Page 135 of Pretty Little Threats

Rose’s headhangs low as she shuffles down the sidewalk, away from my house. She didn’t see my car pull up, but Remy did. I spare him one, venomous glare as I climb out of the vehicle. “What the fuck did you do?”

Remy is staring after Rose. “She’s not okay.”

“Of course, she’s not okay,” I snap. Over the last few weeks, I deconstructed the house that had kept Rose safe, and now she’s living that harsh reality on her own. My instincts are screaming at me to go after her. Duty to my sisters has me rooted to the spot. I clench my fists.

“She left something for you.” Remy gestures to the table where I first took Rose as my wife.

At least with that, I have a reason to turn away, instead of racing after her. Chest and jaw tight, I stride toward the lacquered box, confused as I lift the lid. Confusion lines my forehead. So much paperwork. Envelopes with more. And a note for me.

Dare.

I don’t even know where to begin, but I hope this is a start. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for accusing you of lying. I’m sorry for not trusting you.

This box has everything you need to bring a case against my dad. It’s probably no surprise to you that he’s not who he seems.

My dad killed my mom.

I think he killed your parents, too, and hopefully, this is the start of you finding all the answers you need.

He’s lied about so much.

Despite whatever your intentions were when we first got married,you tried to show me the truth, and for that, I’m forever in your debt.

You’ve always been the Beast of NYC, and for a short while, I knew what it was like to be your beauty.

I hope that means something, but I understand if you’d rather have nothing to do with me.

With love,

Your Wife.

Glancing over the documents, all the pieces finally click together. The paper suddenly weighs fifty pounds. Finding proof that I was right doesn’t bring the relief I thought it would; it only poisons my blood, making it hard to stand straight.

With her mom’s letter and the forgeries, it makes sense. Joseph used his wife’s name to commit crimes. Somehow, she figured it out, and he killed her for it, but not before she could tell my parents. I look at the letter her mom wrote again. Maybe she threatened to take it to the police? Whatever happened, Rose’s mom wanted her to come to my family for safety.

A harsh exhale rushes out of me.

How long did my parents keep that secret before they started digging for evidence of Joseph’s crimes?

How many more people has he hurt?

And Rose... Chest so tight, it threatens to crack under the pressure, I scowl at Remy, who’s been reading over my shoulder. “We’re going to talk about what I saw on camera later.”

I place the letter in the box and spin on my heel, jogging out of my house and down the stairs. Pulse thudding, I go to find my wife.

I don’t have a plan. I don’t know how we’ll deal with the fallout with her father, but I do know that she’s finally free of his hold. She’s not going to let him control her anymore. The air is locked in my lungs, like I can’t breathe until I find her.

She’s the only woman I’ve allowed to get close to me. I think some fucked-up part of me thought that, with the murder weapon in hand, I’d be safe from falling in love, but Rose found her way into my bloodstream.

I jog a little faster, my heart battering against my ribs.

I want her in my bed every morning and night.

As pissed as I am, a life without Rose isn’t one worth living.

She didn’t intentionally give that number to her dad. She’s given me evidence I need to finally take her dad down.

Rose gave me everything she thought I needed, but right now, all I need is her.

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