Page 99 of Savage Keepsakes

Lou’s worry-filled face shatters the remnants of my already broken heart.

I’ve spent the day burning parts of the barn, the bodies gone. Every bit of evidence that couldn’t be destroyed was brought back to my shop.

“Yeah, I know.” I blow out a slow breath.

I have to find out more about what happened today. With a forced smile, I nod, unable to speak as the realization of losing everything washes over me.

I grab her hand, pulling her up to stand. We walk into the house with our fingers interlaced.

“What if they find your shop?”

The chill from this morning deepens into my bones. I pull my hat off and set it down on the counter.

“Why would she think to say anything?” I look at Lucy.

“I don’t know. Nerves.”

I see why, because Cotton-Candy Whore knows who I am and what I do.

“Let me take them away,” I whisper.

I slide my palms over her cheeks, feeling the warmth of her skin. Running my fingers over her, I can’t help but notice the smoothness beneath my calloused hands.

Leaning in, I press my lips against hers, my touch finding its way to her nape.

“Shower?”

Before I can answer, my phone rings. Pulling it out of my pocket, the unknown number looks back at me. “Hello?”

“Mr. Davis?”

“Speaking.” I let go of Lou and point upstairs for her to shower.

“I’m Detective Shaw. Trying to piece together a hell of a puzzle and covering all the bases I can,” he says.

I grip the phone and walk out onto the porch. Lighting another cigarette, I pace. “How can I help you?”

“We’re trying to figure out how your taxidermy shop ties into one of our victims.”

The wooden slats beneath my feet seem to fall away. The air I exhale feels like it’s laced with tiny shards of broken glass, cutting through my throat.

“I’m as intrigued as you. Do you have a hunter there?”

“We have a young woman clinging on to life with severe injuries and a bloody flyer for your company in her back pocket.”

That’s much more damning evidence than I ever thought possible.

“Not sure, sir. Maybe she picked it up somewhere?”

“Perhaps. We’ll be in touch. Stay in town. You’d have no problem with a search of your shop?”

I grit my teeth and bile crashes around my stomach. “As long as you got a warrant, I’m cool with anything.”

The sigh on the other end of the phone is the last thing I hear before he hangs up.

I know what I will have to do, but for now I’ll live in denial as I walk up the stairs to Lucy, getting out of the shower. Her luscious body greets me, her perfect pink lips smile when her eyes meet mine. “Anything important?”

“Nah, someone enquiring about rates for their deer’s head,” I tell her.

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