Page 24 of Cursed By Fate

He locked eyes with me. “My life was as normal as any human’s. I had a family. Great-grandkids even. I promised Tucker I’d take him hunting, teach him how to shoot, right before I was whisked away to Evermore.”

“Tucker and your family can see you during visiting hours.”

His gaze narrowed. “You must either have family money, or you don’t have any family at all.”

My face grew warm. “No family to speak of.”

“Thought as much. Mine lives in Missouri, Miss August. Most of the grownups earn minimum wage. Do you have any idea how much it would cost them to make the trip here?”

“I see.”

“Good. Glad I could educate you.”

“You’re able to see them during video chats, though, right?”

“Sure, but I haven’t had a hug in one thousand and fifty-two days.” He squeezed his eyes closed, as though remembering the sensation. “Hurts like a bitch, not having something so simple that most people take for granted.”

Hunting and hugging. Well, I couldn’t help him with the former, but maybe there was something I could do about the latter. Physical touch wasn’t one of my strengths, unless it involved violence. The Fates hadn’t been known for their displays of affection.

“I can hug you, if you want to break your streak.” I opened my arms; no doubt I looked like a drunken scarecrow.

He gave me a long look. “I was only venting. Don’t make it weird.”

My arms dropped to my sides. “That’s a relief because I’m a terrible hugger.”

“I can tell. You looked like a mime, pretending to carry a watermelon.”

I took that one on the chin. “I can bump you to the top of the list for a new roommate.”

“You think I want my roommate to hug me?”

“You seem lonely, Mr. Musgrove. You probably miss Milo more than you think.”

He nodded slowly. “I wouldn’t mind someone to watch the game with. I don’t like to be the only voice yelling at the TV.”

“I’ll see what I can do. One last question before I leave you to berate the television. Where did you acquire the gun?”

He licked his lips, stalling. “I forget.”

Justine would skin me alive for this, but I needed the information. “What if I was able to arrange an in-person reunion with members of your family—at no cost to them?”

His face lit up like the sky on Fourth of July. “You can do that?”

“I can make every effort.”

His head bobbed, as he reached an internal decision. “You didn’t hear this from me—Clement LaRue.”

I had no idea who Clement was, which bothered me. The guy was dealing weapons right under my nose and managed to fly so far under the radar, I didn’t even know his name. What else was Clement getting away with?

“How much did he charge you?”

“No money exchanged hands.”

“Well, I doubt he gave it to you because of his generous nature. What did he get in return?”

Glenn licked his lips, stalling. “I traded my golf membership. There’s a wait list and he was tired of waiting. I’m not much of a golfer anyway. Tried it to be social, but it wasn’t for me.”

“Thank you, Glenn.”