Page 78

I pick up a file that has a name and date on the front and open it.

It is filled with information. Name, address, work information, other known aliases, height, weight —everything you could think of. There are also several photos inside that match the description. I flip to the last page and see an execution date. It was signed yesterday. He and Lucien must have killed these men yesterday. I close the file, feeling a bit uneasy.

There is one on the desk that looks different from the others. The front of the envelope reads:

Option 2

My hands are clammy as I hold the envelope. The other envelopes all had a name and date; this one has nothing. The front is bare, as if choices were made.

I open the file, and tears spring to my eyes immediately as my throat constricts. I quickly slam the envelope shut, unable to look through the file. Why does he have this?

I stumble out of the office, carrying the file, and I slam it down on the island. I sit on the bar stool, trying to catch my breath before I look through the file. My stomach turns as I open the file once more.

I quickly flip the picture of her over, unable to look at her innocent face. There is a list. Details about her. Nothing more. It makes me sick. Was he trying to figure out who killed her, or did he do it? Did Dante kill my best friend’s sister? If he did— I genuinely don’t know the man I love. How could I love a man who killed an innocent woman?You can’t. He killed her.

I pull out my phone with shaky hands and call Astra.

No answer.

I call again, and again.

Nothing.

My chin trembles as I pace the floor. I need to get out. I have to leave this fucking house. He killed her. He acted like it didn’t matter— but it fucking does. It changes everything.

I throw the file in the passenger seat and start driving. I don’t give a fuck if Astra answers me or not. She’s the only person I can talk to about this right now.

31

Evelyn

I storm inside Astra’s house and head to her room. I open the door quickly, but the room is vacant. Her bed isn’t made, and she left her blinds open. It looks like she just left without a word.

I go into her father’s office and poke my head in. He greets me with a smile.

“Hey, is Astra here?”

He gives me a confused expression.

“She took off about four hours ago. Said she had plans with you.”

His eyebrows pinch together. My heart sinks as I open my messages, making sure I haven’t overlooked any.

Nothing.

“I…. I haven’t talked to her today.”

He slams his hands down on his desk, sending a deafening slap through the air.

“SHIT!”

He storms past me, and I follow quickly behind him.

“W-where are you going?”

“I’m going to look for my fucking daughter.”

He grabs his keys off the hook, stopping to look at me one more time.