Page 63 of The Golden Hour

So we’re going for the head.

I can’t spare my sisters this. Any way I slice it, their lives will be forever altered. I can only hope someday they’ll understand why I had to do this.

I’m clear now. I finally understand why I came back. Not for something as petty as revenge, or proving to Vivian I’m better or stronger than her, or a vague need to save my sisters from their fates, but for the poor souls resting in unmarked graves thanks to my family. And for the simple reason that doing what’s right isn’t always easy, but at the end of the day, our choices define who we are.

And we are not them.

34

Finn drops me off around noon. As soon as the front door closes behind me, a scathing voice asks, “Where the fuck have you been?”

I was ready for it—Lizzie sent me a text this morning telling me Uncle Franco stopped by and lost his shit when he realized I wasn’t home.

“Hello to you, too.” I kick off my shoes in the foyer and brush past him.

He grabs my arm, halting me. “You know the rules, Calli. What the hell were you thinking? Do you know how much trouble you’re in when Vivian finds out?”

I meet his beady gaze. “I’m not fifteen anymore. You can take your rules and choke on them.”

Lord, it feels good to stop pretending. Like a weight has been lifted. Still, I’m surprised by the vehemence that drips from the words. Until this moment, I didn’t truly know I had it in me to fight back.

Franco releases me, more from shock than an awareness of how hard his grip was. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Where were you?”

“None of your damn business,” I say with a smile, then continue toward the kitchen.

Lizzie sits at the kitchen table, a magazine spread before her and headphones in. I give her a wink, then grab an apple from the basket on the island and take a satisfyingly loud bite.

Franco appears in the doorway, flushed and furious. He’s so focused on me, he doesn’t notice Lizzie.

“How dare you walk away from me like that! You’d better explain yourself right now.”

“No, thanks.”

“You snotty bitch,” he snarls. “I’ve never trusted you, Little Bear. Didn’t trust you back then, and definitely not now. You’re up to no good, and this proves it.”

I finish chewing. “An astronomy lesson for you, Uncle—I’m not named after the little bear, as you’ve so charmingly and demeaningly called me all my life. Callisto is the Great Bear. Ursa Major. So back the fuck off, because I’m not in the mood to play nice.”

His neck flushes dark red. “Wait until Vivian hears about this.”

“Vivian, Vivian, Vivian,” I sing. “Do you have a mind of your own, or are you just a lap dog? I’m thinking lap dog. You’re certainly small enough.”

Okay, maybe that was too far, but damned if it doesn’t feel good to see him struggle for control.

“You’re done,” he hisses.

I examine my half-eaten apple. “Not yet, but you are.” I meet his livid gaze. “Get out.”

He storms off, cursing under his breath. A few moments later, the front door slams.

“That was awesome and scary,” Lizzie says in a hushed voice. “What just happened?”

The first step.

“I’m just tired of dealing with this shit. I’m a grown woman and spent the night at my boyfriend’s house. It’s not like I was robbing a bank.”

Lizzie whistles. “Man, I wish I had your balls.”

I toss my apple core into the trash and sit beside her. “And if you did? What would you do?”

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