Page 42 of Dreadful

IT’S JUST A DOOR

Sever

The man who killed the driver is gone, and nowIhave to deal with it. Frustration burns the back of my neck. I need to take thebastardodown, but how do you catch a killer when all you have for clues is a petrified body and a shadow?

Although the driver seemed genuinely shocked to see the attacker, they obviously knew each other. What information did the man want, and how long was he lying in wait to get it out of Alfonso? Did he hear me with Percy? Does he have something on me now, too? Maybe Tallie saw something—

Panic shocks through me.

Is Tallie okay?

I bite back the curses that sit on my lips as I type out a message to Raze.

Got another clean-up, but I have to go.

Raze

E che cazzo, Sever?

What the fuck, Sever?Poor guy is shocked, and he hasn’t even seen Percy yet.

Alfonso was attacked.

Raze

What the fuck?!

I’ll explain later. I have to go.

What about your mom?

Merda.

I glance around, but whoever just left the afterparty must’ve parked elsewhere. My suit might pass as different shades of crimson and black underneath the cloak of darkness, but inside it’ll be obvious that the stains are blood. Now there’s a dead body out here in the open, only hidden because it’s in the corner of the parking garage behind the Rolls-Royce. There’s no way I can go inside and leave it behind. For once, I’m actually thankful that my mother demands private VIP parking where the theater keeps its spare van and trucks.

I type back quickly.

I’ll tell her the truth later. Got to go, now. Rolls-Royce key will be above the tire.

Without waiting for anyone to accidentally find me and the body, I quickly shove Alfonso into the trunk. Shards of glass-like pain pierce from my ankle to my knee, and I grimace, but otherwise it’s easy muscle-memory to plop the body inside.

When I’m finished, I lock it all up and leave the key on the driver’s side rear tire before texting my mother.

Something came up. I have to go.

Gertrude

Okay, dear, have fun! The girls and I are just chatting, so take your time. If we want to go out on the town, I’ll ask the driver to take us.

I wince.

Text Raze. He’ll take you wherever you go. Explain later.

Gertrude

Of course. Ciao.

I swipe out of our messages and hop back into the ones with my cousin.