Page 45 of Inside the Wicked

My heart shatters as she confirms the worst of what I feared for her.

“He didn’t wait. Rhett knew about it, and he left me here anyway.”

CHAPTER 18

Anastasia

I’m silent, numb, in my shock. There aren’t words to console her with what she confessed to me—not a single one that wouldn’t sound like an insult to what she’s been though. The childhood innocence she lost. Words for something like this are a Band-Aid to a broken bone. A cup of water to a house fire.

That’s what I want to do, as I stare up at this hauntingly beautiful but wretchedly tarnished manor. I want to burn it to the ground, and I would listen to Alistair scream as he went down in flames as if it were fucking music.

I don’t recognize myself with these dark, horrific thoughts. But he would deserve it. He deserves far worse.

“You ever speak a word of this to anyone, I’m not above killing you myself. I don’t care who you are. I have little to lose, Ana. Don’t test me,” Kenna says.

The flash of vulnerability is gone, and I believe her.

“He’s going to pay,” I say with renewed resolution. “We’re going to make him pay?—”

“There is nowe,” she hisses, glancing around as if Alistair could be around the corner. “I only told you that because I don’tcareabout Rhett. If he is still alive, it’s bad fucking news to me.”

“You don’t mean that.”

For a second I think hurt, maybe even betrayal, crosses her eyes.

“You’re just like him. Fucking perfect for each other, and if you don’t stop, you’ll end up another tragic martyr for him like Sarah Carter.”

I’m slammed by that. “You knew about his fiancée?”

She doesn’t respond, but she knows she’s slipped up. Alistair could have told her, but she’s his best spy ...

“Have you been watching him all this time?” I ask.

“I have better things to do with my time.”

I can’t tell if she’s lying when her poker face is so masterful.

“Kenna.” I say her name gently, but she reacts to that tone like I’ve pricked her skin. “Come back to Lumina Lounge with me tomorrow.”

“I’m tired of that place.”

“You wound me, sweetheart.” Silas’s velvety voice joins us outside. I’m relieved Alistair isn’t following behind him. He stops daringly close to a scowling Kenna. “How might Lumina be more accommodating to your tastes?”

“With you not being there, for starters.”

“Would that make you dance again?”

“No.”

“Why not? I’ve never seen a creature so free from life’s burdens as you were when you danced for me.”

“It wasn’t for you.”

“Not personally. We’ll fix that soon enough. I’m a very patient man. But in my club, everything is for me.”

“Well, I’m not coming back. Whatever you two are up to, I want no part in it.”

“Work for me,” he says before she can step around him.

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