Page 121 of With Spite

“He’s still out there.”

“Yeah,” Hux said, not bothering to act like he didn’t know who I meant.

“What are we going to do?” I asked.

“We’re going to keep you protected,” he promised. “We’re going to find this sick fuck, then we’re going to burn him alive.”

I smiled, because I liked that idea.

“And Chan?”

Hux grunted. “No longer a problem.”

Well, thank God for that.

That took out half the problem.

But what about the other half?

Twenty-Nine

Stuck somewhere between try harder and why bother.

—Bernice to Hux

Hux

“What are you going to do?” Sage asked.

I rubbed at the back of my neck. “Take her to some warm weather.”

“Arkansas isn’t warm.” Sage laughed. “But it’s warmer than here.”

“I got her a little buddy heater and a hell of a good mask,” I said. “We’re going to keep her warm.”

“She’ll love it,” Birdee said. “We’ll hold down the fort while you’re gone.”

I looked over at my grandfather. “You sure you have it in you to keep the butcher shop open?”

“I do.” My grandfather rolled his eyes.

“I got the store,” my mom added.

I looked at her. “Well, let’s hope, seeing as it’s yours.”

My mom sniffed.

“Go.” Katana placed her hand on my arm. “Give her a good week.”

Leaving was imperative.

One, because Bernice needed a break from here.

She was terrified to go outside.

She was terrified to go back to work.

She had a panic attack every time she had to get into her truck.