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“That’s not what I’m talking about.” He challenges me, and my fingers tremble against his arm. “You just let her talk to you like that?”
“She’s my sister,” I say, hoping it lands the way I need it to.
It doesn’t. How could it? The Strykers aren’t like normal siblings. Their bond is otherworldly. Irritation bubbles up in my chest.
“I don’t trust her,” Zeke says, shoving his feet into his boots.
“You barely met her.”
“I’m pretty sure I saw her,” Zeke lowers her voice. “On New Year’s. She was—”
“Zeke, stop,” I bark, and he snaps back at my tone. “Just go to work. We’ll talk when you get back.”
We lock in a stubborn battle for a few moments before he huffs and grips me behind the neck. He kisses me hard, and I melt into it like I always do, feeling full in his affection. When he breaks the kiss, he rests his forehead against mine.
“For the record, I think you’re fucking sexy. I love seeing you in my clothes.” He grins and kisses me again quickly before disappearing into the swirling winter snow.
I grip the hem of his shirt, his smell lingering around me. I should smile, knowing how he feels. I should feel giddy at his desire for me. But it all feels distant now. It all feels pretend with a sudden force that’s disorienting. I’m about to get deported and my sister magically shows up.
I get the sinking, dreadful feeling that my time has run out.
“How did you know I was here, Dru?” I ask again, returning to the main room.
Dru stands in the living room, frowning at one of Jet’s photographs. It’s one of my favourites of a lake near here, where the Strykers hung out as kids. Dru points to the photo with a sneer on her lip.
“You like this stuff now?” she asks, and I automatically shake my head.
It’s a lie. But it’s a habit.
Dru has always looked out for me, helped me see things for what they are, pushed me through my doubts and insecurities.
After a moment, she steps up to me, puts her arms around my shoulders, and lets out a deeply disappointed sigh. In the last fifteen minutes, I’ve gone from feeling like a badass sexual goddess with a man who adores me to a liar and lost girl, pretending to live a simple life with a simple man and believing it will fulfill me.
