Page 38 of Dark Reasons

You knew he was a killer.Murdering for money isn't great... and I'm no saint either...

But to slaughter a room full of strangers, as well as his own sister?

How do I come to terms with that. How do I—

"Selena."

The buzzing in my head vanishes; both of them are watching me curiously. "What?" I ask. "Sorry, I was zoning out."

Jamison squints, while Rory gives me a knowing smirk around his lollipop stick. That's all that's left of it, but he sucks the white paper like it's full of nutrients. "I said Rory found out who Caruso is," Jamison explains. He motions for me to come to the computer.

My heels are cemented to the floor. "Who is he?"I can't get closer to him I can't I can't.

"I thought you'd be jumping at the bit for this," Jamison says with a frown.

"Just tell her," Rory sighs. "It's not some revelatory news." Again, he grins at me, enjoying our private knowledge.

His cruelty gives me the strength to march forward on stiff legs until I'm standing near Jamison. "Tell me everything you learned."

Jamison taps his finger on the desk. "Caruso Oakley, CEO of Sparks Entertainment. His address is just a PO Box, but his company has a physical location."

"Where?" I ask eagerly. The sickening news from before is dampened by my rising excitement.

"In Glendale," Rory says, "about a half hour drive from here. His business is huge, by the way. He makes and distributes tons of streams online for high level influencers. But, where he really rakes in the cash, are the amateur porn stars. With his network he launches their careers sky high."

My guts wrap around on themselves; I slam my hand on the desk, making the keyboard rattle, knocking over an empty can of soda. "He also blackmails innocent girls to work for him. He's sick."

"Oh, touched a nerve." Rory's laugh is hollow. "I wasn't saying I support what he does. Just explaining an operation like that makes enough money to have serious security. You aren't just walking in."

"Sure I am," I say flatly.

"Oh, a girl with a death wish. Cool."

Jamison reaches out for my shoulder. "He's right, Selena—"

I wrench away instinctively. Jamison locks up, his hand hovering in the air. He stares in confusion at me, and I flinch, turning away, too ashamed to look him in the eye. "I want that mandead.Okay?"

"I'm saying we need a plan." Jamison's tone is low, patient... concerned. Someone who wants to help me.

I hate how I reacted to his touch even more now.

I just couldn't stop myself.

With sick heat flooding my face I hurry towards the front door. "Then make a plan. You two clearly understand this business better than me."

"Where are you going?" Jamison calls out.

"I need some air." I pop open the Faraday box and take back my phone. There are footsteps—Jamison has followed me into the entryway. His broad body fills the space. I can't avoid his intense stare, not here. "Don't worry, I'm not going to march off without you holding my hand," I say, my smile twisting. "I can't get caught or killed before I finish paying you, right?"

"Selena..."

"I swear," I say, unlocking the door, opening it wide, "I'm not running off. I'll be by the car. This place and... Rory... they're giving me a headache. Okay?" I wait for him to nod. I just want a sign he won't interfere, that he trusts me enough to be out of his sight.

His head bobs.

I'm off, shutting the door on my heels. I suck in the biggest, most desperate breath I can in the stairwell. I remember how he caught me when I almost fell here earlier.

He killed his sister and who knows who else.

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