Read Love you to Death for Free Online

twice in one day. That had to be a record. “You’re a horrible brother.”
    Sam grinned. “That sounds a lot like defeat to me. So, spill it already. Why are you late? You’re never late.”
    “My neighbor’s sister came to town last night.”
    “Oooh. I like where this is going. ‘Dear
Penthouse
,’ . . .”
    “My neighbor has gone missing, dickhead. Have a little sympathy.”
    All the humor in Sam’s face fell from his expression, leaving it bleak and barren. “You’re not talking about Ashley, are you?”
    “Yeah. I am.”
    “How long?”
    “How long what?”
    “How long has Ashley been missing? Has anyone talked to the police? Filed a report?” Sam slung the questions at him like closed fists.
    “Since Friday. Yes, and yes. What the hell, Sam?”
    Sam pulled his shovel from the ground. “We should be out there looking for her. That girl doesn’t have two brain cells left to rub together. All those paint fumes killed them. Someone’s got to look out for her.”
    “The police know what’s going on. It’s not our business.”
    “I don’t care. Let’s go look for her.” Sam turned to leave.
    Trent stepped in his path. “The police have it covered. They’ll find her.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes,” lied Trent. He knew the kinds of things that could happen to a young, beautiful woman, and he didn’t want his little brother to witness any of them.
    Sam’s posture relaxed somewhat. “We should still go look for her.”
    “I already have. That’s why I was late. Her sister and I were cruising around, looking for her car.”
    “That screaming-green Volvo? Shouldn’t be hard to find.”
    No, it shouldn’t have been, which only made Trent worry more that Elise was right and something bad had happened. But, since his brother was already getting riled up, he skipped stating his worry and stuck with the facts. “We didn’t see it.”
    “Maybe she’s out of town.” Sam sounded hopeful and worried all at the same time.
    Trent shrugged. “That’s what I told Elise, but she’s sure there’s a problem or Ashley would have called by now.”
    “Well, hell,” spat Sam. “Like I needed one more thing to worry about.”
    “Then don’t worry. The police are on it. So is Elise.”
    Sam’s body relaxed more, deflating him. “Let’s hope she’s smarter than her sister.”
    “She is. Cuter, too.”
    “Like hell she is. God doesn’t make ’em any cuter than Ashley. That’s why no one’s killed her yet.”
    “Let’s hope.”
    “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
    “Elise has a bad feeling.”
    “People have bad feelings all the time.” Sam sounded like he was trying to convince himself.
    “Last time I had one was two years ago.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Trent regretted them. He hurriedly added, “But I’m sure you’re right. It’s nothing.”
    Sam buried his shovel in the ground and leaned on it. He stared intently at Trent, speaking in a low voice. “You can talk to me about it, you know. About what happened.”
    No, he couldn’t. Not to Sam. Not to anyone. That part of his life was locked up tight, sealed and buried. It was the only way he could keep moving each day, keep living.
    Trent gave his head a brief shake. “Won’t help. Why bother.”
    “John called me again last night. He said he tried to get ahold of you several times, but the number he had was disconnected. Apparently, he doesn’t have your cell phone number.”
    A sick sense of panic flooded Trent’s stomach. He couldn’t talk to his former partner. He couldn’t face the mistake he’d made and the lives he’d ruined. “You didn’t give it to him, did you?”
    Sam sighed. “No. I figured I’d talk to you first, make sure it was okay.”
    “It’s not. I don’t want to talk to him.”
    “You shot the man. I think you owe him the courtesy of a fucking phone call now and then.”
    No. The best thing he could do for John was leave him in peace. Anything he tried to