Page 172 of Symphony for Lies

A weight dropped into my heart.

No.

No, that didn’t make any damn sense.

But Amelia’s gaze didn’t waver.

She knew.

“If she’s still out there…” She sucked in a sharp breath as pain rippled through her body, but she held my gaze, refusing to back down. “…she’s not going to stop… Please, Zane.” Her fingers curled around mine, clinging to me like I was her anchor. “We have to tell Spencer.”

I could feel the urgency in her words. She knew the nightmare wasn’t over.

But my mind struggled to catch up.

Rita. Jeffrey?

What the hell?

I glanced down as Amelia lifted my hand to her lips, pressing the faintest, weakest kiss against my knuckle.

A plea. A silent request.

I had barely survived losing her once. I couldn’t bear it again.

Nevertheless, I couldn’t stand the thought of her suffering. Knowing the truth and being unable to act.

My throat was dry, and I ran my tongue over my suddenly parched lips.“I’m not leaving you alone,” I murmured, my gaze locked onto hers, hypnotized by the quiet storm within them.

“I don’t have my phone.” I swallowed hard.“Give me a second.”

She nodded, her breath warm against my cheek.

It took everything in me to pull away.

Everything.

Every cell in my body screamed at me to stay, keep holding her, and never let go.

But I had to for her sake.

Slowly, I pushed myself upright, my fingers lingering against her cheek, catching a stray tear before it could fall.

“I’ll be right back,” I whispered.

It wasn’t just a promise.

It was a vow.

A goddamn oath.

Each step toward the door felt impossibly heavy, my chest constricting tighter with every second that passed.

I reached for the handle, opened the door, and froze.

“Hello, Zane.” The voice was high-pitched, syrupy-sweet, and completely out of place.

Rita.

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