The Sinners of Saint Amos - Logan Fox Page 0,221

important anyway.

“Aren’t you going to open it?” Cass asks.

I look up, catching sight of his iridescent blue eyes in the rear-view mirror. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

I slip the envelope into my purse, and tuck it between Zach and me. He looks over at the touch, and then grabs my wrist. He holds me for a beat, tight and fierce, and then smooths my hand over his thigh.

“Home then?” Cass asks.

“I’m hungry,” Apollo says.

“You ate like an hour ago,” Cass sighs.

“So?”

“Christ. Fine. And I’m guessing you want a fucking taco? Where’s the closest—”

“Take me to Maude Street,” I tell Cass.

Beside me, Rube shifts on his seat. I keep looking forward, willing him not to ask me if I’m okay.

Because I’m not.

But maybe I will be if I can finally burn my bridges.

I told the lawyer that I didn’t want the house. That she could sell it. I signed some papers setting it all up.

But I know what my men want.

And now, maybe, I can finally give it to them.

“The safe?” Apollo asks, turning in his seat and grabbing the headrest. “We’re going to look in the safe?”

“It’s probably empty by now,” Zachary says.

“Yeah, but maybe it’s not.” Apollo grins at me. “And we know the combination.”

“Do you still remember it?” Rube asks me.

Of course I do. It came back along with everything else that happened that horrific day.

4211.

The same combination that opens the basement apparently opens the safe in the study. At least, that’s what my men decided after deciphering what Gabriel said to Apollo.

I still can’t believe Apollo let him go. Then again…I still can’t believe a lot of the things that happened that day.

When we pull up to my old house on Maude Street, I almost wish I’d let Cass drive us to the nearest Mexican take-out instead. My stomach’s in knots, and I know it’ll only get worse when I’m inside.

I guess word got out about the shooting. Everyone who was home that day must have heard the gunshots. The screams. The ambulance arriving.

As we head for my house, I see a handful of For Lease and For Sale signs down the road. Even the one right across my house.

It’s sad. I lived in this house for close to a decade, and the only neighbor I knew was my babysitter, Miss Langley.

I take the house key out of my purse. I stare at it for a second before inhaling deep, putting down my purse, and turning to Rube.

“Okay,” I tell him. “I’m ready.”

He climbs out of the car and helps me step off the Range Rover’s running board.

Then all the other doors open, my men pouring out of the car and circling me like a bunch of secret service agents.

I hold up my hand. “I got this.”

“You can’t—”

I turn on Zachary. “I can’t walk five yards without adult supervision?” I ask, sugar sweet.

His jaw bunches, but he doesn’t say anything.

“Can’t we just—” Rube says.

“Do you guys think it’s booby-trapped or something? Is the whole place going to explode the second I open the front door?” I walk ahead a foot and then turn on them, arms on my hips. “Seriously?”

They have the decency to look slightly embarrassed, but that doesn’t stop Cass from opening his mouth to argue.

“No.” I lift a finger. “No. I’ll be right over there.” I point at the house. “You’ll be close enough to hear me scream.”

Ooh, bad choice of words.

“Scream?” Apollo says, practically going to his toes. Rube’s hands curls into fists. Zachary’s eyes narrow. And Cass isn’t lounging against the side of the car anymore. He’s standing at the ready.

“Just…” I let out an exasperated growl. “Just stay in the car, would you? I’ll be out in a minute.”

I turn and head for the house, not bothering to find out if they’ll grant me my wish.

I get that they’re concerned about my safety, but Gabriel’s dead. There’s no bogeyman ready to snatch me anymore.

But when will they realize that?

My hand shakes when I try and put the key in the lock, so I take a few long breaths before letting myself in.

I leave the door open, turn around, and give my boys a wave.

Only Apollo waves back.

Why do I have a feeling I’m going to pay for this when we get home?

A faint smile toys around my lips.

I should do this more often.

The air inside my house smells stale. There’s still blood on the carpet where Zachary was shot. The furniture is still out of place.

But Gabriel must have come back at least