Page 73 of Death Kiss

‘You bloody well better. If I’m keeping this a secret for you, I need to know the truth.’ There’s no doubt in me that I will keep their secret. I love them both. But I need the full truth.

‘He won’t,’ Liam says, nodding at Freddie.

Freddie stays silent, and I look at him, trying to figure out what he thinks of this. He has no loyalty to Kat and Liam. With how new we are, I don’t know if he has any loyalty to me yet either.

‘I saw the bodies. It’s hard for me to ignore how viciously you killed them, but I also saw the photos. And one of the children. I’ll never forget it as long as I live. And I’ve seen firsthand how Ashworth is involved, and how he’s guiding the narrative to his benefit. If it’s between these fuckers dying and you guys being locked up, I guess I’m team vigilante.’ Freddie rubs his face and leans back in his chair, his shoulders dropping like he can’t believe he’s agreeing to keep this a secret. ‘I want to see Ashworth pay, but not like this.’

‘He’s the last name on our list,’ Kat says. ‘One to go, and then we’re out. These are the guys who hurt Liam and Sam, and lord knows how many others. He doesn’t deserve to live.’

‘Taking him out will cost you your freedom,’ Freddie sighs. ‘He knows these men. And he knows the links between them. There will be no catching him unsuspecting. And the longer he’s involved, the more likely they are to catch you both.’

Freddie loops an arm around me as I try to make sense of everything. Try to merge these two people I love as cold-blooded killers. It doesn’t compute.

‘This is crazy,’ I whisper.

Kat comes over, kneeling in front of me and taking my hands. Those blue eyes are wet and wide as she looks up at me. ‘I hated lying to you; I just wanted to protect you. I’m so sorry.’

I want to tell her I forgive her, but I can’t. There’s still a huge, angry stone in my stomach.

But if it’s the end, maybe we can move past it. Eventually.

THIRTY-FOUR

LIAM

Rain drizzles down the car windows as we trundle along, looking for a space to park. It’s been three days since Ellie and Freddie confronted us with that damned CCTV picture, and we’ve not heard a peep since. We keep waiting for the police to come crashing down our door, knowing that the secret is too big a burden to expect others to carry for us.

I can only hope that the story we gave Freddie is big enough to keep him onside, and that he’s fallen hard enough for Ellie to stay there. Men have committed greater sins for a woman they want.

By the time we get to the pub, we’re soaked. It’s busier than usual, with people ducking in to avoid the rain shower that’s now bucketing down. People nurse pints, their hair plastered to their faces and their dripping coats leaving puddles on the floor.

Freddie’s at the bar, writing in his notepad while Ellie works behind the bar.

‘Hey,’ Kat says, taking a stool along from Freddie while I sit next to her.

Ellie smiles. ‘Be with you in a second.’

Freddie gives an awkward nod while I shrug off my coat before helping Kat remove hers.

The TV on the wall is muted; some show about buying houses is on.

For the first time in forever, I don’t get a twinge of jealousy seeing it. We have a home. A place that’s all ours. Within a week or two, Kat’s parents will be out, and Ashworth will be rotting in concrete, and our future begins.

‘Sorry guys,’ Ellie says, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. Her face is a little thinner than usual, dark circles hiding beneath makeup. Or trying to. She looks like she’s slept as fitfully as we have. ‘What can I get you?’

Freddie, however, looks unfazed entirely.

‘My best friend back?’ Kat whispers.

Ellie gives a sad smile. ‘I’m working on it. Things are just a lot right now.’

Kat nods, and I slip an arm around her waist, dragging her stool a little closer to me. It kills me that she’s hurting. This needs to end.

‘I’ll have a large vodka and coke,’ Kat sighs.

‘Just the coke for me,’ I add.

‘Busy at work? Kat asks Freddie, who tucks his notepad away and faces us.