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I swear the area still smells like my teenage years. I’ve visited over the years but always stayed downstairs in a guest room. Had I known when I was trying to put as much distance between us that the posters of Zendaya were still tapped to the walls, I would have dragged Aspen to a hotel to avoid the embarrassment.
“I will not apologize for teenage Malachi.” She giggles as she starts snooping around in my childhood room.
She pulls open a dresser drawer and picks up an old magazine.
“Well, I see teenage Malachi knows what went in the sock drawer.” She turns slowly with a vintage Playboy in her hand.
“Should I be afraid of holding this?” Her nose turns up adorably, making her dimples pop even more.
“Probably,” I laugh as she drops it on the floor.
“Eww.” She frowns at me while whipping her hands on her pants.
I chuckle as I go to a closet and grab fresh linens.
“I’ll change the sheets just in case.” I wink at her as Foxy starts barking.
“I’ll take her out and grab our bags.” She whistles, and Foxy follows her down the stairs.
I go to stop her and switch jobs but then think better of it. I really don’t want her inspecting the bed too closely. Maybe we should go to a hotel room.
“In coming!” I duck like a grenade is coming at me just in time to avoid getting hit by a can of Lysol.
“ASSHOLE!”
Jared chuckles from downstairs, and I shake the can, ready to spray it on the mattress before remaking it. He may be a crazy old man.
But he’s mine.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
SPARROW
“Hurry up,Foxy girl. It’s cold as fuck. We don’t want our bits freezing.” She runs to the tree line and sniffs around for a good spot while I open the truck.
I take our bags out and close the door right when a reflection of light on the truck windows draws my attention. It isn’t big, maybe a cell phone or a small flashlight. I glance at the area it would have come from but see nothing in the darkness now.
“Hello?” I call out, but no one answers.
Foxy starts growling, and the hairs on the back of my neck raise.
Something is not right. I grip the handle of the bags harder and start backing up to the house. I whistle for Foxy to follow, but she’s in full attack mode.
I scan the tree line again, and I can feel something watching me but see nothing. The heel of my foot bumps up on something, and I fall backward, letting the bags go to brace myself.
I land on my ass hard but manage not to hit my head. I roll over and see the porch a few feet away. I get to my hands and knees, but then a voice stops my progress of standing.
“That’s far enough. You’re an inconvenience for my family, Miss Hoss. I’ll ask you nicely to follow me, or I’ll shoot the dog and drag you to my car.” The man’s voice is heavily accented and leaves no room for interpretation.
He means to do exactly what he said.
I turn slowly as I stand and put my hands up. Foxy barks at him, and I cringe when the pistol aimed at me turns to her.
“Silence her. Now.” I nod.
“Foxy, home.” She whines as she looks from me to the man.
“Foxy, go!” I hiss, and she slowly moves to the house.
