“She died a long time ago.”
“I’m sorry,” I say quietly, as that same uneasy feeling comes over me. “Maybe you should bring it with you.”
“No.” He carefully sets the paperweight back down, his eyes darting to the pendant around my neck. “Billy deserves to be at rest.”
His eyes glance around the room, like he’s cataloguing everything inside. In the silence, I hear a click from the nearly invisible door beside the creepy picture of the electric chair.
“What was that?” My heart hammers as I wait for him to answer.
“Air conditioning.”
“You’re running your AC on the generator?” I say through a laugh. “Aren’t you supposed to only have like essential things hooked up?”
“I can hook up whatever I want. I made sure of it.” His expression fades into a blank mask. “Come. There’s nothing of use in here. The storm is dying down. We’ll be leaving soon.”
He walks out of the room without another word. I stare at the vague outline of the door, wrapping my arms around myself as I follow. I’ll be happy to leave this house. As beautiful and sophisticated and luxurious as it is…I’m more convinced than ever that a fresh start is the best thing.
For all of us.
Kai is arranging our supplies in neat piles by the door, ready for us to start packing the Land Rover. He grins up at us, holding out a picnic basket. “Check what I found in the kitchen,” he says. “Got a blanket to go with it?”
Bastian’s hand lands on the back of my neck, stroking me as he lets out a warm chuckle.
It feels almost normal—like we’re just a happy family about to go camping, not three killers planning their escape.
I shove away the lingering unease. Of course I’m doubting Bastian…because I’m doubting myself. I’ve never known a relationship that wasn’t toxic or outright abusive. My trust issues run as deep as the Mariana Trench.
But Bastian proved he could be vulnerable in front of us. He’s admitted to changing.
We’d probably be the first people ever to give him a chance…and that’s why I know it’s the right thing to do.
Bastian pulls me into a hug, and I feel him beckon Kai over. Kai throws his arms over both of us, and the two of them both huff out a happy chuckle as I squirm against them, trying to get them to hold me even tighter.
Kai makes a surprised sound, and when I look up, Bastian’s kissing him. It’s an easy, almost casual kiss, but I can feel Kai leaning into it.
“How much time do you think we have?” I murmur beneath them.
Bastian breaks off with a laugh, tilting his head to look down at me. “You want us to fuck youagain, sweet girl?”
“She can’t get enough,” Kai says.
His voice is serious enough to make me look up at him. He gives me a faint smile, then looks at Bastian. “Neither can I.”
He darts forward, and this time it’s Bastian who makes a happy sound as their lips meet.
I slide my hand down the front of Kai’s pants, sighing when I feel how hard he’s getting. I squeeze his cock hard enough for him to break off their kiss with a groan, and Bastian ducks down to press his lips to mine instead.
I can feel him smiling through our kiss. “Cheap shot,” he murmurs against my mouth.
“Are you going to punish me?” I murmur right back.
He groans, grabbing the back of my neck and ripping me away. “On the bed, both of you. Now!” he snaps when we just stare at him.
Kai grabs my hand, grinning as he tugs me away from the door toward Bastian’s bedroom. Our professor watches us go, raking a hand through his hair as his eyes darken with want. Then he strides after us, unstoppable as a fucking hurricane.
My chest clenches at the possessive need in his eyes, at the feel of Kai’s strong hand wrapped around mine.
For the first time since I woke up in this house covered in blood, I’m at peace.
