“The dilapidated one you lived in when we started dating.”
“Did we date, Trick? I don’t remember us dating.”
I chuckle. “All right. I withdraw that.”
“And my former rental is not delapidated. It’s just not brand new.”
I grin. “All right, it’s old and a little worn out looking.”
“Distinguished.”
“I’m gonna buy it for you. You mentioned you wanted to renovate it. I figured it would be a good project.”
“In what spare time?” she says with a laugh. “You’re doing all these things to free up my time so I won’t be too busy and now you decide I’ve got time to re-do a house in Boston?”
“We could get a property manager to rent it out until you’re ready to play with it.”
“To play with it?” she says. Then she smiles. “You want me to have a house to renovate and decorate to make up for the fact thatthisis a Trick house?”
Pretty much, I think, but I say, “This is our house, babe. You picked out the rugs, right? And those antiques for the dining room. Plus, the paint in the kitchen and dining room.”
She laughs and rolls her eyes. “I chose between things on a curated list you sent me.”
“You like the way it turned out, right? You said you did. If you get tired of it, in a few years you can redecorate.”
“Uh huh,” she says skeptically. Then she adds, “You have great taste. This house is extremely elegant despite how modern it is. I know my friends are going to die with envy as soon as you let me bring them onto the property.” She lays her head down and yawns, then closes her eyes.
We haven’t had anyone over except family so far. I’m wary of outsiders because the house is enclosed within what is now an expanded C Crue compound. There’s the original two lots thatthe crue castle stronghold is built on. And now Anvil and I have both built places on adjoining pieces of land. Fences divide the yards, but there are paved walking paths that lead to door-sized gates onto each lot.
I had some features added, like a small coy pond, a water wall, and a stone table and benches in the garden. After that, Laurelyn told Kathleen, “We’re our own village now. A C Crue village, complete with an herb garden and also an armory of weapons. It’s crazy.” Kathleen just laughed.
Our lock on Coynston is complete now, so we’ve bought the rest of our block and are slowly renovating and re-building it. Miller’s renting a place nearby. Maybe Laurel will want to help plan the renovations for the houses on our block. A lot of people like antiques and maintaining the historic feel of a building. I just don’t happen to be one of them.
My phone buzzes, and I lift it to check the message.
C:You hear from Zoe today?
My fingers slide over the screen.
Trick:Z doesn’t text me personally, so no.
When a couple minutes pass without a follow-up message from him, I text him again.
Trick:what’s goin on?
C:unclear
Another few minutes go by in silence, causing me to narrow my eyes and sit up.
“What is it?” Laurelyn murmurs sleepily.
“I don’t know. C asked me if I’ve heard from Zoe today.”
“Why would you have?”
“Exactly. The only time I talk to Zoe is when we’re all together or if she posts on the group thread. And, as far as I know, since she’s been with him, C has never asked anyone anything about Zoe. When he wants to know something aboutsomeone in the inner circle, he doesn’t screw around with hearsay.”
“Do you think she’s missing?”
