Bittersweet Injuries: A gripping supernatural thriller (The Dove and Snake Book 1) by Kateri Stanley

Author:Kateri Stanley [Stanley, Kateri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Patrick Weaving fiddled with the keys. They’d gotten stuck in the fabric of his jacket pocket and were ripping at the cheap material. After some squabbling and swearing, he managed to get a hold of them and pushed one of the keys into the lock. He was attacked with the pungent citrus smell of smoke. His father wasn’t accustomed to the use of scented candles and incense sticks. The aroma reminded Pat of the pagan shops in Glastonbury he used to visit as a kid. His mother loved the history of ancient magic.

Pat strode into the hallway, frowning, his instincts prickling from the atmosphere around him. He stepped into the lounge, noting the stained wine glasses and the tumblers drained of whiskey.

He heard a ruckus from the kitchen, and he froze when he saw a half-naked, young blonde woman making tea. She was wearing one of his father’s formal shirts. His mouth grew dry and his mind blanked, a wall blocking any ritual of thought.

The woman stiffened as if a cold breeze had blown past her. Her eyes widened as she clocked him, her lips curling into an uncomfortable smile. “Oh, hello.” She stepped away from the kettle, fiddling with the buttons of his father’s sea blue shirt. “Patrick, am I right?”

“You... know my name?” He laughed with surprise. “I mean, yes, that’s me. Sorry. And you are…?”

“Oh I’m… I’m Lily.”

“Lily...?” The name rang a bell to him for some reason. “That’s the name my dad suggested for my daughter.”

The woman smiled again; her expression trembled with unease.

“Lily, where’s this bloody tea?!” His father’s voice boomed down the stairs. Pat saw the dangling ropes of his dressing gown. “Honestly, I could write a thesis at the speed you’re taking.”

“Hi Dad,” said Pat.

The blood drained from his father’s face. “Pat, what the fuck are you doing here?!”

“You left your wallet at the house. Thought I’d drop by... and I met Lily.” He beamed, smiling from ear to ear, trying with immense difficulty not to explode.

Marcus yanked his robe around his midriff, his eyes twitching towards the woman. “Lils, why don’t you get dressed? I can finish making the drinks.”

The blonde woman stopped stirring, placing the mug on the work surface. “No problem. Sorry, should’ve popped something else on.” She tried to adjust and pull at her shirt but Pat thought it was no use, he’d seen everything. “Anyway, I’ll get out of your hair.” She tiptoed out of the kitchen, sneaking past Pat, sending a sweeping but nervous smile. “Nice to meet you.”

Pat grinned without thinking. He couldn’t wait to tell his wife about this. “Nice to meet you too.”

Lily skedaddled up the stairs, legging it so fast she could’ve tripped up and fallen flat on her face.

Pat tried his hardest to suppress his surprise.

“What are you smirking at?” his father snapped, leaning against the kitchen counter.

“Fucking hell, Dad!” A mixture of laughter and shock exploded from his mouth. “I didn’t know you were a player!”

“I’m not. That’s quite enough.”

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