“The risk outweighs the possible consequences.”
“I’m shocked,” she admitted, dropping her arms to her lap. “You didn’t want me training with Blake because you didn’t trust him and that was before we knew he was a killer.”
“But now we’re both going into this knowing what he’s capable of. Our eyes are open.”
“That makes no sense.”
It didn’t really matter if it made sense or not, because we really had no choice. Car doors closed outside, catching Kat’s attention. She glanced at the window. “The only reason you’re going to work with him is for Dawson and me. That’s probably not the wisest decision you’ve made.”
“Maybe not.” I clasped her cheeks, drawing her attention back to me. I kissed her deeply, keeping us connected until she moaned into my mouth. Then I dumped her on the cushion next to me and stood. “But my mind’s made up. Be prepared. This meeting isn’t going to go well.”
As expected, the meeting went as well as rolling around naked in a pit of fire ants would.
Matthew looked like he was two seconds from drowning himself in a bottle of liquor. Dee, Ash, and Andrew wanted to find Blake and murder him slowly and in a very bloodthirsty way. Admittedly, it was disturbing seeing Dee as fired up as she was. Adam’s death had hardened her, just like it had me when we thought Dawson had died.
And Dawson was ready to say screw it all and invite Blake right into the house.
But Dee…damn, she was undeterred, even when Ash and Andrew, who’d lost their brother, seemed to realize the predicament we were in.
“Then we find out who he’s talked to or working with and take care of them!”
My mouth dropped open. “Are you serious?”
“Yes!”
I turned away, unable to look at her. This wasn’t my sister.
Dawson leaned forward on the couch. “Is your need for vengeance more important than finding and stopping what they’re doing to Beth?”
When I glanced back at her, she stood there, staring at Dawson with a grim, determined look on her face.
“Because, little sister, let me tell you that what Adam went through pales in comparison to what she’s experiencing. The things I’ve seen…” Dawson trailed off and his gaze lowered as he shook his head. “If you doubt what I say, then ask Katy. She’s had a taste of some of their methods, and she can still barely talk from screaming.”
The blood drained from her face as she glanced at Kat. They still hadn’t really talked, but Dee knew what had happened to Kat when Will had hold of her. Dee looked away far too quickly, and based on the shit she was spouting earlier at Kat, it was obvious that she still blamed Kat for Adam.
“You ask a lot,” Dee said, her voice hoarse. Her lower lip trembled as her shoulders slumped. Her tear-filled gaze swept the room, then she turned and walked out the door.
Andrew moved before anyone else, glancing in my direction. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Thank you.” I rubbed my palm along my jaw. “Well, that went wonderful.”
“Did you really expect her or any of us to be okay with it?” Ash asked.
I snorted. “No, but I have a problem with my sister so willing to kill.”
“I can’t…” Kat didn’t finish. She scrubbed her fingers through her hair.
“How do we contact Blake?” Matthew asked, getting the conversation back on track. “It’s not something I can or wish to discuss with him in class.”
“What?” Kat asked when eyes settled on her.
“You have his number, don’t you?” Ash stared at her nails. “Text. Call him. Whatever. And tell him we’re ridiculously stupid and plan to help him.”
Kat wrinkled her nose, but she reached into her bag and grabbed her phone. Her fingers flew over the screen. I could tell he responded quickly, because she sighed. “Saturday evening.” Her voice sounded weak. “He wants to meet tomorrow evening in a public spot—Smoke Hole.”
I nodded.
She sent back a text and then said, “It’s done.”
The two words landed like a ton of cement in the center of the living room. No one was really relieved, but what was done was done. Dee and Andrew hadn’t returned by the time Matthew and Ash left. Dawson had gone upstairs and Kat outside. I followed, walking up behind her, repeating what she had done for me this afternoon. I wrapped my arms around her, and she leaned into me. Several moments passed as neither of us spoke in the silence that was broken only by a distant call of a bird. In those few precious minutes, my thoughts raced over everything that had happened since Kat had moved into the house next door. Regret settled in my chest.
I rested my chin atop her head. “I’m sorry.”