Page 127 of Saint

Liam: You’re as guilty as they are.

Violet: How?

Liam: You’ll see. You trusted the wrong people. They can’t save you from me. See you soon… kitten.

He uses my nickname. The one Kole uses, even as I know in my bones this isn’t Kole.

Pulling up my contact list, I dial Kole’s number and wait while it rings. When the voice message kicks in, I clench my phone tighter. The voicemail is a generic recording, and I don’t bother leaving a message.

This can’t wait. I need to see him.

I switch back to my texts and find Kole’s name.

Violet: I need to see you.

“Everything okay?” Patience plants a hand on my shoulder, and I jump.

“Yes.” I spin in my seat. “Sorry.”

“What’s going on?” Mila’s eyes pinch, and all three of them look at me like they don’t believe me.

“I need to get to Sigma House.”

“Now?” Mila crosses her arms over her chest. “It’s girls’ night.”

“I know, and I’ll make it up to you. I promise.” I glance down at my phone, but there’s still nothing from Kole. “This can’t wait.”

“Good dick never can.” Mila rolls her eyes, but she’s grinning.

That’s not why I’m going over there, but I don’t contradict her. If she thinks that’s the reason I’m disappearing, it’ll be easier to explain.

“Are you okay to drive?” Patience asks, glancing down at my empty shot glass.

It isn’t much, but I’ve never handled alcohol well, and the room is already spinning a little.

“Shit. I didn’t think about that.”

“It’s fine.” Teal hops up, tucking her phone into her hoodie pocket. “I only had a sip of mine. I’ll drive you.”

“Thanks.”

Teal nods, stalking off to her room to get her purse.

I should change since I’m dressed for girls’ night, not Sigma House. I’m in jeans and a T-shirt, with my hair up in a messy ponytail and not a drop of makeup on my face. But Kole’s seen me look worse, covered in all sorts of things. So I don’t bother.

Slipping on a zip-up sweater, I follow Teal out once she grabs her keys.

The drive is short, and luckily, Teal is as preoccupied with her thoughts as I am. I briefly ask her about how her art presentation went and quickly get the hint to drop it. From then on, we sit in silence.

I wait for Kole to call me back. For him to text me or message me through the Dark Desires app. But my phone is quiet—too quiet. It’s unnerving.

Pulling up to the gates of Sigma House, I’m surprised to find them open when the driveway isn’t filled with cars. Unless they’re throwing a party, the gates are normally locked. And it’s one more thing added to my list of reasons this night feels off.

“Thanks.” I climb out, forcing a smile at Teal.

“Be safe.”

Safe.

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