As soon as I see my sister’s handwriting, my heart breaks all over again. How many times can that happen before it shatters irreparably, before I can’t put the pieces together anymore? A person can only use so much tape and glue, so many staples and nails, to cobble the shards of their damaged heart into something recognizable.
I hand the letter back to Maxx and close my eyes.
“You read it,” I instruct him. “Just in case.”
He takes it carefully from my fingers as I lean back against the wall and listen.
“Baby Sister,” X begins, pausing to clear his throat.
That’s how it starts. I almost lose it right then, reaching up to dash tears from my eyes.
“I can’t even pretend to understand what you’re going through. The day that woman caught us at the coffee shop was one of the worst for me because I knew she’d try to keep us apart. That’s what I fear the most, that this physical distance between us will turn into emotional distance.
“When I gave you the phone, I hoped we’d be able to keep in touch despite that woman’s influence.”
I smile a little because Maxine has always referred to Tess as ‘that woman’. She doesn’t seem to have any intention of changing that now. No matter how many times she has to write it or say it or type it.
“I don’t know what she’s done to scare you the way she has, but I will never give up on you. Never. I know you love me just as much as I love you. Kota, you will be my baby sister even when we’re old and gray. I am here for you, no matter what. Whatever happened, whatever she’s done, whatever you’ve done, it doesn’t change the way I feel about you.
“Talk to me, please. I miss you and love you fierce.
“Kisses and hugs from your Big Sister, Maxie.”
A choked sound escapes me, and I open my eyes, shoving up to my feet and throwing the closet door open.
Just in time apparently.
I happen to glance out the window at the same moment that a black limo rumbles past the gate.
Another limo.
Just like the white one that we took to the country club that day. I’ve since learned that it was Laverne’s limo. Parrish’s cranky old grandma can shove that limo right up her ass. She hasn’t even bothered to stop by since her grandson went missing, but I have heard her screaming over the phone at Tess and Paul both on occasion. She’s in Medina currently, however. I do know that.
“He’s here,” X says, moving up beside me. “Are you sure about this?”
“If I don’t go, Parrish dies,” I tell him, glancing back and meeting his beautiful eyes. I have no idea what’s going to happen between us—if anything at all. But I can’t think about that right now. “Wish me luck.”
I grab both of my phones from Parrish’s desk and head downstairs just in time to see Delphine opening the front door.
Justin Prior waits on the other side, charming smile already in place.
“Hello, princess,” he says, and then off we go.
To lunch with a deranged serial killer who murders teenagers.
Lucky me.
“How are you doing today, sweetheart?” Justin asks, settling into his seat like a man very accustomed to grotesque wealth. Raúl prepares him a glass of champagne, offering me up a glass as well. I just stare at it. But what’s a little underage drinking compared to everything else I’ve fucking done?
I take it, and Justin seems pleased, his smile widening in an almost disturbing sort of way.
Raúl retreats, closing the door and joining the driver in the front seat.
The dark glass between us and them keeps our conversation private; I’m sure that’s not by accident.
I down the entire glass of champagne in one go, switching it out for the bottle. I yank it from the ice bucket by the neck, remembering that fateful day in the white limo with Parrish, when I dry heaved and nearly threw up into an empty bucket very similar to this.
That was lifetimes ago, wasn’t it?
I’ve done so many things I never thought I’d do.
That, and I’ve fallen in love. More than once? I have no idea. Actually, I do, but it’s sort of a heavy subject and I don’t have the headspace for it, not when I’m sitting kitty-corner to a guy who kills people.
“How about you tell me how Parrish is doing and then I’ll answer your question?” I retort, downing some of the champagne and letting it fizz across my tongue. Justin’s still smiling at me, his legs crossed, revealing black socks above his dark brown shoes. He’s got on a blue suit, the jacket unbuttoned, the top few buttons on his dress shirt also undone. There’s an expensive watch on one wrist, but really, it’s his bright blue eyes that command my attention.
