Page 38 of Behind the Shadows

“I don’t understand.” His intense gaze never left mine.

Dad’s voice tugged at me like a thread unraveling my skin. But it couldn’t reach the part of me that was buried six feet under.

“I don’t understand,” he said again, slower this time. “Why would Draco come back after all these years?”

My body went cold. Not just fear. Recognition.

“I think …” I struggled to speak, the words sitting on the tip of my tongue. I tried again. “He’s here because of me.”

Dad’s spine went rigid. “What does that mean?”

I swallowed back bile.

I saw it—That night. That room. The flicker of firelight against metal. The sound of something wet hitting the floor. The way my hands wouldn’t stop shaking afterward. The silence. The screaming. The silence again.

But the memory never came clean. It was a smear. A blur. A locked door in my mind that leaked blood under the frame.

“I got out,” I whispered. “And I wasn’t supposed to.”

Dad’s features blurred on the screen.

“I don’t know why he waited. I don’t know why he’s here now. But if he’s back … it’s not for forgiveness.”

My fingernails dug into my palms until the skin broke.

“I think he wants to finish what they started.”

Draco knew the truth?—

What I did to escape.

16

KIP

The moment I slammed the car door shut and locked myself inside, I jammed the key into the ignition and revved the engine to life. Tires screeched as I tore out of Mother's driveway, leaving a haze of burning rubber in my wake. Within seconds, my fingers flew over the phone, urgently dialing Dope, who seamlessly connected me with Death.

“What’s happening?” he growled.

“Yeah, dude, you never ask for a three-way convo.” The sound of Dope sucking on a joint filled the car speakers.

“I can’t even talk about this over the phone. We need to meet.”

“Must be some serious shit, then.” Death released a heavy sigh. “How about the house in the Ozarks?”

Death had secretly purchased properties nationwide under a shell corporation, and one of them was nestled deep in the heart of hillbilly country. The Ozarks had a notorious reputation for shady characters, which meant it offered a perfect refuge—isolated, rugged, and desolate. Its remoteness was a prime location for concealing illegal activities that demanded absolute secrecy.

“I’ll swing by and get Dope. It’s almost six here,” I said.

“The plane is in Portland and ready to use. I chose to drive this trip, and I’m close enough to be there in a few hours.”

My brow rose. “Hunting for deer?” The corner of my mouth curved in a smile.

“A man gets hungry.” Death’s chuckle filled the line.

“Dope, I’m on my way. I’ll be there in thirty. Be ready.” I didn’t wait for them to say goodbye; I just disconnected the call. I wanted to swing by Holland’s place before I grabbed Dope and headed to the airport.

For some reason, I didn’t want to tip her off that I was stopping by. Since I’d canceled on her and was now headed out of town, I wanted to make sure Cooper or Draco hadn’t paid her an unexpected visit before I left.