Page 117 of Save Me

As soon as we step inside, I’m hit by how much natural light is in the house, pouring in from windows all over. To the immediate left are the stairs, and to the right is the living room. Down the hall is the kitchen, bright with sunshine. Instantly, I’m hit with a vision of the wall full of pictures of us, Princess barreling down the hall from the kitchen to try and Shamoo his way out the front door, Minky jumping up and down at our feet. Maddox is in the kitchen, preparing dinner–steak, of course, because he’s thoughtful. He’s wearing an apron, making him look like a big, scary, grumpy princess of a man. I throw my bag down and run to him, giving him the biggest kiss on the lips. He kisses me back, harder, biting my lip and bending me over the island. Then he rips my pants off and⁠—

“Micah?”

I glance over to see Maddox is looking back, gently pulling on the hand I’m still grasping him with.

Oh. Right. The tour.

I swallow, following him. In each room, I see visions of our time together. As we go, I feel Maddox’s grip on me relaxing. His voice loosens as he asks questions of Susie. By the end, he even chuckles at something she says, and the sound goes right to my head. It’s such a beautiful sound that it makes me stop in my tracks.

Maddox is happy. He’s happy.

Oh my freak, I think I might die right here. But no, I can’t die! I need more of Maddox. More, more, more.

When we walk outside, I think I’m smiling like an idiot, but I can’t stop. Susie talks, but I don’t hear it. All I can see are visions of our animals dancing across the yard. I glance out further. There’s a trailer further down on the property, which Susie explained provides income in the form of rent and the tenants keep to themselves.

I glance over the car in the lot, a 67 Mustang, then stop. A 67 Mustang? Just like Logan’s.

Logan?

The door opens, and two men file out. They appear to be arguing with each other, and as soon as they’re all out, I recognize them, and I freeze.

Fudge. What are Logan, Ronan, and Dakota doing here?

CHAPTER SIXTY

Logan and Dakota get in the car while I stand there with my mouth open. What in the heck? Thank freak they didn’t see me. Logan will think I’m stalking him. I swear I’m not! He knows everything about me; he could have us by the balls.

Then, there’s movement in the front yard.

Holy creamsicle, I didn’t see Ronan. Ronan, who isn’t getting in the car. Ronan, who sees us. Ronan, who’s walking over.

HE’S WALKING OVER.

“The price is really good,” Maddox says begrudgingly.

Freak, freak, freak. Sound the alarm. Call the president! Call the genie and tell him all three of my wishes are to become invisible right freaking now.

Grabbing Maddox’s arm, I guide him to the car while rushing our goodbyes to Susie. Seeing Ronan might send Maddox right into the memory of the night with Arthur, just when he’s starting to feel better.

“Are you okay?” Maddox asks, his gaze sharp.

I must have pissed off some deity, because I’m not fast enough.

“Hey, fuckers!”

I stiffen. Maddox stiffens too, then looks over his shoulder.

Ronan is striding up with a grin on his face. He wiggles his fingers at Susie and crosses his arms, grinning at us, showing a lot of teeth.

“What you doing here?”

“House tour,” I say quickly. “What about you?” What are they doing here? Burying a body? Killing a live one?

My heart pounds, and suddenly my mouth is dry. I can sense Maddox’s stiffness beside me.

“The place needs a new roof.” Ronan nods at the house.

Susie still hasn’t left yet. She’s waiting by her car.