Chapter 10 | Alexis
Alexis
Isearched the kitchen for food and other supplies while Nick dealt with the bodies. I knew he was exhausted, but I also wanted him to remain awake for the next several hours to monitor his concussion.
I found several cans of food in the cupboards. Nothing that looked appealing, but stuff that was certainly edible. I tested the gas stove, noting that gas seemed to flow but the lighter was out. Searching through the drawers, I found some matches that we could use to light the burners.
I tested the light switches and sighed when I realized none of them worked. Striding into the living room, I took in the sight of Nick placing both men’s limp bodies on top of the large rug in front of the coffee table.
“There’s no power,” I said, shivering at the sight of the dead bodies. “The water seems to be working, but it’s cold and I can’t get it to turn hot. There must be a well somewhere, but I can’t find a hot water tank or anything like that.”
“Okay,” he said, positioning the bodies on the carpet. Bile rose in my throat, and I held my fingers to my lips. This was why I hated the mafia world. So much death resulting from long-heated rivalries. It seemed so senseless to me.
“I’m going to remove the rest of their clothes so we can wear them,” Nick said, his tone less than thrilled. “We’re going to need as much warm clothing as possible, especially when the blizzard is over and we need to hike back to the main road.”
I glanced out the window. Several inches of snow had already fallen, and the flakes were now falling consistently.
“I can also search the car,” I said. “Even though it’s crushed, there’s probably a bag of clothes and toiletries we can pull out to use.”
“Good idea. We’ll rummage around there later.” He removed the rest of the men’s clothes, leaving them in their underwear before he spoke in a solemn tone.
“I need to burn the bodies before the snow gets any harder.”
“You don’t want to bury them?”
“I don’t have the strength to dig graves right now, and I’m not sure there’s a shovel. Also, if I dig too shallow a grave, it could attract wild animals looking for food. Burning them is better.” He rolled up the bodies in the carpet and leaned down to grip the edge.
Inhaling a deep breath, I held up my hand. “Wait. Let me put on my shoes. I’ll help you.”
I slipped on my sneakers and walked toward the other end of the rug.
“You don’t have to, Alexis,” he said softly. “I can do it.”
“I’m in this now,” I said, lifting my chin. “And I’m going to help you.”
We dragged the rug to the back door and left it there while Nick stepped outside to build a pyre. Thankfully, there was a stack of wood covered by a weather-worn tarp. It had seen better days, and the wood looked old, but it would burn.
Nick stacked some of the wood into a makeshift pyre before I helped him drag the rug over and set it on top. I handed him the matches and he turned to me.
“Any liquor inside?”
“I think I saw some vodka. Be right back.”
Sure enough, there was half a bottle of shitty vodka in the cabinet. I took it outside and he poured it over the rug and logs. He lit several matches and threw them onto the pyre.
The snow had slowed, although it was still coming down, and I crossed my arms over my chest. “Will it burn in the snow?”
He nodded. “I’ll keep checking on it. Let’s carry some logs inside for the fireplace.”
We made several rounds, carrying tons of logs inside just in case the blizzard buried them against the side of the house.
I glanced out the window, noting that the pyre was still burning, and said a silent prayer for the souls of the men who’d died.
Although they’d been huge dicks, I hoped their souls found peace.
Nick and I sat on the couch, and he leaned his head back against the fabric. Sighing, he closed his eyes.
“I think you can take a nap now,” I said, worried but knowing he needed to rest. “I’ll wake you up in two hours to make sure you’re okay.”
“I can stay awake,” he said, his eyes drooping. “Don’t want to leave you alone...”
My heart slammed in my chest at his poignant words. He was such a man of honor, and I was incredibly lucky to be protected by him.
“I think I’ll be okay, boss,” I teased, patting his pec. “Take off your shoes and stretch out. Let me see if I can find a blanket.”
I headed upstairs, noting the queen-sized bed and couch. There was a closet that held several blankets, so I grabbed a few of them and returned to Nick’s side. He was stretched out on the couch, his huge body almost too large for it. He snored softly and I covered him with one of the blankets.
As he slept, I trailed back upstairs, testing the bedroom temperature.
It was easily twenty degrees colder than the area in front of the fire, and I knew I’d freeze to death if we tried to sleep up there.
I eyed the mattress and decided to improvise.
I tugged it off the bed and slid it down the stairs before dragging it to the floor in front of the fireplace.
I returned upstairs and found a fitted sheet in the closet. After putting that on the mattress, I brought down the pillows and placed two blankets on top of the fitted sheet. Crossing my arms, I gave a nod.
“Perfect.”
I found a cloth in the kitchen and wet it before wiping up some of the blood on the floor. It was impossible to clean it all off, but I made progress. Returning to the kitchen, I rinsed out the cloth and washed my hands with the tiny bottle of dish soap by the sink.
Striding to the back door, I checked on the pyre, which was still burning despite an uptick in snowfall. White flakes now fell with regularity from the gray sky, and I knew the pyre would be doused and buried with snow within a few hours.
I slid on my sneakers and walked outside, sticking my hand in the snow to measure it. It was above my wrist. The blizzard was coming whether we liked it or not.
Rising, I flicked my hand to rid it of the snow and gazed at the sky.
“I’m okay, Mom,” I whispered, knowing she’d be worried sick about me. “We’re coming back soon. Promise.”
Then, I headed back inside, locking the door behind me before I checked on my sleeping patient.