Page 117 of A Wild Darkness

“You don’t have to. I know Christian is waiting to meet with you. And I’m sure you have a tracker on my phone by now anyway.” I thread my hands through his black hair.

Sebastian lifts his head to make eye contact. “I do. But I apologize if you think I was asking a question. Making sure you’re safe is not up for discussion. We’ve eliminated two of the members. I need to make sure you’re close to me.”

The urge to push back at his protectiveness is strong, but hell, do I think it’s hot. “Fine.”

“I can call Christian from the car,” he says.

A short time later, Sebastian is following close behind me as I make my way down the long driveway from Thompson Manor, past the security gates, and onto the winding highway.

My heart aches to speak with my sister. I need to tell her about everything that’s happened. Discussing the emotions I’m having and not having would give me some peace of mind since she’s gone through a similar experience. But I keep my eyes on the road, bound for Nevermore instead of calling her. Lux deserves a break from this chaos, and I only hope she’s getting all the dick she can take—with a few spa days and expensive wine thrown in.

The afternoon rain bellows at the windows, as scattered showers dot the sky. Small slivers of sunlight break through the gray clouds, creating little microbursts of moisture. Glancing in the rearview mirror, I spot Sebastian’s slick black car. He’s less than a car’s length behind me, leaving no room to be separated at a light or turn.

When I pull into the mortuary, a sense of familiar normalcy washes over me, settling my nerves from buzzing below the surface.

After parking, I grab my purse, give Sebastian a quick wave, and then head into the building. The smell of lilacs welcomes me into a space I call a second home.

“You’re back!” Kristine calls out from her office.

I give her a smile and wave and then head into mine directly across the hall. Quickly glancing at my gravestone art on the walls, each one a memory of a life once lived. Rounding the corner of my desk, I slump into my black leather chair and remove the laptop from my bag.

“How was your retreat?” Kristine walks into the office beaming.

I told Kristine and Noah I was going to a retreat for the weekend so I had an excuse for not being available.

I sigh, rubbing my thumb across the smooth, onyx stone’s eye of the skull figurine on my desk. The mineral is supposed to be good for protection and grounding, which is exactly what I crave right now. “It was good.”

“That’s it?” She climbs onto the couch under the large bay window, then brings one of the black lace pillows into her lap. “You were there for two days, I’m sure you feel a little more relaxed?”

The divine sensation of Sebastian’s lips peppering my neck with soft kisses returns, and I can’t help but blush at the memory. “You could say that.”

Kristine’s eyebrows slowly rise as her expression transforms from excitement to enthusiasm. “You got laid, didn’t you!”

I shake my head, biting back a grin. “I-I…uh…”

“Oh, my god!” she shrieks. “You are glowing!”

I give up the fight, letting myself feel the smile fully. “I-I did. Yes, I had sex.”

“Did you ever!” she exclaims, throwing the pillow to the side. “From the crimson shades on your face, he did good.”

I cover my face with my hands, my elbows resting on the desk. “Yes.”

“So, where does he live?” she asks. “Not in California, I hope.”

“No, he lives here in Seattle.”

Kristine takes a clip from the hem of her shirt and pulls up her hair as if feeling the heat from me. “So, who is he? What does he d⁠—”

“Stevie. You’re back.” Noah appears in the doorway.

“I am.” I smile. “How’s everything going?”

His expression looks troubled. “Good, but we got a body early this morning that I’d like you to look at.”

Kristine and I exchange a brief look of confusion before we both get up and follow Noah into the prep room.

“I was working on Mr. Hoover, twenty-five, with an apparent heart attack.”