Page 101 of Shadows of You

“Sorry, Katydid. Can you say that again?”

“I’m gonna be a ballerina on the weekends and a game warder during the week.”

My mouth curved. “You mean a game warden?”

She threw her hands out wide. “That’s what I said.”

A knock sounded on her door, and I quickly opened it. Roan filled the space, his expression stormy.

“What happened?” I whispered.

A muscle popped in his jaw. “Someone was killed. Might be tied to a series of animal deaths.” Roan pitched his voice low so Cady couldn’t hear.

I sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh, God.”

“I need to go to the crime scene.”

“Of course.”

“The girls and Holt are coming over to hang with you until I get back,” Roan said.

“They don’t need to do that,” I argued.

“Please.” Roan slipped his hand beneath my hair and squeezed the back of my neck. “I won’t be able to focus if I know you’re here alone.”

And he needed that right now.

“Okay,” I said softly.

He leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to my forehead. “Be back as soon as I can.”

My throat tightened. “Please, be safe.”

“Always,” he assured me.

“Where ya going, Mr. Grizz? Gotta help another deer?” Cady asked.

“Not tonight, Tiny Dancer. Gotta help Lawson with something.”

She nodded as if that made all the sense in the world. “You’re a good brudder.”

Something passed over Roan’s expression—pain or guilt, I wasn’t sure. He ignored her statement and instead said, “Take care of your mama.”

“I always do,” Cady shot back.

We followed Roan to the door just as my friends piled onto the porch.

Grae held up a bottle of wine and pointed it at me. “You are in big trouble.”

I winced.

Wren shoved Grae. “Don’t freak her out.” She strode toward me and wrapped me in a tight hug, even with her pregnant belly between us. “I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I whispered.

She just squeezed me harder. “You don’t have anything to apologize for.”

Wren released me, and my gaze immediately went to Maddie. She was the person I was closest with. I’d never forgive myself if I hurt her.

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