Deserted - Cara Dee Page 0,114

and it wasn’t the first time. Just the fact that they could call each other on such short notice and the other would come running… Gray vowed to himself to nurture his relationships with his own brothers more when he got home.

Ryan had merely asked when and where. To which Darius had given him the coordinates and some instructions.

This was Darius’s compromise. This was how he’d feel better leaving Jackie alone for so long, by knowing that he wasn’t truly alone at all.

Gray refused to show how nervous he was before they left.

While Darius was helping Jackie discard some strips of duct tape on the porch and in the driveway—to make it look like the guy had gotten free from his restraints—Gray brought water, one soda, a couple old magazines, and some snacks to the table on the porch. He reminded Jackie to throw it all in the living room later.

This was it. Gray and Darius had done their part. Now it was up to Jackie.

Jesus Christ, the drive today was gonna be hellish. Would Gray even be able to get any rest? It sounded more likely that he’d sit next to Darius and fret his ass off.

Jackie would probably not be able to sleep either. As tired as he clearly was, he was also wired and antsy. He would see his family tomorrow. It kept him going.

Wanting to avoid the body in the living room, Jackie went around the house and in through the front door when he went to the bathroom a final time. And when he came out again, they were officially done.

Darius grabbed the spare tank for the ATV and doused the interior of the house in gasoline. Warren’s body was soaked. Every location that could hold traces of fingerprints—drenched. The hatch in the floor, doorknobs, the kitchen, parts of the porch, the bathroom, and every spot was connected by a trail of gasoline to ensure the fire would spread quickly.

“Your recovery’s gonna be a hellish fucking journey,” Gray told Jackie, “but after everything you’ve been through—what we have been through—there is no stopping. Am I right?”

Jackie exhaled shakily and nodded. “I’ll be strong.”

“I know you will.” Gray pulled Jackie in for a hug. “Remember, even when you feel weak and the grief is threatening to take over, you’re strong as long as you keep breathing. Keep fighting. And call me whenever—day or night. I’ll send a request on Facebook so you can get my number. We’ll stay in touch.”

“Okay. Thank you.” Jackie sniffled and hugged him harder. “Thank you, Gray. Thank you. Thank you for finding me.”

Gray’s throat closed up, and he couldn’t form a single word. All he could do was tighten the hug a bit more before it was time to let go.

Darius got a similar treatment when he exited the house with the empty spare tank.

Jackie hugged him tightly and thanked him over and over.

A couple minutes later, Gray and Darius were on the ATV, driving away from the house.

It felt so goddamn wrong, but it was the nerves talking.

Jackie could reach out to Ryan if things got too bad, Gray reminded himself.

They cleared their campsite on autopilot, both stuck in their heads.

Darius loaded the ATV onto the truck.

Gray packed up their tent and gear.

When that dude, that fuckin’ Hank, showed up, Gray almost snapped at him. He didn’t have the fucking patience for any fucking politeness or fucking chitchat—fuck. He took a breath. Thank goodness for Darius. Darius pulled it off. The bullshit fell out of his mouth naturally. There was a story about how Gray—or “Chris”—had twisted his ankle at Skull Rock. Another story of how they were chased by bees in the cactus garden, which Darius and Hank chuckled heartily at. And in return, Hank gave a play-by-play of everything he’d done with the family.

“So, you’re off home, eh?” Hank asked.

“Nah, not yet,” Darius answered. “Kid’s not heading back to school until Monday, so we thought we’d do one night in Big Bear before I hand him over to his folks.”

“Ah—beautiful up there.” Hank nodded approvingly. “Well, it was great meetin’ ya, James.”

“You too, Hank. You too. Shame we didn’t have time for that beer.”

Urgh.

After throwing the last of their things in the back seat, Gray got in the passenger’s seat and plugged in his phone charger. Three percent battery left. Darius better get here and start the car. Gray wanted to get out of the park, out of the fucking desert. He wanted to see the bars on