behavioral changes, I want you to bring her back in here.” The doctor stood, moving to the trashcan as he peeled off his bloodied gloves. Facing me, he smiled weakly. “The woods this time of year can be dangerous. It’s bowhunting season.”
Unwillingly, my gaze went to the massive man slouched in the corner of the room. I wondered if Kurt did any bowhunting. Could it only be a coincidence that he’d returned at the same time someone had tried to make a shish kabob out of me? And the car that’d almost run me over could’ve been one of the Porsches sitting in the garage.
Kurt arched a blond brow at me.
My lips twisted into a semblance of a smile. I waited until we were in the car before I gave him the third degree. In the back of my mind, I wondered if the pain pills had given me a form of chemical courage. “So, where’ve you been?”
He glanced at Cromwell. “On business.”
I leaned forward, planting myself between the two front seats. “You have a job?”
Cromwell raised his brows at me. “Perhaps you should sit back and rest, Ember.”
“I’m not tired.” I stared at Kurt. “What kind of job do you have?” He looked at Cromwell again, who sighed and shook his head. “I work for Jonathan.”
“Really,” I said. “And what kind of work is that?”
Kurt looked like he was fighting a smile. “Whatever he asks me to do.”
I started to fold my arms, but felt the stitches pull. “So, you’d put stuff in people’s lockers?”
He laughed. “What?”
“How about slicing up bunnies?”
His jaw tightened. “Not lately, princess.”
I made a face. “So, when was the last time you did it?”
“Are you high?” asked Kurt.
“Maybe,” I admitted. “But you didn’t answer my question.”
Cromwell turned in the seat, clearly not amused. “You’ve had a very stressful evening and are probably under the influence of strong narcotics. That’s the only reason why I’m tolerating what is coming out of your mouth at this moment, but please let me make myself clear. One more insinuation and I may do something I’ll regret later.”
My eyes narrowed on him. “Like what?”
He held my stare. “Did I not make myself clear?”
I flung myself against the back seat, wincing at the dull flare of pain. “Yeah, you’re crystal clear, boss.”
Kurt snorted. “I kind of like her like this.”
“Why does that not surprise me?” Cromwell said, sighing.
Thankfully, Kurt drove like he was in NASCAR and we pulled into the garage in record time. Not waiting for them, I yanked open the handle and stumbled out of the car.
“Hey, you might want to take it a bit easy. You’re going to pull your stitches out.” Kurt was a step behind me.
I glanced over my shoulder. “And you’d care? Really? Didn’t you try to tackle me in my house?”
A wry smile pulled at his lips. “Didn’t you hit me over the head with a lamp?”
“
Cromwell pinched the bridge of his nose.
Before Kurt could respond, the door to the garage flew open. Hayden’s dark eyes focused on me.
“How are you?”
“Lovely,” Cromwell muttered. “Hayden, could you please get Liz? She can help Ember get cleaned up and ready for bed.”
I brushed past them all, promptly tripping over the raised doorway to the kitchen. Incredibly fast, Hayden snagged me around the waist and set me on my feet. I shrugged his arm off. “I can clean myself up, thank you.”
“What’s wrong with her?” he asked, following me into the kitchen.
“Pain pills.” Kurt laughed. “She’s definitely not a happy pill user.”
I spun around, using my good arm to point at him. “I’m not happy because someone is after me! There are creepy and gross things in my locker!” I stepped to the side, tugging on my ruined hoodie. “And I can clean myself. I don’t want
Hayden’s expression softened as he caught my covered wrists. “Ember, you don’t want to do that.” He moved my hand away from the hem of my hoodie. “Let me take you upstairs.”
I stared into his deep brown eyes. They were so beautiful, so open. It took me a moment to remember why I was angry with him. I pulled away from him. “I saw you,” I whispered.
His brows rose as he whispered back, “Saw what?”
“With her.” I lowered my eyes, letting out a shaky sigh. All my anger suddenly vanished. The cockiness dried up. I just wanted to sit down. And maybe take a bath. Sit first, though.
Confusion faded from his face. “Ember, that’s not—”
“I wanna see my mom.” I turned away from him, realizing then we had company.
The twins stood in the doorway, flanked by the cherub-faced Gabe. They all stared at me.
“What?” I grumbled.
Gabe’s lips pursed. “You have blood all over your left cheek.”
Hastily, I used the good sleeve of my hoodie and swiped it over my face.
Hayden caught my arm, pulling it down. “It’s okay. Gabe, where’s Liz?”
“She’s with Olivia.” Gabe folded his arms as he shifted his weight to his other foot. “Olivia wanted Liz to stay with her until she fell asleep or something.”
My shoulders slumped. Olivia hadn’t asked me to do that since we’d come here.
“So… what happened?” Phoebe asked quietly.
“She thinks I slice up rabbits.” Kurt pulled out a chair and dropped into it. I scowled as he stretched out his legs. He winked. “She thinks I’m your run-of-the-mill psychopath.”
Phoebe’s eyes went wide.
“Kurt,” Hayden warned softly.
“You are a psychopath,” I said.
“Ember, what did I tell you in the car?” Cromwell grabbed a water from the fridge. “You’ve had a troubling evening—”
“You can’t tell me these things aren’t related!” I backed away, hitting the edge of the counter. “Y-you just expect me to think all these things are coincidences?”
Phoebe crossed her arms, stricken-looking. “Oh, damn…”
“What?” asked her twin, frowning. Then his eyes narrowed. “What did you do?”
Those words had a stilling effect on everyone in the room, probably because Parker rarely ever spoke. I’d forgotten how soft and melodious his voice was.
Phoebe rubbed a hand down her face. The kitchen light caught and reflected off the deep purple nail polish. Suddenly, she whirled on her twin. “I know,” she hissed. “I’m fucked up. Don’t you think I know that?”
“What’s going on?” Cromwell demanded.
Parker shook his head. “Tell them, or I will.”
I leaned against the counter as Hayden stepped forward. Compassion marked his gaze as he approached Phoebe. At once, I had a feeling I should be sitting down.
“Phoebe? You can tell us.” Hayden took her hand. “What did you do?”
I squeezed my eyes shut. He cared for her. It was so evident; probably everyone in the room could sense it. How had I missed it? Because I was a glutton for punishment, I opened my eyes in time to see Hayden pull her against his chest. Had I really meant anything to Hayden? Or was Phoebe just more broken than me?
Then Phoebe started crying. “I’m sorry. I really am.” Her voice was muffled against Hayden’s sweater. “I just couldn’t take it.”
Cromwell walked around the table, placing his hand on Phoebe’s back. His eyes met Hayden’s as he spoke. “Couldn’t take what, Phoebe?”
