Page 43 of Killer Moonshine

“Have we ever seen anything like this?” asked Nine.

“Not that I’m aware of,” said Wilson.

“I don’t want those kids going mad, thinking they’re hearing things when I know damn good and well they’re not. I believe them. I believe every word they say.”

“I spoke to Hawk. He said the other night, he heard Wyatt talking to someone in his bedroom. It was late, maybe midnight. Wyatt’s cell phone was connected to the cradle in the kitchen charging,” said Cruz. “Hawk stood at the door a few minutes, then pushed it open and didn’t see anyone with him. When he asked who he was talking to, he said Monroe.”

“Monroe? He’s a good five hundred yards away in another cottage. Did they have walkies?” asked Nine.

“No,” said Cruz quietly. “Wyatt said that he can hear Monroe. In his head.”

“Fucking hell,” muttered Nine. Victoria started to walk toward them, and they all stilled, smiling at her.

“You don’t have to pretend,” she said. “I heard everything you were talking about. It’s not just Monroe and Wyatt. I can speak that way with Stephanie but not with Katelyn. I can’t do it with Hayes, but Hayes can do it with Marilisa.”

“You didn’t tell us any of this,” frowned Nine.

“What would you have thought? Honestly? I mean, we start hearing one another, speaking to one another after finally all being together, and you’re going to think we’ve all lost our minds.”

“Honey, I promise if anyone is losing their mind, it’s me. Something is happening to all of you, and I’m pissed at myself for not being able to figure it all out.”

Victoria took the seat beside him, staring at the men seated on the edge of the fountain.

“Listen to me. This isn’t your responsibility to ‘figure out.’ We’re all doing exceptionally well because of the life you’ve given us here. We’re happy, well-fed, educated, and becoming more educated by the day. We have friends. We have family. We have everything we’ve ever wanted.

“Riley and Gabi said that we’re not sick. No one is dying. No one has anything that will hurt them. Whatever this is inside of us, we’ll figure it out, and we’ll all be okay. Here. Right here. We’re not going anywhere.”

Nine smiled at the young girl, hugging her tightly and kissing her forehead.

“Thank you for saying that. I’ll also have to remember to watch what I say from now on. If you can hear from anywhere, I might get into trouble.”

“No more so than with the ghosts,” she smirked. “You forget that they hear and see all.”

“Shit, she’s right,” laughed Wilson.

“Promise me that if you start feeling sick or feel that something is wrong, you’ll tell us,” said Nine.

“I promise. The only thing we’re all feeling right now is that it feels as though someone is trying to reach out to us. To speak with us. I think it might be kids just like us.”

“If it is, they’ll be welcome here,” he said. She smiled, waving as she walked back toward the cafeteria.

“What do we do now?” asked Cruz.

“Fuck if I know. Prepare for whatever bullshit Hugo is bringing to the party. If we see them, kill them. I don’t want anyone getting hurt because we want answers. I don’t give a fuck about the answers any longer. Kill Hugo, and if you see them, kill the Samaans.”

“Well, that’s going to make the boys happy,” smirked Wilson. “Tailor and Alec are on the island setting up camp to watch for them tonight. They’re acting like it’s a field trip.”

“That’s because, to them, it is.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

Hugo was so cocky; he honestly believed that he could get on the island without any issues whatsoever. The Samaans and their so-called trained assassins were meeting him out there. He’d promised a clear shot at as many of the men who were there.

“Where the fuck is this place?” he mumbled to himself. He spotted a small general store and pulled in to ask for directions. There were only two cars in the parking lot, but it actually looked like a decent stop.

Inside, there were wonderful smells of fresh pies, barbecue sandwiches, and paint. He stared at the things in the store and realized it was some sort of consortium, allowing artists to put their work in one place.

“Help you, mister?” asked the man behind the counter. He was an older black man, but he definitely looked sturdy.

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