Page 47 of Outlawed

“My pleasure.” He swings him off his shoulder, sending him crashing down into the casket, ripping a loud groan from Porter.

“Well. I guess this is where we part ways.”

Porter opens his eyes, looking disoriented. His pallor is sickly, and I can see the pulse in his neck thundering wildly.

“What’s happening? You said you would leave me alive.”

“I did. Though not for your benefit. For Dawn’s. See, the last thing that went through her head was the thought of her precious daughter. Fear that she might end up in your clutches, sadness that she might not remember her, heartbreak at all the tiny moments she’ll miss out on. Killing you would be too merciful. I want your last moments to be filled with fear and despair, too. It’s only fair. So I brought you here to Martin Hart’s grave. It’s poetic, right? Besides, who’s going to look for you here?”

I pull some of the air from his lungs, not enough to suffocate him, but enough for his chest to feel tight and for screaming to be almost impossible.

“There, that should do it.” I grab the lid and hold it steady as I stare down at the man who should have protected me. I glare at him with every ounce of hate he has earned in this lifetime.

“I hope you rot in hell.” I slam the casket lid down and take a deep, steadying breath. I close my eyes as the air moves around me and the casket lifts off the ground. It’s not by much, but it’s enough. I feel the strain, my temples sweating from the pressure. I move the coffin over the hole and slowly lower it inside. I sway on my feet once I’m done, and Austin reaches out to steady me.

“Fuck, you okay?”

“Yeah, just give me a second, and I’ll get the dirt too.”

“Screw that, I’ve got the dirt. Wait here.”

He jogs off, returning with a shovel.

“Do I even want to know why you carry a shovel in your truck?”

“In case we get snow.”

“And when was the last time Crowhurst got snow?”

“About a hundred years ago.” He winks before he starts scooping the dirt and tossing it on top of the coffin.

I can feel Porter thrashing around and fighting, murmuring for help, but I’m still applying enough pressure to the top of the casket to keep the lid closed. And the more he freaks out, the more oxygen he uses. Hell, at this rate, he’ll be dead before we even leave the cemetery.

With my legs shaking, I walk over to the small stone bench tucked under the oak tree and watch Austin work. He stops for a moment, his eyes moving to me to make sure I’m okay before he rolls up his sleeves and continues. I don’t know what it is about rolled-up sleeves and muscular forearms on a man, but there is something inexplicably sexy about it.

I look around, keeping my eye out even though I know the cemetery is empty. Nobody breaks into a cemetery except for kids, and with the shooting fresh in everyone’s mind, not even they’ll be feeling brave enough.

It’s beautiful here. Part of me feels conflicted about that. I want Dawn’s final resting place to be pretty and peaceful, but I’d rather my father be laid to rest near a sewage plant or something. Still, I try not to think about that and focus on the silver lining instead. Like how turned on I’m getting watching Austin bury my father.

When he’s done, he turns to look at me before crooking his finger. I bite my lip as I get up and walk toward him. “All done?” I ask.

“Almost. There is just one thing left to do here.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

“You.”

Chapter Fourteen

Iswallow, feeling myself get wet at his words.

“Fuck.”.

“Do not make me chase you, Cece. I won’t be able to hold back.”

I bite my lip, feeling my cheeks flush, as arousal heats my blood.

“Strip.”