Page 19 of Grave Kisses
“You two live together?” I ask.
“A storm sent a tree through my house a few months ago, and insurance refuses to pay for it,” Bellamy says. “So I invited myself into his home.”
“I… don’t know,” I say.
“Although you are welcome at our home,” Martin says. “I am going to suggest staying with them, though.”
“Well, fuck you too, Martin,” I laugh.
“Ha ha,” he chuckles. “I just think it would be good for you three to spend some time together.”
“And?” I ask.
“And… I’d feel better knowing you were with two men far more capable of protecting you than my old ass,” Martin says.
“You think he…” I start to ask but stop.
“I think Alan kept Archer away from you for a very good reason,” Martin says.
I am lying on the front porch with my arm draped over my face. My feet are flat on the wood, so my knees are up. I want to go home, but I don’t have a home. I have the clothes on my back and my car. That’s it. Noel did talk me into letting her and Martin go buy me things I need. She has a great sense of style and knows my sizes, so I am comfortable with her making those choices. Also, it takes a huge load of stress off me. I have the weekend to sort this shit out, and then I will just manage however possible. Bellamy and Julie are both going to be helping make sure CyberSafe is running smoothly. I don’t trust that I won’t miss something and get overwhelmed. Honestly, between all of us, we can keep all aspects of Vanderbilt running just fine.
Marcus and Bellamy are sitting on the white wicker couch, and I can feel them watching me. “What?” I say. “I can feel you two looking at me.
“Just looking,” Bellamy says.
“Liar. What is it?” I ask.
“It’s nice to see you relaxed, is all,” Marcus says.
“Also, your tits look great from this angle,” Bellamy adds.
“There it is,” I laugh. “Bunch of dirty boys.”
“Dirtymen, thank you,” Marcus teases.
I hear someone pull into the driveway, and I groan. One of them nudges my foot, and I put my hands out for them only to see it’s Marcus as he pulls me up to stand. “Thanks,” I sigh.
A man steps out of a blacked-out SUV right as a pack of other similar vehicles floods the driveway, front yard, and the road. “What the fuck?” I ask. I turn and go to the door, and one of the dozens of men yells at me.
“Stay where you are!” He barks, drawing his pistol but not raising it. I already have my hands up, so I hit the front door a few times, and Jesse comes out. “Hands where I can see them.”
“What in the hell is this?” Jesse snaps at the man. “I called on behalf of my client, who was more than willing to talk, but she wanted to provide information about who she is confident the suspect is. So, unless you want me to make you get a search warrant, I’d advise you to put that fucking gun away right now.”
“What the fuck?” I say, looking at Marcus and Bellamy.
“Just poorly trained, trigger-happy newbies,” Marcus says, rolling his eyes.
“You’ve got a point, Marcus,” Jesse says. “I want the detective I spoke to up here. You have five minutes, or you can get off this property.”
“Why the fuck… I didn’t do anything?” I say to Jesse. “A fucking psychopath blows up my goddamn apartment, and I am the one who is treated like a criminal?”
“I understand they’re cautious, but none of that was necessary. He had no reason to draw his weapon,” Bellamy says, hugging me.
“You must be Jesse Huber,” a man says as we walk up. He is middle-aged and wearing a tailored suit.
“I am. What the fuck is wrong with your detectives?” Jesse demands.
“I apologize for that. I will speak with them about their conduct,” he says. “I am Detective Jeff Collier. I am leading the investigation into the explosion at Blossom Terrace Apartments.”
