Page 264 of Property of Whiskey

“You’re very competitive after sex.”

“I’m a King.”

“That explains absolutely nothing.”

“Universe is jealous.”

Twila straightens her top.

“Universe can fuck off.”

Then Twila reaches up and wipes something from my cheek.

“What?”

“Lipstick.”

“You wearing lipstick?”

“No.”

We both look at her split lip.

“Oh.”

I smile. “Better.”

“You look like you ate me.”

“Not this time.”

Her eyes widen.

I open the door before she can retaliate. We walk back into the hallway with Twila ahead of me and me staring at her ass. Then she stops so suddenly I nearly walk into her.

“What?”

She doesn’t answer.

I look past her.

Sheriff Amos Dix stands at the far end of the hallway.

Well. Fuck.

He ain’t in uniform. Jeans, button-down shirt, gun at his hip anyway. Fluorescent light catches the gray at his temples and the exhaustion carved beneath his eyes, but none of it softens the fury on his face.

His gaze goes straight to Twila.

Then me.

Her swollen mouth.

My crooked shirt.

Back to his daughter.

Nobody speaks.