Page 32 of Kings & Carnage

"Famous last words," Rock said. "It's all fun and games until the crazy widow catches you snooping and chains you up in her basement.”

"She's not going to catch me snooping because I'm not going to snoop," I said.

"I'm starting to feel like I'm the one with the head injury," Neo said.

"I'll tell her the truth," I said. "I'll tell her that Dean Giordana tried to kill me at the cabin and that he was involved in something bad. I'll just… tell her everything and ask her to let me see those binders again.”

I’d taken pictures with my phone, but that was long gone, lost in the car crash and shooting after we’d left the island.

"Now I'm starting to think you're the one with the head injury," Neo said.

Oscar got to his feet to pace the kitchen. "It's actually not a bad idea.”

"Maybe we all have head injuries," Rock said.

"Think about it," Oscar said. "Whatever was going on with the girls, including Emma, was big. Someone had to take the girls, hurt them or kill them, hide the bodies.”

My stomach turned, the French toast and coffee turning sour with Oscar's words.

Because they weren’t just words. He was talking about real people.

About Emma and the other girls.

My feelings must've shown on my face because Oscar stopped pacing and crouched next to me at the table.

He took my head in his hands. "I'm sorry.”

The truth of it was written in his dark eyes.

"It's not your fault," I said. "I know something bad happened." I drew in a long shuddering breath, forcing myself to say the next words. "I know she's probably dead.”

The last sentence came out in a whisper. I was surprised it came out at all. It was the first time I'd ever said it out loud even though the thought had haunted me for nearly two years.

"Whatever happened, to Emma and the others, we're going to find out who's responsible and make them pay,” Neo said.

His voice was icy and I knew this was Neo's way of looking out for me. He might not have Rock’s soft words or Oscar's gentle touch, but he cared, and he would show he cared by unleashing his rage on anyone who hurt me.

I was beginning to understand him. My own sadness, fear, and frustration had slowly morphed into anger. Neo wanted to make whoever had hurt Emma pay and I was right there with him.

I fingered the choker around my neck.

Sic temper tyrannis.

Death to tyrants.

"Someone can only pay if we find out who they are," Rock said. "And Dean Giordana’s widow is as good a place to start as any."

Chapter13

Neo

Idrove away from the house with my fucking heart in my throat. After what had happened when we’d left the island, I was tempted to handcuff Willa to my side.

It wasn't so much that I didn't trust Oscar and Rock with her safety.

I knew they would protect her with their lives.

But it had started to seem like nowhere was safe. I hadn't even wanted to close my eyes the night before out of fear that something would happen to Willa while I slept.

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