Families dressed in black mingle about, waiting for the funeral to start. Every once in a while, someone looks at me with curiosity, then continues on with their conversation like I don’t exist. Not hockey fans, I guess.
“Dude, is that Leo Duval from the Serpents?”
I take it back. There’s at least one hockey fan here. I pretend not to notice the group of Chad bros against the wall who couldn’t even change out of their Patagonia vests for a funeral. I killed the guy, and even I had the decency to dress appropriately.
Gritting my teeth, I walk faster. Where the fuck is she? Don’t tell me she’slate. Again, ImurderedThomas, and I arrived with time to spare.
I stop at the entrance to the church and stare up at the cross. In front of the altar is Thomas.
Closed casket. Wise choice.
There’s no discernible scent of burning flesh or smoke rising from me, so I suppose I’m in the clear. I cast my eyes around the room until I spot Thomas’s cause of death.
I guess Mina didn’t burn by stepping in here either.
Christ, her ass shouldn’t look that good at a funeral. The figure-hugging long black dress is a sin in itself. The belt she’s paired her outfit with only accentuates her curves and makes her hips look even more fucking grabbable.
Murder is one thing. Getting a boner in church is arguably worse.
My phone vibrates in my pocket with what I amcertainwill be a text from Jack, and it kills the southerly blood flow. If it’s not him, it’ll be my agent wanting to talk. Either one is just as horrible in my book.
And— Oh, for fuck’s sake. Really?
She’s stepping out from the side entrance just as I find her. First, she’s been slow to reply to my texts. Then, she’s spent the past few days with her mother and Agnes to prepare for the funeral, as if she’s his fucking wife.
Out of all the reasons I could possibly regret what I did,thatis the one that makes me question my choice.
At least I get to watch her ass move as I follow her out of the church. Once I’m outside, it’s like I can finally get air into my lungs. Maybe the big man upstairs is trying to tell me something.
Just to be extra difficult, she enters the room I was in a minute ago. I stalk her through the crowd, passing the finance bros and Agnes, and sidle up next to her as she starts to pour herself a plastic cup of apple juice.
“Allow me.” I take it from her.
Mina gawks up at me, eyes the drink, then frantically scans our surroundings.
“What the hell are you doing here?” she hisses, leaning closer.
I raise a brow.Well, hello to you too.
“Paying my respects and showing my support. For you.” I keep the smug grin off my face. “And watch your language.” I tap my ear as I hand her the drink. “God’s listening.”
She looks at me like I’ve grown another head, tensing when I place my hand on her back to lead her somewhere without prying ears—the physical and omnipresent kind.
“You can’t be here.”
My eyes narrow on her when she steps away from my reach and places more distance than I’d like between us. Is she ashamed of me?Embarrassed?I’m not about to be her dirty fucking secret.
I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her to my side. She’s not getting away from me unless she wants to cause a scene. Her nostrils flare, and she fists her skirt at her side, but her eyes are wide and panicked, rather than hard.
She doesn’t want to be caught with me. That much is fucking clear. It makes my mouth taste like acid that starts to burn my chest as we walk out of the building and toward the gardens.
A stiff breeze brushes her hair across her face. Mina’s quick to tie it back into a low messy bun, then jumps into me when a squealing child comes running out of the bushes and almost barrels her over.
Mina’s inability to school her expression is going to get her into trouble one day, because she’s grimacing at the child like it’s diseased. Fine by me, as long as she’s standing closer.
I pull my coat over her shoulders and motion for her to sit down on the bench. I’m not sure whether her compliance is out of reluctance or worry, but it sure as shit isn’t because she’s happy about it.
Maybe I’m a cunt for not giving her the space she clearly wants, but like hell is she going to get it. I sit right next to her, thigh to thigh, and throw my arm around her so she can’t escape.
