Cullen touches my cheek. “Rough day, love?”
“I have to talk to you,” I say. “I need another drink though.”
“Let’s do that then,” he says. “Let’s take a walk.”
Cullen slips his hand into mine.
I feel safe and soothed.
Between the rush of booze and the rush of Cullen, I feel okay.
I get two drinks.
Cullen nods at me.
“Relax,” I tell him. “I’m not going to get drunk and take my clothes off. Or end up in that lake.”
“I wouldn’t let you go into that lake, love.”
“Because of all the dead bodies?”
“You’ve heard the rumors?”
“Rumors? Or truths?”
“I guess we’ll never find out, will we?” Cullen asks.
He narrows his eyes just enough to look mean.
It makes me groan deep in my throat.
We walk near the water but obviously don’t touch it.
The drinks go down smooth.
They’re made with-
“Juice,” Cullen says. “Lazarus and I came up with the recipe. Then Quinn stole it and added to it. It’s good. But it’s sneaky. Be careful with that.”
I look at Cullen and stop walking.
I down the entire cup in my right hand.
Then I toss the cup to the ground.
When I lift the left cup toward my mouth, Cullen touches my wrist.
“Are you trying to impress me or chase something away?” he whispers.
“What if it’s both?” I ask.
“Getting blackout drunk doesn’t impress me at all,” he says. “And if you’re chasing something away, you could tell me what it is and I’ll chase it with you.”
“Why? What’s the fascination with me?”
“I’m going to protect you, love,” Cullen says. “You can push me away if you want. I’ll still protect you.”
“You think so, Cullen?” I reach behind me and pull the envelope out of my bag. I slam it against his chest. “Protect me from this then.”