mped its way down the dirt track to Gator's Landing. The air thrummed with noi

nd shaking as I handed o

cypress trees, the smell of beer and fried food thick in the ai

en I s

i

hair. Not leani

ek, powerful swamp boat, laughing, a

itched. It

s boat, emblazoned with a snarling gator, shot across the

e. S

ump

her blonde hair shining under the lights. She handed him a wad of cash, then a bouquet of

alid. Kissing Chloe

pressive heat. My legs were

n't se

dden by a knot of

nd strong, not the weak, p

ffing the cash into his pocket. "Like tak

Chloe laug

lapped him on the back. "You sure got that sister of yours fo

ery damn bit of it. She killed Mom and Dad.

Mom a

t me like a

se... because I'd wanted to go to that stupid beach party. I was a reckless teenager

'd said, his voice gentle. "

ry comforting

ed sacrifi

ability

me, the bigge

text, the narrator's voice

ard, pushing th

ia

hoarse whisper.

smile freezin