An Inner Darkness Book 5 Bay City paranormal

that.”
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Dean’s eyebrows shot up. “Seriously? Uh, we are talking about Janine here, right?
    The Wicked Bitch of the South? The woman who has insulted you and cut you down at every possible opportunity ever since she found out about you and Bo?”

    “I know, I know. It’s just that lately, sometimes, it seemed like she was trying to get along. I liked that, and not just for Bo’s sake. I’m so fucking tired of fighting with her.
    I’m tired of always feeling like I’m walking on broken glass when she’s around.” Sam ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “This is the worst possible time for us to be at each other’s throats. If Janine and I could get along, even a little bit, maybe she’d be more willing to let Adrian spend more time with Bo and me.” Where he’s safe.
    “Yeah, maybe. But she was pretty shitty to Bo even before she knew about the two of you, so I’m thinking she wouldn’t change her mind about y’all keeping the boys more often anyway.”

    Sam had to admit Dean was probably right. He scowled, frustrated. He hated feeling so powerless.

    Bo’s office door swung open. Janine marched through, mouth tight and gaze downcast. She shot a swift glance at Sam as she yanked open the outside door and left the building. Sam frowned, wondering if he’d imagined the flash of remorse in her eyes.
    Dean caught Sam’s eye. He shook his head. He didn’t any more know what Janine had said than Dean did.
Bo shuffled out of his office, walked around Danny’s desk and plopped into her chair. He stared into space, chewing on one thumbnail. Concerned by the stunned look on Bo’s face, Sam rolled his chair closer. “Bo? What happened?”
    Bo blinked and focused on Sam’s face. “She’s bringing the boys over early for their weekend with us. Wednesday, after school. And she wants them to stay with us Sunday night too. We’re supposed to bring them back to her place Monday evening.” Relief and puzzlement warred for space in Sam’s mind. Puzzlement won. “That’s great, but why?”
    “Adrian. Apparently he’s been on her case to let him live with us.” 132
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    Sam’s pulse faltered. He wanted Adrian to be safe, but he wasn’t sure he was ready to have the boy around all the time. Adrian wasn’t the easiest child in the world to deal with, and the tension between them hadn’t abated entirely, even thoughAdrian had thawed a great deal toward Sam in the past few weeks.
    “Don’t tell me he actually wore her down,” Dean chimed in, leaning forward in his chair.
    “Not exactly. But she’s going out of town again, for several days this time, and decided it would be easier for everyone if she let the boys stay with us while she’s gone.” Bo let out a harsh laugh. “Apparently Adrian’s been having daily hysterics, begging her to let him come live with us. He hasn’t been sleeping, and he’s been neglecting his schoolwork.”
    “Hm.” Dean rubbed the back of his neck, his expression thoughtful. “Sounds like she wants to do what’s best for Adrian and is just hiding behind the going-out-of-town excuse.”
    “That could be,” Bo agreed. “As much as she irritates me, and as many hateful things as she’s said to Sam and me, she’s always been a good mother to the boys.” Sam took Bo’s hand in his. “He didn’t tell her why he wants to live with us, did he?” Bo shook his head. “No, thank God. I don’t think she would’ve given in even this far if he had.”
    “Maybe this means she’s finally getting used to the idea of you and Sam being together,” Dean speculated.

    “Maybe.” Sam turned Bo’s hand over and traced his lifeline with one finger. “It seems unlikely, though, considering what she said before.” Bo frowned. “What do you mean?”
    Sam and Dean glanced at each other. “She walked into the office right when I was giving Dean a hug,” Sam explained. “She kind of got the wrong idea.” A tangle of emotions—hurt, jealousy, anger—flashed through Bo’s eyes and was gone before Sam could decide what it meant. One dark brow arched in amusement.
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    “Maybe she really is evolving. She didn’t say a thing to me, and I know she wouldn’t normally pass up the opportunity to put you down.” Guilt pricked Sam’s conscience. He knew damn well why Janine hadn’t said anything—fear of retribution in kind. Did the fact