Here Lies a Saint (Here Lies #2) - C.L. Matthews Page 0,3

of the fine line we dance on or because he needs to believe it himself to stop pussyfooting around the truth we all hide, we need to keep our distance now more than ever.

The winter assembly will be here in days, and while Yang was murdered, they'll cover it up. They'll say it was something like she got wasted and mauled by a bear. Then, we'll go on pretending life isn't shit and we don't lie to cover up the fact that everyone here is suspect.

Even these four guys I once-called friends.

When you're a founding family member, you're either a murderer or murdered. There's no in-between.

Jordan’s hand clamps onto my shoulder again, but this time, he adds pressure, stopping me in my tracks. The others continue toward the cabin, where intended on meeting and decided on a plan to keep Colt safe while also trying to understand information she had. We wanted to protect her and fucked up along the way. There was never supposed to be a moment where her and Emeralds were in the same sentence. The mistake is in our hands, and now she knows too much.

To them, she’s a liability.

“They killed her tonight,” Jordan mentions.

My body stiffens. How did they not kill Colt? Did they think Yang was Colt? Or did they merely kill Yang because she betrayed the oath? Did they send cleaners? Are we going to pay the price for their choices?

“Yes, Captain Obvious, do you have anything more insightful?”

“I’m just saying I’m shocked they were here when we told everyone we’d be gone. Think it was planned ahead?”

I shrug him off again and look at his face. There’s worry there. The big dick apparently cares. Yang became an Emerald before any of us. It’s a man’s world, yes, but her family hadn’t had a male heir in years. They didn’t want to kill off the Milton name, but now, it’s looking like that’s the case.

She knew not to look into Cassidy’s death. They didn’t specify it, but we all assumed it was based upon his sexual preferences. While we live in a progressive town with progressive people, the Emeralds aren’t in the same mindset.

They see purity as a man and woman.

They see it as producing heirs.

They see it as strengthening the bloodline.

Cassidy, much like Maxim, was gay. Maxim never outed me for our shared tastes, and while no one knew who Cassidy dated, we all assumed he was in the closet. It’s the only safe way to be. When you’re part of the Emerald Vestige, let alone part of a founding bloodline, love doesn’t matter.

“How do I know it wasn’t you?” I grouse.

He smiles, his perfect teeth poking through even if the smile’s more menacing than welcoming right now. He brings his thumb toward my face, and I grip his palm before he can touch me. When did this revelation begin, him thinking it was remotely okay to touch me in any shape or form?

“Little Lennox...” he taunts, not moving his hand whatsoever. For some reason, I want the struggle between us. “Are you scared to feel something?”

The words teeter on amused, but mostly, they’re dark and full of promise, which is something neither of us should risk, especially in the open as we are.

I let his wrist drop and push him away, turning, I ignore his craving for a fight. Tonight of all nights, where there’s a fresh dead body and killers in plain sight, we can’t be ignorant and petulant. We can’t want. Or seek. We just... can’t.

I’m not more than five steps before I’m gripped by my shoulders and slammed against a tall pine. If this fucker gets sap on this ten-thousand-dollar Penn & Co suit, I swear to fuck I’ll kill him myself.

“What, and I emphasize the fuck, is wrong with you, Walker?” My words drip disgust. The fury boiling inside me rises with each breath. He’s nearly invisible in the dark of night, but I can smell him. Fuck, I can literally inhale the stupid manly scent he carts around. He smiles, the white of his teeth shining brightly. One of these days, I’m going to hit him for being such an asshole.

“Someday, Lennox, you’ll be calling me by my name with respect, need, and a cock deep inside your ass,” he practically whispers, taunting me as if I’m a fucking snack for him to devour in one go.

I shiver as his words register. It’s been so long since I’ve touched a guy, let alone allowed them access