try to kill the man not too long ago. The least I can do is get the bags.

“Good boy,” he praises, which just sets off another round of giggles. Only this time, all of the women are laughing.

“You’re all just jealous,” I call out, tipping my nose in the air. I keep my expression straight and turn for the door.

Dad’s chuckle joins the girls’.

“Let me get the door,” he insists, clapping his hand down on my left shoulder.

I raise my brows and lift the bags slightly. “I mean, it’s the least you can do.”

His grin matches mine.

Together, we make our way to my parents’ car, the stillness of the night contagious as silence falls between us.

Even the thick wooden steps refuse to creak as we descend them.

My dad seems to be lost in thought as he unlocks the car.

I turn left to right, checking our surroundings as we step farther from the cabin.

The rustling of huge trees in the slight breeze puts me back on edge.

Cromwell is a safe town. A go anywhere, anytime kind of place. It helps that my brothers and I are the only true danger in town, but these break-ins have everyone on edge.

“Kaleb,” Dad says, grabbing my attention when I reach the open trunk. Stopping next to him, I load the bags into the car. “I know you think Sam is a grown woman, but this whole breaking and entering has been happening all over town . . .”

“I’ll take care of her, Dad. No one gets to her without going through me.”

He sighs. “Well, after that display, I can’t really worry. Can I?” he asks, nodding at the house.

“The only danger to Samantha is my palm when she no doubt gets bratty and develops an attitude because she’s hungry.”

His loud laughter slices through the darkness. “You have to stop threatening that. One day, she’ll believe you.”

My laughter joins his. If only he knew how often his daughter has sported a red ass. My palm twitches just thinking about it. Our parents won’t amend her behavior . . . so I do.

My cock twitches at the thought. Feeling excitement hum through my body, I give myself a mental head slap. She’s your sister, I remind myself. Is she, though?

Memories of my childhood before the Cromwells assault me. Hunger, pain, and loneliness. Things a child should never feel, not from their mother. Not that the whore was much of a mother.

My years before joining the Cromwells were full of days sitting outside a small filthy apartment while my mother fucked whichever John had darkened our door.

Helen and Christopher taught me what family is, how to love, how to live.

The whore taught me how to fear, how to hate.

It’s because of her I learned how to kill.

It’s because of her that I enjoy it.

The Cromwells were too late. They fixed a lot, but there was no repairing that part of me. Images of dead hookers make my pants tight. Reaching down, I discreetly squeeze my crotch as I follow my dad and re-enter the house. Now is not the time.

Frustration joins my arousal. I didn’t get the release I needed tonight, a fuck or a kill.

My sigh causes Christopher to turn.

“We’re only a call away. An hour and thirty minutes tops. Any issues, just call.”

“I’m not worried,” I reassure, “just tired. And everything here will be fine. So far, only commercial properties have been burglarized. What are the chances the first home they hit is mine? Update me about Charlie and the baby?”

“Of course, of course.”

“Alright, babies, we’re leaving,” Mom announces. “Girls, behave for Kaleb. Samantha, I’m talking to you.” She gives the woman in question a pointed look.

Sam holds her hands out, palms up. “What have I ever done?”

“For starters, we’re going to chat about you never answering your phone.” I huff.

“I don’t know where it is.” She shrugs.

“And that’s what we’ll follow up with.”

Sam rolls her eyes. “Daddy, can I please come with you?”

“No.”

At her pout, I see him hesitate. So does our mother.

“Sorry, baby, not this time. Your dad and I will be busy helping with Belle, going back and forth from the hospital and the hotel room. People will be sleeping, so there won’t be much to do. Besides, you don’t want to leave Shelby here by herself, do you?” Mom asks.

“No,” Sam mumbles, squinting her eyes at me. “Can you at least tell Kaleb to get the stick out of his ass?”

My face drops to a blank stare. “Is that how we’re starting tonight?”

“No,” she mumbles again, her eyes flitting from me to my father and back. We both know why. If we had been alone, she’d have added a “sir.” I don’t push, though. I think we’ve all had enough tonight.

“I started my night with a heart attack,” Shelby chimes in to save her friend. “I’m still having palpitations,” she declares dramatically, holding a hand to her chest.

“I think a few hours of sleep will fix that,” I tell her, looking down at my watch.

“You ladies grab your bags, please.”

“Can’t we just stay here?” Sam asks.

“No.” I shake my head. When she opens her mouth to speak, I continue, “Baby girl, I’m tired. I have at least three gray hairs now. I want food and to sleep in my own bed.”

