Page 35 of Martyr
“It was bigger than I planned.” I wince. “I’m rusty.”
Tem bursts out laughing.
I still. “What?”
“You meant alittleexplosion?”
“Just some fire?—”
Her giggles continue. “Fuck, Reese, I felt the ground shake outside of town.”
Yeah. “I didn’t realize the maintenance shed was also for the town. It had some fertilizer and other flammable stuff in. That’s my best guess anyway.”
That’s putting it mildly.
Kade rolls his eyes. He pulls out his phone and scans it, then quickly stashes it again. “Coast Guard is here. And Dr. Hawthorne has been blowing up my phone. Excuse the expression.”
“She’s calling because of Saint?” Tem bites her lip. “I sort of raised that alarm.”
Kade nods once, his expression unreadable. “I need to return to town. You and Saint should show your faces to Dr. Hawthorne, as well.”
My grip tightens on Tem’s hip. “And, what, leave me here to take the fall?”
“When have I ever let you take the fall?” Kade snaps. “Youareresponsible, and I have no doubt you collected some witnesses along the way. So you can stay here while the threeof us smooth things over with the proper people—me with the authorities, them with the psychiatrist.”
“Gotta say, dude, I’m not really a fan of this.”
Tem puts her palm on my cheek. “Thank you for keeping Saint safe. Now let’s keepyousafe. And we should get over there before dark.” Her voice pitches to a whisper when she adds, “Besides, there are some things I imagine you need to discuss with Kade?”
Ah, yes. Of course.
Because what’s the point of Isle of Paradise if we don’t try to fix our issues?
16KADE
“Lyssa Laurent.”
I freeze just inside the doorway.
Honestly, I thought I might get lucky and Reese would’ve fallen asleep while I was out. He was angry the last time I saw him, sitting on the bench by the beach. Angry atme. For decisions I’ve been making for my family.
My sister.
Whose name just came out of his mouth.
“Lyssa Laurent,” he repeats. “She’s a resident here on the island. Theotherresidents call her Sleeping Beauty. Isn’t that a clever nickname? She hasn’t woken up in years, but the center is paid a very pretty penny to keep her body in good shape. Physical therapists and whoever else make sure her muscles don’t atrophy too badly. The feeding tube. Regular grooming—although I would expect that for any comatose patient.”
I’m across the room in a flash, my hand around his throat. I slam him into the wall, my rage brimming closer to the surface than ever before.
Only the fire behind the grate, which he must’ve kept alive, illuminates the space. The light and shadows flicker across his features.
“The secret of Kade Laurent lies with his comatose sister,” Reese whispers. “Isn’t that right?”
My grip tightens.
He doesn’t even try to break it. He just stares at me, his green eyes boring into mine, and waits.
How thefuckdid he find out about her?
