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Charlotte

T hrough watery eyes, I drive straight to Lily’s house.

She opens the door, and I throw myself at her.

“Damn. Did you miss me that much?”

I let her go and then she gets a good look at my face. Her happy expression drops. “What happened, Charly?”

“I just… I don't understand. He ended things! He told me he’s in love with me last night, even told me his real name and then he fucking ended things!” Fuck, I hate myself for turning into a sobbing mess.

“Oh, Charly. I’m so sorry. Did he explain himself at least?” She leads me to sit on the couch.

“Not good enough. Not any that I accept. He’s being a coward. He said he’s afraid to lose me so he’s willingly setting me free before I’m taken from him. It’s ridiculous. Apparently, I’m his weakness. I’m not worth it, Lil.” My voice cracks at the end.

Lily frowns. “Charly, babe, you’re so freakin’ worth it. I don't want to say I necessarily understand where he’s coming from but…. love can be scary. You have to give up control of your heart. He probably just freaked out. He’ll come around.”

“I don't think so, Lil. He’s not exactly the type to allow himself to be vulnerable.”

“What do you call what he’s been doing this whole time with you? Letting you live with him in his personal home, having little privacy, showing his face. If that’s not vulnerability, I’m not sure what is. He even made you your own paint studio. He’s been in love with you for a while, Charly. Something must have freaked him out. Even though I’ve never met the guy, I know there’s no way he’s letting you go.”

“I don’t know. My heart hurts.”

She leans in and pulls me into a hug. “Want me to beat his ass?”

I chuckle in the crook of her neck.

Suddenly, the door smashes open and three men storm in. We both stand from the couch, and I push Lily behind. I left the house in such a hurry, I didn't grab any of my stuff, my knife.

Shit.

I quickly look around for something to use as a weapon, but the only things within reach are couch pillows and a wicker tray with a candle and remote on the coffee table.

Double shit.

One man reaches out to grab me, and I shove his arm away and punch him in the gut. He throws a fist at me, and I dodge the first but as the second comes flying at my face, Lily’s scream distracts me as another man grabs her from behind me. The fist collides with my cheekbone and I stumble back. I try to move toward Lily to where she’s struggling with the other man, kicking and clawing at him, but the back of my hair is yanked and I fall on my ass. Twisting, I kick my foot up in the guy’s balls. He instantly releases my hair and groans.

“Fucking bitch!”

“Enough of this,” the third man says. He strolls over to Lily, knife in hand and sinks it into her stomach as she’s being held by the second guy.

“No!” I bellow and scramble to my feet, lunging toward them. The knife wielding man yanks the knife out of Lily and turns toward me, punching me straight in the face. The hit nearly sends me unconscious and probably should have broken my nose. I drop the same time as Lily does and both of us lie on the floor, reaching out for each other. She clutches her stomach as thick blood flows through her fingers.

I feel a sudden prick in my neck and fall even weaker, vision closing in.

No.

“Charly,” Lily manages to mumble out as I’m picked up and carried away.

“Leave her. She’ll be dead soon anyway.”

The last thing I see is my best friend bleeding out on her living room floor in her baby blue silk pajama set.

Reaper

As I walk up to Lily’s door, I find it slightly ajar and instantly know something isn’t right. I didn't bother donning my mask but I never leave the house without a weapon. I pull out a dagger and push open the door.

The room is cast in darkness but when I flip the lights, my attention instantly snaps to the woman with curly dark blond hair, lying in a pool of blood .

Lily.

I rush to her and feel for a pulse. It’s barely there. She’s unconscious but still alive.

“Lily. Hey, stay with me. You're gonna be all right.” I pull out my burner phone and dial 911, requesting an ambulance. “Listen, Charlotte needs you okay. She needs her best friend. You fight this. Hang in there, Lily, help is coming.”

When I hear sirens I make my way back to my car and drive off.

Someone took my fucking girl! I take out my main phone and pull up the tracking app. I hope Charlotte is wearing that black bra I put a tracking device in.

Her destination pops up on the screen, and I quickly look into the location through another app. She’s at the home of Fredrick Doyle. Jason’s fucking father.

Fuck.

There’s no way he knows she killed him. This is because of me. He wants me. She was taken to get to me . Fuck! I should have seen this coming.

I’m going to kill that bastard.

I arrive at my house to load up on gear. Fredrick expects me to come. Which means he won't be alone. They’ll be ready, but so will I.

I slip on a tight black long sleeve shirt, tactical pants with my black boots and a Kevlar vest. I fill the pockets of my handmade vest with daggers, throwing knives and my handheld scythe in a strap on my back. Then, pull out my whips from the cabinet, and lastly, I slip on my bone mask.

I’m coming, little savage.