Page 151 of Property of Whiskey

Warning.

I soften my voice. “Just one. Then I’m done.”

Kaylee nods.

“The person who tried to get in here today. Do you know why they’d come after you?”

The color drains from her face.

Bullet is on his feet before I can take the question back, not aggressive toward me so much as ready to put himself between Kaylee and anything making her breathe like that. “Deputy.”

“I’m not pushing.”

Kaylee’s breathing gets too fast.

I stop immediately. “Never mind. We’re done.”

She shakes her head.

“No.”

“Kaylee…”

“They know.”

The room seems to lose every sound except her breathing.

“Know what?” I ask.

“That I left.”

Bullet crouches beside the cot. He doesn’t touch her. “Look at me.”

She does.

“Breathe.”

He demonstrates slowly, breathing in and out until Kaylee starts matching him.

Sophie looks toward the doorway.

Legend is there now, Royal behind him and Becki farther back. Whiskey comes last.

His eyes find me immediately.

Kaylee twists the blanket in both hands.

“They don’t let people leave.”

Nobody looks surprised that Pearly Gates had her.

That ain’t new anymore.

What changes their faces is the way she says leave, like getting out was never supposed to be an option.

Legend stays near the doorway. “What people?”

Kaylee closes down.