Page 32 of Perfect Order

Instead of feeling triumph at her honesty, I feel more of the same hollow ache I’ve endured since assigning myself this self-imposed mission. She goes on, “I do know I’d ask myself often if this is what they would want for me.”

“I am. I do.”

“And what is she saying?”

That’s when my lips quirk. “That you should be glad I’m the one standing by your side. If it was the other way around, she’d likely have burned the city to the ground before apologizing for the damage. In case you didn’t know, she was a bit impulsive.”

Carys barks out a laugh. “Despite what you kept out of the spotlight about her, I am aware of Kylie’sleap before she looksmodus operandi. Now I know why she felt so comfortable doing just that.”

My fist clenches at my side. “I just wish she had another lifetime to keep taking those chances.”

Carys’s hand clasps my shoulder. “Me too.”

We stand there for long moments silent, both of us lost in memories. “Do you want to call Kris from here?”

“What do you think he’s going to say?”

“This is completely new territory to me, Leanne. If I know him as well as I do? He’s going to ease you back in—book you some practice space, open up discussions about any qualms you might have about playing publicly.”

I nod. Carys moves behind her desk. It’s time to dive in headfirst and submerge myself in my sister’s life. “When we’re done, I need to ask you about a list.”

“What kind of list?” She frowns as her hand hovers over a button over her phone.

“A list of men. A hit list of sorts.” Quickly, I explain what I found.

Carys’s eyebrows wing upward. “Well, here’s something else that’s interesting. Snowy-T’s having a party tonight. Angie just saw it tagged on his social media.”

I feel my heart rate thud. “Really? How hard would it be for me to get invited?”

Carys gives me a daft look. “Just show up. You’re now Erzulie.” Just as the blood begins pumping in my veins, she warns, “But I’d check with Beckett. He’s been to one and says they’re nothing to mess with.”

I scoff. “Seriously?” I whip out my phone and pull up my sister’s last text to the infamous Beckett Miller. Carelessly, I type,Snowy-Ts tonight. You in?

His reply is immediate.NO! Ky, you are NOT going to that ass wipes.

Why not?

We’ve talked about this. He’s a moral piece of shit and you’re in a bad way.

My irritation flares. It’s not like the megastar has checked in with me on a daily basis. We’re not besties or something.I think I know what I am or am not right now.

Promise me you won’t go.

I don’t bother to reply. Immediately, my phone rings. And his face appears on my screen. I press Speaker before answering coolly, “Yes?”

“I swear it, Ky. Do not go to that asshole’s,” Beckett Miller demands.

I don’t respond. My eyes meet Carys’s, who is holding her tongue as well as her breath. “It’s my life,” I finally declare.

“You infuriating woman. You have no idea of the shit that goes on…I’m warning you, Ky. It’s the worst mistake of your life.”

The cold seeps through me and makes my tone pure ice. “No, the worst mistake of my life was not being at the Plaza on time.”

“Shit. Ky…” Apology laces his voice.

I disconnect the call before he can say any more. I glare down at the phone for just a moment before I focus my attention back on Carys. “Is there anything else?”

“Leanne, if Beckett’s that concerned, there might be reason to be,” she starts off.