Page 2 of Until Death Parts Us

“You know it’s best if I don’t. I’m not as charming as you.”

Kaspian strolls forward. “You’re charming enough for me.”

I reach out and grab his throat, yanking him forward and kissing his lips. “That’s because you find depravity charming.”

“Mmm. Who needs Prince Charming when you can have a depraved madman?”

I lean forward and sink my teeth into his bottom lip. “Remember that when you’re off with these other people. One wrong move and I will hurt you both.”

“I’d never cheat on you, my love,” he says with a smirk.

“I’d hope you were smarter than that, but you’d let me believe it in order to watch me wreak havoc.”

His teeth scrape across his bottom lip. “Don’t talk dirty to me now. I have to get to know Robert.”

I huff. “Yes. Go get to know Robert. I’m gonna go outside for a smoke.”

He plants another kiss on my lips before he flees the RV. I bundle up, putting on my gloves, boots, and beanie. With thermals already on under my clothes, I hope to withstand the six degree weather for long enough to enjoy my cigarette.

We’ve gotten used to the cold temperatures thanks to Alaska, but it’s much colder here in Canada.

As soon as I step outside, I light up my cigarette and walk around the RV until I hit the path that leads toward the lake.

I spot the trail that cuts between trees and follows the perimeter of the lake, knowing Kaspian is probably talking Robert’s ear off, trying to find out every bit of info he can.

At the frozen edge of the water, I stop and take the cigarette out of my mouth to flick the ashes.

The view is incredible—snow covered mountains sit in the background, trees covered in frost fill the land, and the sun setting low on the horizon has the sky turning purple.

“Risking your life to risk your life, huh?”

I spin around to find a woman walking up next to me.

“Excuse me?”

She juts her chin out. “The cigarette. The frozen tundra before us.”

“Ah. Yeah, well. Bad habits die hard.”

“Got a light?” she asks, producing her own cigarette from her pocket.

I pull the lighter from my jacket pocket and help her light up. “Guess you’re risking your life, too.”

“Well, I live life on the edge.”

“Me too.”

She laughs. “Clearly. We’re here, right? What the fuck are we doing out here in the dead of winter?”

I shake my head, staring out at the mountains. “Living.”

“Where you from?” she asks after a few seconds.

“All over.”

“A traveling man.” She waits for me to ask her about herself, but when I don’t, she divulges the information anyway. “I grew up in Oklahoma, and then I married a man who took me to Idaho. Then when that didn’t work, I took his RV and started traveling. Now I’m here.”

“Is this where you want to be?”

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