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“I didn’t know what else to do.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Ruth
The kitchen doors swing open and Cole comes barreling through. He appears to be every bit as surprised to see me as I am to see him, which makes little sense given that he’s in my house.
“What are you doing here?” I ask at the same time he says, “Johnny invited me.”
“You could’ve said no.” I know this is the absolute worst time for an argument. I have much bigger fish to fry, but just seeing his face, I can’t help myself.
“Where is he?”
When I don’t offer an immediate response, Cole turns toward the door. “Forget it. I’ll find him.”
“He’s out,” I say. “On a call.”
“Great.” He gives me the once over. “In that case, I’ll wait outside.”
Cole pushes the kitchen door open, giving me one last glance over his shoulder. Suddenly, he pivots on his heel. As he looks from me to Davis, his entire demeanor changes.
I watch his expression shift as recognition takes hold. He stares at the butcher knife in Davis’s hand, and he realizes he didn’t just walk in on an argument between two siblings.
With a nod, I say, “You should wait outside.”
Cole surprises me by sliding a chair out from under the table and taking a seat.
I stand frozen in place, my feet half ready to run, half bolted to the floor as he places his hands on the table and spreads his fingers wide. I know Cole carries a pistol, so the move is generous on his part, and also, in my opinion, stupid.
I won’t lie. This sort of stunt makes me fall in love with him a little bit. I hate us both for it.
Cole doesn’t think he’s in danger. But he didn’t see what I saw upstairs. Davis doesn’t just kill people, he resets their faces.
Another booming sound comes from the cellar.
His chin juts toward Davis. “Johnny down there?”
I shake my head.
My brother tightens his grip on the knife.
I wonder how quick on the draw Cole is.
I wonder whether I want him to be quick enough.
Chapter Forty
Ruth
A single light bulb dangles from the ceiling. It sways from side to side like a pendulum, and as it moves, it flickers on and off. It comes to life before dying out again.
Cole did not draw his weapon. He didn’t have to. Davis volunteered to show us what’s in the cellar. It could be a trap, which is why I move down the old creaky stairs slowly and cautiously, deeply afraid of what I am going to find. Deeply afraid of never seeing the light of day again.
I don’t think that my brother would hurt me. But fear makes people do stupid things, things they wouldn’t ordinarily do.
My heart picks up pace, something I didn’t think was possible.
Davis is two steps behind me. And just behind him, Cole urges us both on.
