Page 50 of Devil

“Yep.” I quip and she spins on her heel, heading to the bar.

She says something to Lacey, and she nods. Nova grabs her purse, and waves for me to follow. I stand up, tossing a few bills on the table. As I head towards the door, the bitch gives me a look, telling me to eat shit and die, but I give her my award-winning smile which makes her frown deepen more.

Once outside, I meet Nova at her car, hugging her tightly. “Be careful.”

Her hands find my ass and she squeezes. “You too.”

Shaking my head, we get in our vehicles, hitting the road as I stay behind her car. Her little beater is a death trap. I’ve talked to her about getting a new one, but she’s attached to the damn thing for some reason. I’ve thought about just buying her a car, but knowing her, it’d probably piss her off.

That’s a battle for another day.

We pull into the driveway, and I hop out of the truck as she meets me halfway and we head towards the house. Unlocking the door, we take two steps inside before we both stop. Nova’s entire body shakes with laughter, and I just stare, shaking my damn head.

Bandit’s bad ass is creeping through the house on his hind legs, carrying a jar of fucking peanut butter.

We step further inside, closing the door behind us. Nova follows the furball into his room, her giggles becoming louder. I join them, finding the little shit twisting off the lid of the jar with his creepy little fingers.

“You’re so smart, buddy. You almost have it.” She coos, clapping her hands.

I love this woman with every fiber of my being and seeing her happy is the only fucking reason there’s a racoon eating peanut butter in our spare bedroom.

He removes the lid, dunking his paw into the jar. He brings it back out, smacking loudly as he licks his fingers clean.

“Aw. Look at him Colt. He’s such a big boy now. He doesn’t need the spoon anymore.” She kneels in front of him, fascinated by the little thief.

“I see that.” I say flatly.

She side-eyes me, before returning her attention back to Bandit. “Daddy loves you, baby boy. He’s just an asshole.”

I chuckle at that, coming up beside her, running my fingers through her hair. She leans into my touch with a content smile on her face. “I’m going to make us something to eat.”

“Okay. I’ll be in there in a minute.”

Chapter Twenty-four

Nova

I’m off work today, but Colt had some business to take care of.

I slept in, waking up to Bandit staring at me while smacking on a celery stick, courtesy of his dad. He’s so good about keeping fresh fruit and vegetables in the house for him.

Bandit and I watched each other until he smacked me in the forehead with his celery. I figured after that; it was time to get up. I took him to the pet store, fitting him for a harness so I can take him for walks outside. I’m sure he’s tired of being cooped up all the time, but you’d never know with the way he’s made our cabin his own.

We’ve been home a little over an hour and I haven’t heard from Colt in a while. I’m cooking dinner while Bandit chases his ball, batting my leg with his paw every time he passes me. The little furball running circles around the island has brought me so much joy. Other people might think I’m weird for having him. I guess it’s a good thing I don’t give a fuck what people think.

Stirring the chicken in the pan, my mind drifts to Colt. Something has been on his mind the past few days. I’ve tried to talk to him, but he says everything is fine. He seems withdrawn, lost in his thoughts and I don’t know how to get him to open up.

Bandit swipes my leg for the twentieth time as he passes me and I spin around to watch him, but I’m met with cold, blue eyes instead.

Colt’s body is rigid, obviously in stealth mode since I didn’t hear him come in. He looks detached, like he’s planning his next kill.

Oh shit.

I approach him slowly.

I’m not worried he’ll hurt me; I know he never would. He’s shutting me out and I don’t fucking like it, but I don’t want to spook him. He’s like a caged animal and I have to remind him I’m here, on his side, ready to fight beside him.

He’s as still as death and I raise my hand to his cheek. He doesn’t move and my stomach twists. Rising on my tiptoes, I press my lips to his.