Page 85 of Little Nightmare

And Ace wouldn’t let go of my hand.

One hand had mine, one hand was touching Lily’s while she slept in her car seat.

Once we pulled up to my dad’s house it seemed like the entirety of the five families were gathered as if we were having a commission which was rare during peace.

Ace grabbed Lily and held her close then wrapped his free arm around us while we walked up the marble stairs and inside.

Suits were leaning against walls, talking, discussing in low voices. Junior and Ash were near the kitchen, both of them looked pissed.

Like very, very pissed.

And then they saw us and the anger was gone.

Replaced with—pity.

It was pity.

But not for me, their eyes all went to Ace.

Maybe because he lied?

I wouldn’t let anything happen to him, though. Never. Over my dead body. The whispering grew louder when suddenly I heard a voice.

His voice.

“Hi, Raven.”

A chill ran down my spine as I slowly turned around and gasped. “Louis.”

28

ACE

The one where the universe laughs and strips you bare leaving nothing left but dry bone.

My line of vision went from clear to a complete tunnel, focused only on him, the man who was supposed to be dead. I saw him die. I was at his funeral. We had a thing now, we always checked because people just tended to pop back to life in the five families and often at the very worst moments.

Everyone had trust issues and for good reason.

Suddenly someone was at my back, Raven was ripped away from me. “You lied.”

It was Dante’s voice.

And I was staring at Louis’ face.

I never thought my death would come with the guy who raised me and became my father-in-law at my back and the one who supposedly already beat me to it smiling at me.

Would he get everything?

Was this all part of the plan?

And wasn’t he the bad guy?

“You’re dead.”

“Lucian’s dead,” he snapped. “My twin brother.”

“Twin,” I repeated while Dante held me firm against him. “Your twin?”

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