Page 149 of Unholy Masks

“But—”

I stepped closer to Trish, careful not to alert her.

“Kurt, this must be done.”

“She’s not Robert Miller.” Kurt shook his head.

I lifted my hand and subtly placed the flower on Trish’s braid.

Now all I could do was hope it stayed there long enough for Yara to see it.

After securing my hands and legs with a heavy chain, Trish left me shackled beside Irene. She took Kurt with her, clearly unwilling to leave him alone with us after his recent outburst.

Kurt looked both sad and angry as Trish led him away. I had a feeling this would be the last time we saw him. Whatever use Trish had for him, it seemed he had finally outlived it. She no longer wanted his help, and after his outburst, she had little reason to keep him around.

He’d be dead before she came back!

The door locked behind us, leaving Irene and me alone.

“I want to smack you in the face,” Irene grumbled. “Yara wouldn’t survive losing both of us.’

“She won’t lose us, and she certainly won’t lose to Trish.”

“How?”

“She already has suspicions about Trish. She won’t stop now, and we won’t die here.”

I hoped we wouldn’t.

“But this bitch is good.’

“Yara’s better.’

“You’re right. Yara is better.” She closed her eyes. “Maybe we’ll make it out alive. But if we don’t… I’m so glad I met you and Enzo. Yara loves you so much.”

“We’ll make it out alive, and I’m glad I met you, too.” I smiled. “And I love her even more.”

37

CREPE MYRTLES AND STAGS

YARA

Ryden didn’t come back from the supermarket. I could already imagine what had happened. With a sinking stomach, I called Enzo.

When Enzo came, we drove to Ryden’s usual grocery store.

His car sat abandoned in the parking lot, the trunk gaping open. Grocery bags were piled haphazardly inside, as if he’d been interrupted in the middle of loading them. His cellphone rested on top of one of the plastic bags, its screen shattered.

“He probably went with her willingly,” I said.

He knew she’d lead him to Irene, and then maybe he could find a way to save her. A part of me was grateful for that, but another part… hated that he was putting himself in danger.

“For Irene,” Enzo said.

“Let’s go in and find out more.”

We walked inside the store. I greeted the cashier, asked her about Ryden. He was a regular, and everybody knew who he was. Fortunately, she had seen me with him a few times and was forthcoming with the answers.