Slenderman by CeeRee Fields (best ebook reader for pc .TXT) 📕

Rhys tugged at the ends of his hair. “Slenderman was actually invented by the internet.”

“I know. It’s why I think the killer chose it. Like an internet nightmare come to life as an avenger of betrayal.” She rubbed his thigh before lacing their fingers together again.

“I’ll feel better when you catch this guy.” Rhys scrubbed a hand over his face.

“When will the new security system be installed?”

Rhys hated working the second shift. It always twisted his days around, and it took him a few beats to remember the delivery day. “I think the first set of cameras will be here day after tomorrow.” He rubbed his temple. “I forgot I’m on day shift that day.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be here with Redden and Ian looking at leads. Sullivan said we can take turns going to the precinct, so we both get our training in until this guy is caught.”

“Okay, I don’t like the thought of Rian involved in this, but it sounds like he was already neck-deep without any of us knowing. So we’ll do what we need to keep all of us safe.”

Jo’s shoulders slumped. “I’m glad you said that.”

Rhys found his first smile. “I still can’t believe the infamous Redden is in our guestroom. I bet that chapped your butt asking him if he wanted to stay here.”

“You have no idea,” Jo groaned. “But we’ve made our peace, and I’ve quit harassing him for the most part.”

“Okay, I trust you to not get Rian hurt.” Rhys leaned and kissed her. “Now can we get to the good stuff?”

Jo chuckled and slid her knees on either side of him, her hands smoothed over him. “Speaking of the good stuff. After I ordered my wedding dress, I went to find some lingerie for the honeymoon.”

Rhys set down his wine so his hands were free to glide over the water slicked skin of her back. He wrapped his arms around Jo’s waist and kissed the bend of her neck. All this time together and her skin against his still made him catch his breath. She tipped her head, arching her neck.

“Do I get to approve them?” he asked, hopeful.

She leaned in and nibbled on his earlobe. Heat poured into him. He wanted her. Now.

“Nope, on the honeymoon. The ratings will go from slid off my body slowly and ripped to shreds. We can practice the ravishing part though.” She tapped the foil packet on the shelf behind them.

Rhys claimed her lips and lost himself in her. No monsters existed when his porcupine was around.

Chapter 9

Rhys heaved a sigh of relief at walking into the dining room to see several table settings. The formal dining room hadn’t been used since his parents’ deaths. He ran his hand over the silky smooth table Marta kept polished to a high sheen. A warm red with dark accents. Tiger maple, or flame maple, was what his mother called the pattern.

“You thinking about Mom?” Rian walked across the thick light-colored carpet.

“Yes.” Rhys looked his brother over and smiled. “Don’t you look dapper.”

Rian laughed. “Now you’re channeling Dad. I never understood what dapper meant.”

“Handsome. Well put together.”

Rian had swapped his long-sleeved, solid colored shirt under a t-shirt paired with jeans out with dark brown button-down shirt and charcoal slacks. His brown hair had been carefully combed and his jaw cleanly shaved. All of it would have projected calm if his six-foot frame wasn’t vibrating with nervous energy. Wanting to put his brother at ease, Rhys pointed toward the two chairs that were a shade lighter than the table.

“Do you remember when those two chairs broke and mom cried for days?”

Rian ran his hands across the two newer chairs. “She was so upset that she’d broken her grandmother’s dining room chairs. Dad told her they were old and the joints hadn’t been stable for a few months.”

“It took Dad several weeks to find someone who could and would be willing to make a new pair from the tiger maple since most crafters use the wood for instruments.”

“I didn’t know that.” Rian’s brown eyes took in the room. “I remember the dinner parties they had in here.”

“They loved to entertain.”

Rian hummed as he moved closer to the china cabinet to the right. “Did Mom ever teach you the difference between the two chinas?”

Rhys laughed. “She did. Why do you think we never eat off the bone china?”

“I know, right?” Rian shivered. “The first time she told me I pictured great Uncle Harvey. He was the only one in the family who ever demanded to be cremated. I asked Mom if it was like that.”

He laughed harder. “I bet she covered her mouth in shock and looked around for Dad.”

Rian’s head bobbed in agreement.

“You know how to tell the difference between the two?”

“No, Mom never told me.” Rian leaned closer to peer at the pieces in the cabinet and his breath fogged the glass.

“Bone china is almost translucent when you hold it up to the light and is warmer in color.”

“Translucent?”

“It means you can see your hand through it because it’s thin.”

“Oh. I didn’t know that. I knew the bone pieces came from Dad’s side of the family and the fine china was their wedding present.”

Rhys wrapped his arm around Rian’s waist as he realized it would be up to him to fill his brother in on their shared family history.

“They blended their stuff well, didn’t they, Rhys? Because they loved each other.”

“They did love each other and were willing to blend their things, so both of their families were present in their lives.”

Though Rian was several inches taller than Rhys, he still leaned on him when things became overwhelming. “I loved them, Rhys. But I don’t think they would’ve ever let me live in the pool house.”

He squeezed his brother in a side hug. “I would’ve helped you convince them when you were ready.”

“Nah. It took Jo’s family for me to finally see what was possible. For both of us.”

“Jo’s pretty special.” Rian