Page 142 of Dance of Madness

The neurons in my brain connect. The synapses fire. My finger squeezes the trigger.

CLICK.

My breath leaves my body in a rushing, wooshing sound as the revolver dry-fires against my head.

Kir’s hand wraps around the barrel, removing it gently from my grip.

“But other times,” he says. “You CAN.”

I run my fingers over the copy ofWertheragain, and a small smile creeps over my lips. I reach inside my pocket and feel the box, nodding.

It’s time.

Time to find my way again. To come clean.

To tell her everything.

…But especially, that I love her.

I exhale once more before I stand and tuck the book back into the safe, close and lock it, and swing the picture back into place.

I’m heading for the door when there’s a knock.

“Nero.”

I frown when I open the door and see Dom standing there, brow furrowed.

“You going somewhere?”

“Yep.”

He clears his throat. “You planning on telling mewhere?”

“Mmm…nope.”

He grins, rolling his eyes. “Well, before you go… This came for you.”

I frown when he hands me a small, padded mailing envelope; sealed, no postage.

“It came via courier.” Dom answers my unspoken question. “Don't worry, I had it scanned by security for any explosives residue.”

I’d joke that this is overkill, but… Welcome to my world.

After Dom heads on his way, I close the door and tear open the package.

The little thumb drive I find inside is curious enough.

…The Post-it note stuck to it reading “play me” is even weirder.

I grab my laptop, sit on the couch, and slip in the thumb drive.

There’s only one file, a video. When I click it, I’m not sure what I’m watching at first. Then very quickly, it becomes apparent.

…and my whole reality shifts on its axis.

For a moment, I stare at what plays across the screen, frozen. My body goes numb. My eyes stab into the video, watching it as my hands start to twitch.

No.

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