Sullivan Family: BOOK 2

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Ivan's words from last night haunt me. He finally managed to get a job, but it is out of town. Apparently, Austin's parents have a lot of pull with just about every business in town and spread the word not to hire any Sullivan's, specifically Ivan Sullivan. So, his go to was the oil rigs, but they wouldn't hire him because he refuses to work Sundays. Even though he told them he could work every other day of the week.

His new job causes him anxiety. I could see it when he told us, but he is going to power through that to keep us fed and the bills paid. Ivan will be gone six days out of the week, working twelve hour days, or more, as a ranch hand on a farm two hours away. It is definitely a cutback, but it is an income, which we desperately need. The meals Odin makes are becoming increasingly simple compared to his usual fare.

I sigh deeply and blow stray strands of hair out of my face. Silas and Lukas, the two brothers in the living room with me, completely ignore my irritating antics. Luke is reading the Bible while Silas skims through the 'S' edition of the encyclopedia. Of course, I just had to be stuck with the boring brothers.

Ivan left at five this morning, remarking on the hard frost as he opened the door. Odin said he could feel it in his bones, whatever that means. Now that it is past lunchtime, Odin is puttering around outside, cleaning the yard up for winter. Hollis begged and pleaded until Odin caved and let him follow him around like a lost puppy. Quickly peeking out the window, I think he regrets it.

"Close it, gremlin." Silas orders, his eyes not even leaving the page he is reading.

"Whatever!" I snap, thrusting the curtains closed. Silas tuts at me, but leaves me alone. Luke is somehow very engrossed in whatever bible story he is reading.

I throw myself back on the sectional, kicking my feet up to rest on the top of the couch and the wall. Both brothers in the living room are reading while lying on the floor, leaving the comfy couch to me. I sigh loudly again, showing my displeasure at being cooped up on a Saturday afternoon. Technically, one of the youngers would have been allowed friends over, which would mean company for me, too. But, I have a stalker and he has been spotted and the recent deaths in town may be connected.

Hayes came over last night. So did our family lawyer, Preston Landry. He is still a super scary looking dude, acting all formal and cutting off our answers quickly. All of the questions were triggering, but one answer stands out to me: No, actually, Kolton was only fourteen years old.

Izak was fourteen. Kolton was fourteen. That can't be a coincidence, can it? Even more alarming is the fact that they both had brown hair and brown eyes.

I didn't see Ivan's reaction to Odin telling him their deaths could be related, but how does Brianna fit into there? She was nineteen and a woman of different race. Izak was murdered ten years ago, Kolton and Brianna this past year. Serial killers don't take breaks, right? Unless, maybe, the police were close to catching him... or her.

Oh gosh, the serial killer could be him! Or, is it the stalker lady and she is playing games trying to get into our heads? That doesn't add up, not if she is family and she kept some of us in the family when Ivan couldn't, or refused to do so. But, if Ivan kept all of us, why didn't he keep Ingrid and Imogen?

Are they twins? Both girls? Are they younger, or older, than me? Why was it so important Ivy be notified? Is the stalker lady our sister? At this point, that is what I am assuming. If Odin and Ivan could hide a deceased brother from us, what's one up to a living sister?

I groan and kick my feet when I realized I distracted myself from my goal: sneaking outside. Besides walking to and from the car, and a few random breaks outside at school with Baby watching me, I have not been outside. And I hate it.