Page 86 of Blood

“Shelby’s family.” I repeat my words from earlier.

Silence fills the room.

“Then maybe it needs to be a family event,” he relents.

We sit, watching our girls.

I’m not worried that he knows. He clearly has skeletons of his own. Ones we should probably dig up for safekeeping.

I promised Samantha that I would make this right, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

My eyes find my girl.

My life.

My strength.

Nothing and no one will ever take her again.

EPILOGUE

Kaleb

Jogging down the last few steps to the ground floor of the cabin, I pause.

Mom and Sam are plating up the last of the food to take outside.

“Finally!” Mom huffs playfully. “Where did you run off to?”

“I just needed to go fetch something,” I say evasively. My left hand drops to pat the pocket of my slacks, and my heart races as if they can see through the material. “What, a man can’t have a free moment around here?”

“A man probably could.” My girl smirks.

A smile lights up my face.

“Behave, you two. Baby, grab the deviled eggs on your way out, please,” Mom asks, looking at me. “You okay with the salad and tongs?”

“I got it,” Sam reassures.

As soon as Mom is out the door, I trap my girl against the kitchen island. “That wasn’t very nice,” I pout.

Sam laughs, wrapping her arms around my neck. “You like me when I’m not nice.”

My hands slide around her waist, settling on the curve of her ass. “I like you naughty. There’s a difference.”

She smiles against my lips. “I’ll make it up to you.”

“Hmmm,” I hum. Stepping back, I take in her blue sundress. “Have I told you how beautiful you look today?”

“You did.” She nods. “Several times but I could hear it again.”

I slant my lips over hers. “Fucking gorgeous.”

“Remind me why we’re dressed nicely for a family barbecue.”

“I wanted everyone to look nice for my birthday, and you love me.”

My kisses move down the side of her neck. The taste of sunscreen mixes with her unique taste.