Page 133 of Pretty Little Threats

I don’t have to be anymore, though. I may not be able togo back in time and keep that number from my dad, but I can give Dare everything he needs to take Joseph down. With this information and what Orion found, there’s plenty of evidence to start a case.

Grabbing my phone from the bedside table, I send a text while I gather the papers.

ROSE

Can you send me everything you have?

ORION

What email?

I send him the new email I created yesterday. One that is outside of my dad’s reach.

Sent. Do you want to tell me what you’re up to?

I will later. Maybe we can meet at Cassia’s tonight?

Deal.

Be careful.

I will be.

Grabbing a thumb drive, I clear the contents and power on my laptop to transfer the files Orion sent. This, in combination with what my mom saved for me, is enough to bring a case against my dad.

I only hope Dare willhear me out.

He’s not home. Or, at least, he’s not answering the door. I hesitate for all of three seconds before pressing my thumb to the lock. I breathe out and reach for the knob, but someone grabs my arm and yanks me back.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Remy snaps.

Fear lances through my heart. The threat he issued weeks ago still rattles around inside my head. “Lovely to see you too.” There are too many people out and about for him to do anything right now.

Remy glances around and drops his hold when he notices a woman watching us. “Dare’s not home, and you shouldn’t be here.”

Smiling at the pedestrian, I breathe out and focus on Remy. “I’m here to drop something off.” I tip my head toward the bag I’m carrying. “Is that a crime?”

Remy’s eyes narrow. “Depends on what it is.”

“I won’t go any farther than the foyer.” Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, I look down. “Please, Remy. I—” My voice catches, and I pause, pushing aside the emotions before lifting my gaze. “I never meant to hurt him.”

Remy studies me, eyes the bag, then steps closer. “The only reason I haven’t made good on my promise is because Dare ordered me to protect you.” He lowers his voice and his eyes, which once looked brown but are now black and soulless. Perhaps this is the face his victims see moments before they take their last breath. “That man has already been through enough. If not for him still wanting to keep you safe, you’d be dead for hurting him.”

Heart frozen, my throat goes dry, but I force myself to stay put. “I won’t go past the foyer.”

Remy exhales and shakes his head, muttering something about me being a stubborn woman before nodding and crowding my space. “You have thirty seconds.”

I use that as an excuse to scurry away from him, but we both know my heart is slamming against my rib cage, his threat all too real. The scent of vetiver slams into me so hard, I almost stumble. Dare’s cologne, combined with the warmth of the home, wraps around me, but instead of bringing comfort, it acts as a noose, reminding me of everything I’ve done wrong. My stomach threatens to revolt.

Remy stomps behind me.

Shaking the thoughts from my head, I remember my purpose and open the bag.

A gun cocks behind me. I glance over my shoulder to see I’m in Remy’s sight. My eyes widen at the barrel a foot from my face.

“Twenty seconds.”

Shaking, legs trembling, I grab the box and set it on the foyer table, ignoring every memory we made there.

---