Page 148 of Fame & Obsession

The first cut feels like a swarm of bees stinging me all at once.

It’s funny how you never forget certain things. Your first bike ride. Your first kiss.

The feel of a blade as it rips your flesh.

Thirty-Nine

Julian

“It’s Tanna LeMyre.”

Jaxon Hough’s words fill my head, and I can’t think of anything else the whole cab ride to Phoebe’s brownstone.

Tanna.

Our Tanna isthe reason for my hell.

Hough threatened me as I hung up the phone. He knew where I was going, and he knew it was pointless to try to stop me.

Tanna wasn’t in danger. Tannawasthe danger.

She set it up to make us all wander around on a wild goose chase while she got to Phoebe. Jaxon Hough can go to hell. Nothing can stop me from making sure Phoebe doesn’t pay for my stupidity.

Even if she leaves me, at least she’ll be alive to do it.

With the benefit of darkness shielding my movements, I cover my face with my hoodie and climb the fire escape outside Phoebe’s brownstone. Using the front door isn’t an option. If they’re inside, I need the element of surprise on my side.

Shy Tanna.

Innocent Tanna.

Young Tanna.

A killer.

Every lift of my foot brings another cry from inside her apartment, hastening my movements.

What a fucking idiot I’ve been. I hid everything to protect everyone, and Tanna infiltrated my world anyway.

As my foot touches the landing outside her bedroom, I pull on the window, half expecting it to be open as my heart slams against my ribcage.

Time isn’t on my side, so I do the only thing I can think of.

Taking off my jacket, I wrap it around my fist and drive it through the window. Shards of glass fly everywhere. Breaking the remaining pieces, I crawl through the tight space, tumbling onto her bedroom floor.

“Phoebe?”

She doesn’t answer, and a sickening thud in the adjoining room has me tearing through the hallway. Tripping over something on the floor, I bent down to pick it up.

Shit.

The stun gun she swore would always protect her in any situation had failed.

My stomach lurches as I slowly make my way into the living room. When I turn the corner, I find Phoebe on her knees, and my world stops.

Her head slumps, and she falls forward with a soft gurgle, her hands reaching out in front of her. My eyes trail down to where her palm is pressed against the red wood.

Red wood.