“Maybe you’ll find yourself.” His grin is charming, and the scar on his face intriguing.
I sigh. I’ll never win an argument with him. “Tell me about your mom.” I need an insight into him. Any insight.
“Don’t remember her, but I do consider Charity my mom.” He grins, looking almost boyish. Not quite. He’ll never look like anything other than the predator he is, even when amused or indulgent. “She would cut the crusts off our sandwiches. That’s what a mom does.”
“That’s true.” I remember my mom doing the same thing. “Did Charity look like Justice?”
Thorn pulls his phone free again and flicks through it, finding a picture. “I think so.”
I look at a smiling young woman who should’ve lived forever. She has Justice’s deep brown eyes and slightly curly brown hair. “She was pretty.”
“Yeah.” Thorn puts his phone away.
The pills are pulling me into a feather-field oasis of comfort. “I think somebody killed my brother.”
Thorn stiffens. “Excuse me?”
“Yeah. I’m investigating the matter,” I say, trying to sound tough but I’m pretty sure I’m slurring my words now.
“Why do you suspect homicide?”
I yawn widely and give him most of the details. “Maybe you could help?” I’m sure it’s the drugs, but he looks invincible.
“Sure.” He checks my ribs and ankle before sitting back down. The man looks so handsome through the haze.
“You’re pretty,” I mumble.
His smile dazzles me.
“Are we going to the ball?” I wonder if he can dance. He has good hands. My thoughts tumble around.
“Yes.”
That’s nice. I’ve attended that charity event every year, and I’ve never had a date. Sure, I’ve danced a lot, but it’s more fun going with Ella and Rosalie. At least it was. I bet it’ll be nice to be with Thorn. “Do you dance?”
“Yes.”
Figures.
“This is complicated, Thorn,” I mumble.
“It doesn’t have to be.”
Maybe not. “You owe me an orgasm.”
“You’re not up to it right now.”
He’s not wrong. “I need to learn how to fight better.” It’s sad, but I didn’t leave one mark on Cal.
“All right. I’ll teach you.”
“Are you sure?” I snort. “I might beat you up.”
He stretches his neck and it pops. “I’ll take my chances.”
That figures as well. My eyelids are getting heavy. “I need to charge the crystals tomorrow before the ball. Then I’m going to find the prettiest dress. You’ll be tongue-tied.” I’ve always wanted to make a man tongue-tied, and doing it to this man will be incredible.
“What did you say?” His voice sounds sharp.
Geez. “Tongue-tied,” I repeat. Surely he’s not cranky about that.
“No.” His hand is on my shoulder, still gentle but firm. “Before that. What are you planning to do tomorrow?”
What was it? Oh yeah. “I have to charge the crystals at Aquarius Social before the event. They’re due.”
“You charge the aquamarines?” Is he growling again?
That’s a secret. Darn it. I forgot. “Yes. I’m the one. Don’t tell anybody.”
“Fuck me.” It sounds like a groan.
“I’m not up to it,” I remind him and slide into a dreamless sleep.
THIRTY-FOUR
Thorn
I shower at Alana’s as she continues to sleep, then dress myself in fresh clothing I brought with me the night before. Her closet is full of yellows, pinks, and aquamarine blue, and I enjoy poking through her jewelry stash. The woman truly does love sparkles.
