"The important rules, yes. I follow them. I always try and do right by the important ones."
"And this one counts?"
“Does for me.” He sighed. “These boundaries exist for good reasons, things would get too messy if… I haven’t crossed this line before. It seems like the type of ruledesignedfor guys like me, so I should probably listen. The second I cross it once, well… it’s better left alone.”
Huh.
Chase resumed driving, tension lessening between us. I mulled over his words until the car slowed. I looked out the window and realized we were there.
"Let’s say that the case ends.” I had to ask this now or lose my chance. “If you weren’t on the job anymore, what happens then?"
Chase parked the car and turned off the engine. “…Maybe things would be different then.”
…
"See, was that so hard?" My door didn’t open fast enough so I slapped it a few times for good measure.
"What, are you mad?"
“Of course not!” I flew out of the car and slammed the door shut. “Just put me out of my misery next time and tell me. Yes, you’d date my cousin if you could but because of me you can’t. I’mso sorryme being in danger cramps your dating life.”
"What? What the-Lucas come on, wait. Slow down."
"Hurry up."
“Let’s take a second here—"
“Just drop it.” I reached the porch and rang the doorbell.
"Lucas."
"There’s nothing else to say." I rang the bell again. No answer. This was taking too long.
Uncle Gary kept his spare key literally right next to the door in the potted shrub to the left. I grabbed the key and opened the door.
"Wait, Lucas—"
"Let’s just get this over with."
"Seriously don’t—Lucas, no!"
I ignored him or tried but he reached out and grabbed the back of my shirt—his borrowed shirt. I stopped, then threw myself forward, which he hadn’t been expecting because instead of breaking free I pulled him along with me. Only then did it register how his voice sounded different at the end, more urgent, like he realized—
The door shut behind us. Darkness, then the lights flashed on… and showed a picture which made zero fucking sense. My eyes were trying to tell me my father and uncle were in front of us, pointing weapons at Chase and me.
11.Secrets from the Past
Lucas
Stepping into a familiar home I’d visited countless times, nothing made sense anymore. Chase tried to warn me about something while I refused to listen and now… A bright flash of red light blinded me for a moment, seemingly from nowhere. Shouting followed.
"Don’t move!"
"Step away from him!"
Yep, still confusing as hell.
Men I knew all my life, men usually sensible and even-tempered, were yelling and holding strange weapons. I watched the scene in a daze.
