Page 115 of Rule the Night

Now I stood in front of the dining-room table, folding the note I’d written them. When I was done, I shoved it under the jewelry box they’d left me for my birthday.

Then I looked around the loft, wondering why I felt like my heart was breaking. I’d never wanted to be here. It had been part of the Hunt, the fulfillment of a contract.

Nothing more.

Except now I felt bereft, like I was saying goodbye to something beloved, a feeling I knew all too well.

You don’t have to do this, M.

You don’t understand.

Because I’m dead?

Because you never left Chris.

I loved him.

I know. And look where it got you.

Ouch. Jesus, Maeve. Twist the knife why don’t you? Pun intended.

Sorry.

It’s okay.

I could almost feel June by my side, knew what it would feel like to walk into her arms, cry on her shoulder.

I slung my tote over my shoulder and picked up the suitcase and the duffel I’d brought with me to the loft nine weeks earlier.

It was possible I was violating my contract with the Butchers, but that was a chance I was willing to take. I couldn’t stay here any longer. It wasn’t good for me, and I knew nothing good happened when you ignored your mind in favor of your heart.

I had to swallow around the lump in my throat as I headed for the stairs.

Had to force myself not to look back.

75

REMY

“Jesus fuck, I’m tired,”I said to Bram as he pulled up to the gate outside the lot. “And hungry.”

I didn’t know what was on today’s menu, but whatever it was would be amazing because one of the many things I’d learned about Maeve was that she was an incredible cook.

I was already looking forward to seeing her, something I hadn’t expected when she’d moved in. Sure, I loved her cooking, but I fuckingmissedher during the day, which was a totally new and weird feeling.

We pulled inside the lot and I spotted Poe getting off his bike.

“Yo,” I said, climbing out of the car.

“Everything go okay?” Bram asked him.

“They tried to short us,” Poe said. “I left a message for Hans.”

“Think it was intentional?” Bram asked.

“Hard to say,” Poe said. “I’ll know more after I talk to him.”

We hopped up onto the old loading dock and I punched the code into the keypad next to the door.