Deke snorts as if she insulted him. “Dive tanks. Bennett tied what was left of his lifeless body to a couple of dive tanks. Took his father’s speed boat out for a night swim in the ocean and threw his ass into the water.”
“Doubt there’s much left of his body now,” Bennett adds.
“What …?” She trails off as her eyes meet mine.
I had used her plan. She had told me that very thing when I asked her how she would get rid of a body if she ever killed someone. And I must say, I felt much better that sharks were eating his rotting corpse at the bottom of the ocean. It was very poetic.
“Did you guys ever find his car?” she asks.
Deke nods. “It was at his house.”
She frowns. “So how did he get there?”
He shrugs. “Sounds like your idea that maybe Celeste picked him up was the only possibility.”
“I don’t know …” she says slowly, her voice trailing off. “Why would he not drive? They were fighting. I don’t think he planned for me to show up, but I think he planned to hurt her. He wouldn’t have had a way home once he killed her. It doesn’t make sense.”
We all agree with her.
Bennett’s phone goes off, signaling a message. After he reads it, he stands. “Well, I will let you all get some rest. Boys, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“I’m gonna leave too,” Deke says, following him.
“Oh, wait.” I unwrap her from underneath my arm and stand. Pulling out a key, I hand one over to Bennett. “I changed the locks.”
He nods and places it in his pocket. “Thanks.”
I close up the door after they walk out and then go back to the couch. “Let’s go to bed.” We make our way upstairs.
“Why did you change the locks?” she asks.
“Deke suggested it.” Lie. I changed them ’cause all the sharks have a key to this place, and I no longer trust Shane.
She nods, believing me. “What about Deke? You didn’t give him one.”
“I did the other day. Plus, he will be in Texas with us. Bennett is staying here for school.”
She’s pushing the sweatpants down her legs when she changes the subject. “Where is Lilly?”
“She is staying with Blanche tonight,” I answer, pulling the covers back.
She nods. “Have you spoken to your dad about Texas?”
I walk around the bed and over to her. “Yes.”
“And?” she urges.
“It’s fine, Austin. Stop worrying.” I grab the hem of my shirt she’s wearing.
She takes a step back, but I don’t let go. “Don’t cut this one.”
“I’m not,” I tell her with a smile. “I’m gonna help you out of it.”
I roll it up in my hands and then help her get one arm out at a time. This one is a bigger size, so it’s easier for her to get on and off. Once it’s on the ground, I look over her body as she stands in a pair of little baby blue underwear. You can see her ribs. More than before. Her hips bones are more noticeable too. I run my thumbs over them. She still has bruises from her chest tube and IV. And one peeks out under a fresh bandage.
“Cole.” She takes my hands in hers and pulls them away from her. “Your dad—”
“He’s not gonna stop us.” I interrupt her. Might as well give her peace of mind when it comes to that bastard. All of Lilly’s stuff is already packed and in the U-Haul, as well.
