He knew what was happening across the hall.

For some reason, he kept looking over at their three toothbrushes, which were standing up in a silver cup by the folded hand towels on the counter. The { 232 }.

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red one was Edwards because he was the eldest and always got to pick first.

Max went for green because it was the manliest of what was left. Lane got stuck with yellow and hated it.

No one ever wanted KU blue"

A soft click and the rasp of a door being opened broke the quiet. Lane waited until there was a second click and then he got to his feet and peered into Edwards room.

In the dimness, Edward was walking toward the bathroom all bent over, with one arm around his belly, and the other thrown out to steady himself on the bureau, the wall, the desk.

Lane rushed forward and took ahold of his brothers waist.

Sick, Edward groaned. Gonna be sick.

Oh, God, he was bleeding down his face, their fathers signet ring having cut into his skin when hed been cuffed.

Ive got you, Lane mumbled. Ill take care of you.

The going was slow, Edwards legs struggling to hold his torso up. Part of his pjs top had gotten stuck in the waistband of the pants when theyd been pulled back into place after the whipping, and all Lane could think about was what was underneath. The welts, the blood, the swelling.

Edward barely made it to the toilet in time, and Lane stayed throughout the vomiting. When it was done, he took that red toothbrush out of the silver cup and got the Crest. After a brushing, he helped his brother back out and over to the bed.

Why dont you cry, Lane said roughly as his brother settled on the mattress like his entire body hurt. Just cry. Hell stop as soon as you do.

That was the way it was whenever he and Max got beaten.

Go to bed, Lane.

Edwards voice was exhausted.

Im sorry, Lane whispered.

Its okay. Go to bed.

It had been hard to leave, but hed already screwed up badly once that night and look what had happened with that.

Back in his own room, hed gotten in between his sheets and stared up at the ceiling.

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Is he okay? Max asked.

For some reason, the shadows in their room were completely threaten- ing, seeming to have been thrown by monsters moving and lurking on the periphery.

Lane?

Yes, he lied. Hes fine"

L ane?Lane shook himself, and glanced over his shoulder. What?

Lizzie pointed at the microwave. Its done?

Beep . . .

Beep . . .

He just stood there and blinked, trying to return from the past.

Right, sorry.

Back at the table, he put the steaming food down and sat in his seat . . . only to discover that hed lost his appetite. When Lizzie reached across and put her hand on his, he took what she offered and brought it to his mouth for a kiss.

What are you thinking about? Lizzie asked.

You really want to know?

Yes.

Well, didnt he have so many things to pick from.

As she waited for an answer, he stared at her face for the longest time. And then he smiled a little. Right now . . . this very moment . . .

Im thinking that if I have a chance with you, Lizzie King, Im going to take it.

The blush that hit her face was covered when she put her palms up.

Oh, God . . .

He laughed softly. You want me to change the subject?

Yes, she said from hiding.

He didnt blame her. Fine, Im really glad I came out here. Easterly is like a rope around my throat right now.

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Lizzie rubbed her eyes, and then dropped those hands. You know, I cant believe about Rosalinda.

That is just plain horrific. He sat back in his chair, respecting her need for another topic. And get this. Mitch Ramsey, the sheriffs dep- uty? He called me on the way here. The medical examiners initial thought is hemlock.

Hemlock?

Her face . . . He circled his own with his hand. That gruesome smile? It was caused by some kind of facial paralysis" which happens to be well documented with that variety of poison, apparently. Man, Ill tell you what, Im not likely to forget what that looked like for a very long time.

Is it possible she was killed?

They dont think so. You need a good dose of hemlock to get the job done, so its more likely she did it herself. Plus her Nikes were brand new and had grass on the bottoms.

Nikes? She doesnt wear anything except flats.

Exactly, but she was found with this pair of running shoes on, which shed evidently just bought and walked around in outside. From what Mitch said, back in Roman times, people used to take the poison and then ambulate to make it work faster. So again, that points to her doing it herself.

How . . . horrific.

The question is why . . . and unfortunately, I think we know the answer to that one.

What are you going to do now?

He stayed silent for a while. And then his eyes lifted to hers. For starters, I was thinking of taking you upstairs.

Lizzie blushed again. And what are you going to do with me on the second floor?

Help you fold your laundry.

She barked out a laugh. I hate to disappoint you, but thats already been done.

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Make your bed?

Sorry. Done.

Curse your work ethic. Darn your socks? Any buttons that need replacing?

Are you saying youre good with a needle and thread?

Im a fast learner. So . . . care to sew with me?

Im afraid Ive got nothing like that to attend to.

Is there something else I can help you with then, he said in a low voice. Some kind of ache I could soothe. Some fire I could put out"

with my mouth, maybe?

Lizzie closed her eyes, and swayed in her chair. Oh . . . God . . .

Wait, Ive got it. How bout I take you to the second floor and we mess up your bed" then we can remake it.

When she finally looked over at him, her lids were low and her eyes were hot. You know . . . that sounds like a perfect plan.

I love it when were both on the same page.

They stood up together, and before she could stop him, he went over and picked her up.

What are you doing? She pushed at his hold as she started to laugh. Lane"

What does it look like. He headed out of the kitchen. Im carrying you upstairs.

Wait. Wait, I weigh too much"

Oh, please.

No, I really" Im not one of those tiny little females"

Exactly. Youre a real woman. He hit the stairs and kept going.

And thats what real men are attracted to. Trust me.

She let her head fall on his shoulder, and as he felt her eyes search his face, he thought of what Chantal had done with his father. Or at least, what she had said shed done.

Lizzie had never betrayed him. Not in thought Not in deed.

She simply wasnt hardwired like that.

Which made her a real woman, and not just because she was no hundred-pound, social X- ray.

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No, you dont have to say it, he murmured as the old steps creaked under his feet.

Say what?

That this doesnt mean anything in the larger scheme of things. I know you want me as a friend only, and I accept that. You should be aware of one caveat, though.

Whats that, she breathed.

He let his voice deepen. Im prepared to be a very patient man when it comes to you. I will seduce you for however long it takes"give you space if you need it or follow you tight as sunshine on your shoulder if youll let me. His eyes locked on hers. I lost my chance with you once, Lizzie King" that is not going to happen again.

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T W ENT Y- SEV EN.

A s Edward sat in his chair, he was floating on a cloud of Beefeater gin, his body numb to the point where he was actually able to entertain a fantasy of potential strength and flexibility.