Page 62 of Grave Kisses
“Who are you?” I ask with a frown.
“This is Andre DeLuca,” Chrissy says. “He is the chief of police but also a wannabe crime boss.”
“Brat,” Andre says, and she giggles.
“He’s a mafia boss,” she says.
“Oh… Go on,” I say.
“So, I can call this in and there will be a manhunt or…” he says. “We can hide and wait for Jeff to come back, and I’ll take care of everything.”
“Whatever leads to me being able to watch him die,” I say.
“Hiding it is,” he says with a grin.
“I want Kendra switched out with her,” Archer says.
“Archer,” I object.
“No. You are dehydrated. You are pregnant. You’ve been through enough. She has the energy if something goes wrong. I will still take the brunt of everything, but I do not want him anywhere near you again,” Archer says firmly.
“Have a brother for one day and he turns into a bossy pants,” I mutter, making Chrissy cackle.
“He will be back at any minute. He is like clockwork when he is here,” Archer says.
“Alright, I’ll go move the vehicle and make it look like no one was here,” Decan says, pulling Chrissy up to hug her. “You be careful.”
“I will,” Chrissy says softly.
“I love you, Chrissy,” he says before kissing her.
“I love you, too,” she replies with a smile.
Decan takes off, and Andre gets the ropes off my wrists before he moves me back to the corner behind the stairs. I can see everything, but no one will be able to see me unless they're down here before turning around. Andre takes his shirt off, leaving him in just a white undershirt, so I can wear it and have Chrissy wrap up in the blanket. She moves into the same position I was in, and we all go quiet. Andre shuts the light off and keeps his hand on my back so that I know where he is.
It feels like the seconds are ticking by slowly as we wait. Just when I think that he might not show up, we hear movement upstairs. The basement door opens, and the lights come on, prompting Andre to quietly pull his pistol as someone stomps down into the basement.
“Up. Move to the corner,” Jeff barks at Archer.
“No,” Archer bites back as Andre sneaks up behind him.
“Move!” Jeff screams.
When Jeff reaches for his pistol, Andre simply taps Jeff on the shoulder. When he spins, Andre punches him so hard in the side of the head that he just… drops.
“Goddamn, Andre,” Chrissy laughs. “We said knock him out, not knock his fucking head off. Jesus.”
“Tie his stupid ass up,” Andre laughs. “You good, Kendra?”
“Uh… yeah,” I say. Andre cuts Archer free, and he comes straight to me and wraps me in a hug. Once again, I start sobbing. I don’t know why I keep crying, but it’s probably why I am dehydrated.
“Call them,” Chrissy says, handing me her phone. I smile and tap the call button next to Bellamy’s contact. I place the call on speakerphone so everyone can hear.
“Did you find the necklace?” Bellamy answers.
“Hey, Bell,” I say tearfully.
“Kendra!” he yells at me but instantly falls into tears.