“Okay,” she whispers, losing all her fight. Dragging the blanket off, she rises from the sofa. Shelby follows suit.

I feel even more of my earlier stress melt away when the girls pick up a backpack each from behind Sam’s sofa.

“We weren’t sure where you wanted to go, so we had them get ready just in case.” Mom smiles.

“Thank you,” I mouth as we head out and lock up.

“Kaleb, where’s your car?” Mom asks, looking around.

I point up the road. “Blocking the exit, so we need to get going, girls.” I try to rush them as Mom pulls them in for another hug.

“Oh, hush you.” Mom smiles. “We could be gone for a few days. I want to hug my babies one more time.” Her arm shoots out in invitation for me to join.

Sighing, I give in because no one tells Helen Cromwell no. Spreading my arms wide, I pull my dad into the hug too and pull my parents close. The five of us stand in a huddle for a few minutes before a final goodbye.

“I love you,” I tell them as they climb into my dad’s car.

Mom pauses. “We love you too, sweet boy.”

“I’m so tired.” Sam yawns. “Why did you park so far away?”

“Because I thought someone was murdering my whole family, and I didn’t want him to hear me coming when I avenged you,” I reply, too tired to filter my response.

Shelby makes a weird gurgle sound, causing me to look. Her hands are clenched into fists as she tries to stop shivering. If her jaw clenches any harder, she’ll chip a tooth.

“You should both have coats on. The truck’s unlocked, run and climb in.” The words are barely out of my mouth before Shelby takes off, making me smile. “Are you not cold?” I ask Sam, who is still walking calmly next to me.

“When have you known me to run?” She frowns. “Unless someone is chasing me, I’m good.”

The image warms my body. Being surrounded by tall, thick trees still covering the ground in darkness does nothing to help. Instead, the scenarios keep coming, images of what can never be.

We catch up to Shelby quickly, and she’s struggling to pull the door open. “Come here.” I place a hand on her back as she steps down and move her to the side slightly before pulling the heavy door open. “Careful,” I warn, helping both girls in.

Headlights settle on me as our parents wait for me to move the large truck. Giving a final wave, I climb in behind Sam, discreetly adjusting my cock as I sit. The fucker hasn’t gone down since Samantha mentioned being chased.

“This is a really big truck,” Shelby comments from the passenger seat, holding her hands over the heating vent even though the truck isn’t running. “Do you get lonely driving around all the time?”

With a flick of my wrist, the vehicle rumbles to life.

“No.” I smile with a shake of my head. Company isn’t hard to find, I silently add. Even if they’re not the woman I want.

“I wish you wouldn’t travel so much,” Sam murmurs. Propping her elbows on the two seats, she leans forward from where she is sitting on the small cot that I bed down on while on long hauls.

“I have to work.” I shrug.

“I know, but you could work in town or close like Michael and Daniel do.”

“Sam,” I sigh. We’ve had this conversation before. She doesn’t understand. She never will because I will never tell her the reason I travel—the access it gives me. But we’re not doing this tonight. I’m tired, she’s tired, and that never ends well.

Sam’s arm shoots out as we come to the end of the road, causing me to yank my head back.

“Oh look, you hit the tree. Mustn’t have seen it in the dark.” She tuts, shaking her head.

My irritation level skyrockets. She did not just say that?

“First of all, get your arm out of my face,” I start, then tap her arm with two fingers.

“Second, I have never, ever hit anything with any vehicle. Never. And third,” I snap, turning to her with raised brows, “that”—I point at the deformed tree—“is still a sore subject. You stole my car and then totaled it by hitting a fucking tree.”

“I don’t know. That damage looks kind of new.” The playful look on her pretty face does nothing to sway my irritation. It was a great car.

“That damage is a year old, and you know it,” I tell her, holding up a finger.

Shelby’s soft giggle slices the tension.

“Shelly belly, I suggest you remember whose house you will be staying in.”

She clears her throat, and I peek over as she forces a serious expression. “That’s horrible, Samantha. You should be ashamed, and your license should be cut up.”

My lips twitch at hearing my own words from a year ago echoed. Clearly, my girl has been talking.

“You ever gonna get over it?” Sam whispers, leaning closer.

“No.”

I loved that fucking car.

“You still love me?”

I don’t answer, too busy concentrating on maneuvering the large vehicle out onto the main road. My heart jumps when Sam rests her chin on my shoulder.

Once we’re safely out and on our way, I give in. “You know I do, you little brat.” Lifting my right hand, I cradle her head and press a kiss to her temple while keeping my eyes on the road.