Page 79 of The Penalty

Beau scoops up Loki’s cage. “I can’t believe you’re making me take these creatures in my car. I’m going to need to get it detailed and it was just done last month.”

“They’re family. I can’t leave them here by themselves.”

“I’m your family. Not these rodents.”

He grumbles the entire time he’s carrying him out to the car.

I pull Dev over to the side of the door, so Beau can’t see us, dropping a quick kiss onhis lips.

“How are they doing?” He bends down, checking out the piggies he helped save.

“Great. Back to normal. All healthy.”

“Good. I’m glad.”

He still looks a little freaked out as he hefts the cage up, but he does it, lugging the heavy thing up and out the front door. I follow along behind with all their supplies in a tote bag, rolling my suitcase behind me.

“Stinks already.” Beau’s nose is wrinkled in disgust when he turns to give me a dirty look.

Dev offered me the front seat, but I can keep a better eye on my beasties back here, so I refuse.

My hand creeps up to touch my lips. They’re still tingling even after the brief contact. It’s not at all awkward being here in the car with my brother and his best friend who I’m sneaking around with. I really hope I can keep the polite charade up.

The car rolls smoothly down the driveway and out into the street, and there’s no turning back now.

They’re chatting away about hockey, so I shut my eyes, trying to get some sleep on the ride home. I’ll need all the rest I can get to deal with our parents.

The car pulling into our long driveway pulls me out of the sleep I fell into. I’m surprised I fell asleep. I must have been more tired than I thought.

“We’re here. Time to wake up, passenger princess.”

I yawn, drag my eyes open, and the anxiety comes rushing back at the sigh of the big white house looming over us at the end of the tree-lined drive.

“Wow,” Dev says.

“Welcome to our loving home.” Beau’s words are leaking sarcasm.

Beau pulls up around the back of the house in front of the smaller matching guest house.

“Pets first,” I say as we come to a stop.

“I know. Can’t wait to get these little monsters out of my car.”

“Whatever. You love your niece and nephews.”

“Sure I do.”

But he’s careful when he lifts Loki again, making sure not to bump his cage against the door.

I spin my keys around with a jingle until I find the one that opens the guest house, swinging the door open. It’s toasty and warm, with the gas fireplace flickering away in a warm welcome. It’s all for show. Like everything else in this house. There is nothing genuinely welcoming here.

“You can put them over there.” I point toward the sideboard in the small dining room area. It’s not like we ever eat there. Even if I can get away with breakfast or lunch in here, I’ll just veg out on the couch with a plate.

I drag my suitcase into the bedroom, lugging it up on the soft green bedspread and head back out.

“See you at lunch?” It’s more of a hopeful question than a statement.

“No way. You’re getting changed and coming into the main house to suffer like the rest of us.”

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