Page 94

Arrow’s eye twitched. “I think he’s Ghost.”

My entire body tensed. “What? That’s impossible.” I inhaled a deep breath. “He’s dead.”

“How do you know for sure? James Chin also had a clown tattoo on his middle finger before he covered it with a new skull tattoo.”

“Calvin said the body was tossed into the sea.” I glanced at James’s face again. “He doesn’t look like Ghost.”

“Advancement in plastic surgery can do wonders to a person’s features.”

The acid had gotten onto his face the day he’d attacked me and my mom.

Fear twisted in my stomach at the possibility that he was still alive. Had Calvin seen Ghost’s dead body? Or had someone also lied to him?

“We have to ask Calvin.”

“There’s a lot to do when this storm settles.” He took my hand in his.

I could tell he wanted to comfort me because of this sudden news. It had rocked me like an earthquake. All the emotions I’d tucked away on my emotional shelf collapsed. If Ghost were still alive, there was no doubt he’d be after me.

“I debated telling you this later, but I think it’s better for you to know now.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“You mentioned that Ghost believed your mom had a key to something? Did you ever find out what that was?”

“No. Grandpa thinks his enemy gave Ghost false information, trying to stir up trouble within The Taipans. Mom left The Triad when she married, so she wasn’t involved with their business.”

“Does your father know anything?”

“I asked him once. He said Mom never mentioned anything to him.” I blew out a breath. “I searched through her things, but came up with nothing. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to search once more.”

“It’s a good idea.”

“Do you want to come with me? A pair of fresh eyes might help me see something I missed. I have my mom’s stuff at my place in California.”

“I’d love to join you.”

A memory surfaced, and I gasped. “I saw a man with a clown mask on the day of the grand reopening of Ormon’s Restaurant. You were there with Sylvia.”

“The fucker has been watching you.” A muscle twitched in his jaw, and his eyes flashed with a deadly calm. His grim expression made me wonder what he would do to Ghost once he found him. “I want you and Kaylee to move in with me.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s safer here.” A crease formed between his brows. “I have three security systems. One of them isn’t sold to the public. I got it from a friend in the military.”

“Is that why your house is so isolated compared to the others?” I rubbed the crease gently with my fingers.

The tension in his face softened. “Yes.”

I swallowed, unsure of what to do. My relationship with him had just started, and I didn’t want to become a burden. It was too soon to move in, even though this was a rare situation.

“It is not an inconvenience for me.”

“How do you know what I’m thinking?”

“I’ve wanted you for a long time, Tulip. Iknowyour expressions.” He tugged at my hair. “Besides, it’s a logical thought process of cause and effect—a natural response to my request.”

“Sounds more like a demand to me.”