“It’s very frustrating.”
His mouth curves. “Is it?”
“Extremely.” I turn to face him fully. “I was promised a conversation. And a locked door.”
“The door can be arranged.” His free hand comes up to cup my face. “The conversation might have to wait.”
“Why?”
“Because right now, all I want to do is kiss you. And I’m not sure I can talk and do that at the same time.”
My heart stutters. “That’s a problem?”
“Could be. I’m very focused when I set my mind to it.”
“Is that so?”
“Mmm.” His thumb traces my lower lip. “Very focused.”
I lean into his touch, let my eyes drift closed. “Stone?—”
“STONE!” Tank’s voice bellows from inside. “Bones found something. Says it can’t wait.”
Stone’s hand freezes on my face. His forehead drops to mine.
“I’m going to have them all killed,” he mutters. “I’m thinking poison in the pancakes. The fuckers won’t know what hit them.”
“It does seem like the only solution.”
“Mass murder. Very efficient.”
“I support this plan.”
He laughs despite himself—a rough, exhausted sound—and presses a kiss to my forehead.
“Tomorrow,” he says. “Tomorrow, we’re finishing this.”
“Promise?”
“On my fucking life.”
He pulls away, and I immediately miss his warmth. But he pauses in the doorway, looking back at me with an expression that makes my stomach flip.
“Josie?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t go anywhere.”
“Where would I go?”
“Doesn’t matter. Just—stay.” His eyes hold mine. “Please.”
“Okay,” I say softly. “I’ll stay.”
He nods once, then disappears inside.
I stay on the porch for a while longer, watching the stars, thinking about everything that’s happened and everything that’s still to come.
