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“Because he’s the man that killed your sister.”
TWENTY-FOUR
VIOLET
We drove to a cabin in the woods.
A cute little thing in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the perfect backdrop of trees, a bubbling creek, and fresh, glorious air. I relaxed on the porch, breathing in the pine scent. If it weren’t for the man in the trunk, I’d be at ease. Happy, even.
Homesickness stabbed inside me as I got up, walking outside the cabin. A stack of logs sat against the side of the house. A shed stood in the backyard. I pictured evenings spent huddled by the fireplace, Mama’s laughter blending with the crackling embers as we shared stories.
The whine of a screen door broke the peaceful quiet. Achille walked toward me, his heavy footsteps crunching the grass.
I smiled. “This is nice. You come here often?”
He nodded, offering me a mug.
My heart fluttered as I took it, inhaling the steam. “Thank you. How’d you know chamomile was my favorite?”
He shrugged.
“This would be great for Jack,” I said, pointing at a nearby oak. “We could hang a tire swing on that tree.”
He looked at me, his voice soft. “I’m never here for vacation.”
Oh. My hands chilled as though the tea turned into ice.
Achille’s gaze shifted to the horizon, where the forest swallowed the setting sun. “This place is for when things get…complicated. I need to drive you back.”
“That wasn’t the deal.”
“I know, but you don’t want to see what I’ll do to this guy.”
“Yes, I do.”
His jaw tightened. “It’ll be too much. You’ll panic.”
I scoffed. “That’s not gonna happen.”
“Someone put a hit on you. I need to find out what’s happening, and I can’t do that with you here.”
I met his glare head-on. “You’re not sendin’ me home.”
“You don’t need to see this.”
“Well, you don’t decide that for me.”
“I’m not trying to control you.”
“I know you’re not. You’re afraid. You think I don’t know what you’re capable of, but sweetheart, I’m aware of what I signed up for. I asked around town. Everybody had a scary story about you. I still said yes.”
A shadow of pain flickered in his eyes. “Why?”
“Because only you could help me avenge my sister.”
His nostrils flared. “That’s all I am to you, a hired gun?”
“No, you’re so much more than that. You keep us safe. You tuck Jack in at night. You’re the only man who makes me feel…”
