Page 132 of Kill for a Kiss

I huff under my breath. Damn, she clocks people fast too.

“I always wanted a sibling,” she says, frowning now. “Someone to split the weight with when things got ugly. Growing up in Darkhaven? Being the only child of a crumbling crime legacy?Hell…”

I don’t say anything. I don’t have to. She clears her throat, cutting through theheaviness.

“Anyway,” she says, brisk again. “We’re doing this. Taking Clo down won’t just help you. It’ll clean up Darkhaven too. Kys pumps into that city. Cut that circuit, the corruption goes with it.”

I nod again. No arguments there either. Seems like my half-sister makes a lot of sense. Maybe that’s what we inherited from Naomi. I sure as hell didn’t get it from Kai.

When the quiet settles for a few seconds, I stare across the room. Stan wraps the blanket tighter around Elle’s shoulders.

Kaye watches too, her smile brightening. “She’s different, huh?” she says, sounding fond. “The moment I met Elle, I knew it. She makes people feel seen and brings the best out of us.” With a soft sigh, Kaye continues, “She sees the criminals around her and acts like we’re actually people who still have potential to be humans.”

“I know,” I say.

“No duh,” Kaye taunts. “You’resoin love with her it’s leaking out of your damn pores.”

I grunt, not bothering to deny it. She smirks, tipping her head.

When our eyes meet, I see too much mischief in hers. “You better marry her, Sterling. I need her to be my sister-in-law, you got that?”

I smile a bit. My half-sister can’t keep getting away with this. I gotta get even. “You and Damon,” I say, glancing toward him. “Extended honeymoon? Didn’t want to come back to reality?”

“Please,” she says, waving a hand. “You’re just jealous that Dae and I got uninterrupted sex and sunshine formonths.”

I snort, silent and dry. “Not jealous of your poor judgment,” I counter. “Considering you once slept with Stan.”

Kaye’s smile widens with her brown eyes. Then her laugh booms across the room.

Stan looks up suspiciously our way. “Huh?” he asks, frowning from the other side of the room.

“Nothing, pumpkin!” Kaye calls sweetly.

I shake my head. She grins like we’ve known each other for years.

She bumps my shoulder. “And you,” she adds, still teasing, “would’ve hidden in that shack with Elle for a goddamn decade if the storm hadn’t ripped it out from under you.”

Shit, she got me again. I don’t say it, but a bigger smile tugs at my mouth.

Kaye notices, clearly pleased. “You realize,” she says, “I married a guy who shares a half-brother with me. Dae and you—same dad. Me and you—same mom.”

She sighs and spreads her hands in front of her as if she’s solving a fucked-up math puzzle.

“I don’t even know why I’m surprised anymore. My life’s always been one long soap opera.”

I let out a low laugh. “Tell me about it.”

My gaze goes back to Elle on the couch. She’s cradling her cup of tea, journal still open in her lap. Stan leans close, his hand rubbing her back. Another joke. Another laugh. My jaw sets. My muscles go tight.

Kaye sees it immediately. “Relax,” she says, nudging me one more time. “If Stan tries something stupid, I’ll break his nose before you do and before he can even blink.”

I hum low, but my mouth curves without thinking. Elle lifts her head and smiles at me again, and all my stupid worries disappear.

32

Elle

The warmth of the blanket around me and the teacup in my hands is starting to lull me under when I feel that unmistakable, quiet gravity pulling me back up to the surface. Sterling crosses the room with that effortless grace, except he’s moving a tad too tightly and tense. He’s trying not to look anxious. But I see it anyway. I’ve been able to tell after all the wonderful weeks I’ve gotten to spend with him.