Page 335 of Blackwood

Scar on his left forearm.

The one he never talked about.

I can’t breathe. I take a step back.

“Dad… that’s not—”

“You really shouldn’t have seen that, Sugar Bear.”

My spine locks. “Jac—”

BANG.

The shot rings out like thunder. Roman stumbles. Blood blooms across his chest like a dark rose. He collapses onto the desk, eyes wide, lips parting.

“Dad!”

I hear the click of a gun and then the voice that lives in my nightmares.

“Hello Izzy, my little pet.”