Page 41 of The Road Less Traveled By

Ah, yes.Thistime. Because the last time Teags came over, her name wasn't on the list of accessible people, and she ripped Vince’s men to shreds for it. I, for one, had a wonderful time watching that security footage. It made me laugh so hard that my ribs hurt.

I’ve been laughing a bit more lately despite still feeling like there’s another shoe ready to drop, and I couldn't be more thankful for the people around me.

“Are you sure you don't want to see her argue with Billy again?”

“Billy requested a transfer to the night shift, so Wilson would get it this time.” I see a small smile form on his face. “Your friend is one of a kind.”

“Teags is the best.”

“I’m glad you have her.” His eyes lock with mine for a beat too long before he shakes out of it and heads upstairs.

I grab my phone and swipe to Instagram, heading to my sister's profile to see what she’s up to today. I know she started her next manuscript, but she refuses to share anything about it with me until the first draft is done. It’s driving me crazy, but sometimes she shares snippets on her story about it, so I always check her profile during the day.

After finding nothing, I go through some of my messages and respond to some of them. I uploaded a new video yesterday where I had some of the authors I’ve worked with pick my reads for the next month. Peopleare loving it so far, and I love it when they comment about how much they loved a book that I’m going to read soon. It gets me more excited to pick it up.

The doorbell ringing has me putting my phone down, knowing that it’s probably Teags. I always tell my friends and family they don't need to knock or ring the doorbell, but Vince quickly changed that. He told me it’s safer this way, and I agreed, knowing he’s pretty much always right.

But when I swing the door open and Nico walks in, I’m surprised.

“Hey, Nico.”

“Hi, princess. Where’s the brood?”

“Showering. It looked like he had an intense workout this morning.” I can feel my cheeks get hot when the image of him floods my brain. When I look at Nico, he has a weird look on his face, and that’s when I register the package in his hand. “What’s that?”

“It was on your porch. It says it's from a publishing house, so I figured I’d bring it in for you.”

“That’s nice of you. Tha—”

A low voice cuts me off. “Bree, what did I tell you about opening the door?”

“It was just Nico.” I look to where he’s stomping down my stairs, hair still wet from his shower, that one hair still dangling in his face.

“Yes, but you didn't know that. It’s safer for me to open the door, and you know that. Next time, come and get me.”

“I will. I’m sorry.” I hold the package close to my chest, and when it doesn't feel like a normal book, I tense up.

“Princess? Is everything alright?”

“Bree? What is that?”

“I-I don't know.” I examine the envelope, and it looks like a standard package I would get from a publishing house, but something feels off, and my gut is screaming at me that something’s wrong.

Vince grabs the package from me, and Nico and I follow closely behind him as he places it on the kitchen table and carefully cuts open the package.

“Rule number five,” I whisper, and Vince’s eyes meet mine.

“I didn't think you remembered them all.”

Nico just laughs. “Oh, please, Vinny. Anyone who knows you well probably has your rules memorized. I should think about getting some laminated cards made.”

I stifle a laugh as Vince rolls his eyes and carefully dumps the contents of the package out. The sound of metal on the table has my eyes wandering, and when I see what it is, my heart stops beating.

There are two bullets on my kitchen table, rolling around as if they’re taunting me.

“What the fuck?” Nico says as he goes to pick one up.

“Don't. They could have fingerprints on them.” Vince goes to one of my cabinets and grabs a plastic glove, putting it on his hand as he reaches to inspect them.It’s from him.It has to be. The packaging was just a ruse to let my guard down and get it past the gate.

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