Page 25 of Savage Keepsakes

“Darlin’, when we share a bed, I won’t be able to keep my fucking hands off you.”

His words are clipped, but clear. He drapes his arm around my shoulders and looks out the kitchen window with me before kissing my temple and walking out of the room.

Oh, fuck me.

Seven

Lucy

Billy and I spent all morning taking the rotted wood off the porch and putting it in the trunks of our cars. Sweat beads on my brow, and I swipe it with the gardening glove.

He wipes his forehead with the bottom of his shirt. My gaze lingers on the contours of his slender physique, the taut muscles adorned with intricate tattoos. As our eyes meet, the jarring ring of my phone interrupts the moment.

Tensing at the unfamiliar number on the screen, I answer with a shaky, “Hello?”

“Lucy? Finally!” Barb’s voice filters through the phone. I roll my eyes, glancing at Billy, who’s gone back to tearing off the rotting wood.

“Do you know where Miles is? I’ve been to his apartment, but he isn’t there, and last night, his car was picked up from downtown.” Her voice piercesmy ear like a dentist’s drill. I struggle to resist the urge to end the call.

“I haven’t seen him in weeks. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.” I stare out over the front yard. In time I will add gardens to the entrance of the house and liven it up a bit.

“I’ve been calling for weeks. You never pick up the phone.” Her voice drips with hate.

“Didn’t recognize the number. Try calling his new girlfriend.” I pull the phone away from my ear and block her, then turn back to the porch.

Billy has gotten us a glass of ice water each. “Thanks,” I mutter, grabbing the cup.

“Who was it?” We sit on the edge of the porch where the boards are still good.

“Miles’s mother. She’s such a cunt.”

I think about my mother and how she never lived up to the role of a mom. No matter what I did, I could never get her to focus on anything other than herself.

Nothing was ever good enough for her. Neglect ran rampant, and my father compensated with the most dreadful form of attention.

“Want me to kill her?”

I turn to stare at him.

Billy arches a brow.

“Nah, death is too easy for her.” I laugh and glance down into my half-empty glass.

“Anytime you need someone taken care of, I got you, Lou.”

I nod without looking at him.

His fingers grip my chin with force, tilting my head towards his. I gaze into his dark brown eyes. “Seriously.”

“I know. How do we fix this? Now it has a hole in it.” I jerk my thumb to the porch, changing the subject so I don’t have to dwell on killing Miles’s mother.

“We’re almost done. The supplies are in the car. That Cruze might be a pain in my ass and wallet, but it’s got junk in the trunk.”

I bite my lip to hide the smile that wants to creep out. “What about the swing?”

“I know what I’m doing. I’ll be able to make you a cushion this week. That wood is too hard.”

I press my lips together as my brain rots in the gutter.

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