Page 65 of Property of Bones

Josh is still dead.

And no matter how much I pretend otherwise, I still have no idea how to carry that.

I tuck my legs under me, careful not to jolt my ribs. The noise of the compound hums around me. Bikes rumbling in and out of the gate, muffled conversations from in and around the clubhouse. Someone yelling at Tank to stop drinking straight from the milk jugagain.

Normal stuff.

This weird, twisted version of normal I’ve somehow become part of.

And a version I’m already mourning, even though I haven’t left it yet.

I don’t know how long I sit there before the screen door creaks behind me.

Jack.

Of course, it’s Jack.

He doesn’t say anything at first. Just walks over and sinks down beside me, letting the silence settle.

“You weren’t in the living room,” he says finally.

“I needed air,” I reply.

He nods, slowly. Thoughtful.

“Marv suggested we go visit your ma,” he says.

I turn my head to look at him. “Really?”

“Would you like that?”

“Very much so,” I say, smiling. “I’m used to seeing Mama once or twice a week. Talking on the phone just… isn’t the same. I really miss her.”

“I know, baby. I’m sorry I didn’t think of it sooner.” He stands, then offers a hand. “Come on. Let’s get dressed and head that way.”

“Wait,you’recoming, too?”

“No way I’m letting you leave this compound without a Shadow.”

“The guy who hurt me is dead, right? So why are you still worried?”

“He might be dead, Sunny. But the people he was working for?” Jack shakes his head. “They’re not. Until I know they’re gone…until every evil bastard who could harm you is in the ground…you’re not stepping foot outside this gate without protection.”

“There’ll always be bad people, Jack.”

He gives me a look. Sharp. Unapologetic. “Exactly.”

“You can’t protect me forever,Darth Brooder,” I say with a smirk. “I won’t be here much longer.”

“Whatever you say, baby.” He leans in just enough for his voice to go low and dangerous. “Now call your ma and ask if she wants Chinese or burgers.”

“She’ll want Chinese,” I laugh. “For sure.”

Chapter Nineteen

Sunny

“How did you get those scars, Jack?”

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