Page 88 of The Devil's Deceit

She said the same thing before I left on my trip. Whatever secrets she’s hiding, they can’t be worse than the ones I carry around with me. I’m damn sure Grace’s actions didn’t result in the deaths of two people, whether intended or not. It’s on the tip of my tongue to confess everything, to have someone outside of my direct family know what I did and tell me I don’t have blood on my hands, even though I know I do. Yet something stops me, and that something is the choking fear that Grace will see the truth of who I am, and it willdisgusther.

“None of us are perfect,” I say quietly.

“No, I suppose we’re not.”

We fall into silence, both of us caught up in our thoughts. The bath water cools, and we get out. I swaddle her in the robe again and tie it loosely around her middle.

“Still got the pain?”

“A little. It’s much better, though.”

“Want me to get you something real to eat?”

Her lips quirk up on one side. “Pork pies, crisps, and mini sausage rolls aren’t real?”

“Replace real with nutritious. There’s no nutrients in crisps and pork pies.”

“I’m good. I do need a little private time, though.” She motions for me to leave.

“Whatever you need, I’m here to help. What is it?”

“I have to change my tampon. I’m pretty sure you don’t want to get involved in that.”

I wink. “Oh, I don’t know.”

She shoves at me. “Well, you’re not. Now, go.”

Grinning, I draw her close to me and kiss her forehead. “I’ll warm your side of the bed.”

She rolls her eyes, but I catch her smile as I shut the door behind me.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

GRACE

The second the door closes, I dash over and turn the lock. Not that I expect Christian to return, but I’m not taking any chances.

The tightness across my chest stops me from taking a full breath. I know what the problem is: guilt. Raw, visceral, dreadful. I don’t want to do this anymore. Christian may have made mistakes that led to Nexus’s collapse, but I cannot believe a man who shows me nothing but kindness, nothing butgoodness, purposely set out to murder my parents. I’ve known him now for more than three months, and not once in that time have I seen him behave poorly.

When people show you who they are, believe them.

Well, Christian is showing me he’s a good guy, and I believe that he is. Once I tell him who I really am and what I’ve done, he’ll hate me, but I hope that he will also tell me what happened to Mum and Dad. I’ll have to throw myself at his mercy and pray he does the right thing and puts me and my family out of our misery.

I dig out the burner from my box of tampons and switchit on. While it boots up, I change my tampon and wash my hands.

Then I blow our original plan to smithereens.

Me: I’m done, Arron. It’s over. I’m telling Christian everything.

He must’ve fallen over himself to reply because it arrives in three seconds flat.

Arron: Wait. Stop. What’s happening? Tell me everything.

Me: Nothing’s happening. I can’t do this anymore. I don’t think Christian murdered anyone.

Arron: But the email? The cover up. The shitty report by HSE. Three days ago you were certain of his guilt. What’s changed?

Me: I’ve changed. Other than that email, which could mean anything, I haven’t found a single shred of evidence to back up our theory.