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My jaw flexes, and my heart breaks. “Of course I knew.”
Her face twists, and she slaps me hard. The impact is so strong, my head whips to the side.
I deserved that…
She tries to wiggle away from me, but my hands find her hips, steadying her. She tries to hit me again, so I grab her wrist and pull it down. “Stop hitting me.”
“You are an asshole,” she seethes, but relaxes in my arms. “You knew I was here this entire time, and you didn’t come to me. You left me to rot in that house.”
She’s shaking…her whole body is vibrating. My hand spans her torso, my fingers tracing the delicate curve of her ribs. “I couldn’t say anything to you, but I was watching over you. You have to trust me; I had a good reason.”
She releases a tiny cry, as if her entire world implodes. “I was so scared,” she breathes, and I rub my hand along her back, wishing I could keep her like this forever. How do I explain why I couldn’t let her know? That I had Marty watching over her. And how do I explain just how unsafe she is now that Talia knows about her?
I swallow hard and search her eyes. “I know. I never stopped watching you.”
She lets out a shaky breath, and we lean our heads down, so our foreheads are nearly touching, reminding me of the last time I had her in my arms. Her breathing finally stalls, and she pierces me with her white eyes.
“Why, Remy? Tell me why?”
My eyes dart to the front door where Talia just left, and back to Diana. I stand back and peer down at her, her eyes flickering with pain. I adjust my collar. “You should have left town when you had the chance.”
She lets out a deep sigh. “And go where? I’m dirt poor. Tired. Homeless. I was scared… Every single person I meet wants me dead. Including you…”
I wipe the tear running down her cheek. Every delicate feature looks like glass.
Her body, a few seconds ago so rigid, crumbles into me. She’s so wild and strong, feral. But she’s precious.
“I don’t want to kill you, little lamb,” I whisper. “That’s the problem.”
Not me. Fucking hell, not me. I sacrificed so much for her that night. I betrayed Talia…
She blinks and stares at me. Her eyes are unreadable.
“Tommy does,” she breathes. “I watched him that night. He was the one with the shovel. You did some sort of ceremony. He was…he was—” She can’t say it. “Anointed into your little club.”
I can’t speak for Tommy right now. He can explain the lump sum of money he got when he joined the Order, laying claim to the murder of Diana when he had nothing to do with it. He can also explain to Didi why his dick has been inside my sister ever since.
“Tommy is a mess,” I inform her.
She scoffs. “That’s an understatement.”
I pause for a split second. “He loves you, though. You must know that. He fell in love with you, even if he didn’t act right.” Her eyes drift up to mine in confusion. So much to explain, all dark and wicked.
I haven’t been able to talk to Tommy about Diana. He’s locked himself in his room ever since we saw her and had a massive fight with the wall. He’s caught up in his feelings and pouting. I also haven’t spoken to Talia, and now I’m doubting if that was the right choice, because Talia found her, anyway.
Father Malcolm’s body bore Talia’s marks. The body was nearly identical to Daniel’s, with an eerily similar scene.
Blood and torn flesh.
I was so convinced it was her, and it wasn’t until I saw Diana with my own eyes that I realized the truth—and I haven’t let her out of my sight since.
Those two have identical souls.
I wasn’t ready for them to meet, and I’m still not ready. This town will never be the same.
Diana’s breath is even now, so I back off, giving her some space. She takes a sip of the water she’s clutching, half of which spilled over my arm.
“Did that fucking priest touch you?” The same way he touched my sister.
