Page 11

“Hard not to. I’ve watched the camera footage of him stepping on the rake so many times, I’ve lost count. I wheeze every time.”

She glares at me. “Knock it off, Callie.”

“Fine.” I huff. “I’ll get you back to Poison Ivy soon enough.”

She walks past me, arms folded. “Not any better.”

“Hmm… Guess I’ll have to come up with another nickname for him.”

“You could just call him Drew.”

“What’s the fun in that?”

She peers through the passenger window, then straightens and looks at me.

I know that look. I’m about to get another lecture.

“You weren’t kidding. He’s enormous.”

I grin. “I’m pretty sure he’s six-four. And look at that chiseled jawline. Looks like a marble sculpture.”

“I don’t care about his jawline. Why the hell do you have a giant man in your SUV? And how the hell are we going to get him inside the house?”

She glances at the front door like she’s calculating the exact distance.

I open my mouth, but she speaks before I get a word out.

“And why is he so bloody? Seriously, Callie, what did you⁠—”

“I didn’t do anything. I already told you.” I glance at him, my tone softening. “He’s a hitman.”

“A hitman?” she screeches. “Are you out of your damn mind⁠—”

Shit. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.

So I lie.

“Relax. Pretty sure he’s a method actor playing a hitman. One of those people hired to work at the Hollow Creek Halloween Festival. Probably for the haunted house. Or maybe he’s one of the ones who chases people through the woods to the old cemetery⁠—”

“Who cares? I just want to figure out a way to get him in the house and go back to Drew.” She gives me a look. “And hope that massive monster doesn’t wake up and murder us.”

I roll my eyes as I pull the passenger door open. “Forgive me for intruding on the lovebirds’ time together.” My voice drips with sarcasm. “And why would he murder us?”

She stares at me. “How well do you know him?”

Not at all.

But I like everything I’ve seen, including his grumpy stare.

“Long enough.”

“Whatever.” She studies the hitman like one of our client contracts. “Let’s just carry him inside. I’ll get his feet.”

“Okay.”

I reach in and grab him. I tug twice before his body rolls toward me, nearly knocking me on my ass. If Violet hadn’t caught me, I’d be on the ground.

And damn, I don’t want to get my costume dirty. Or worse, rip it.