MasukI hesitated. “I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe not.”Lucas crossed his arms. “Does it matter?”“Of course it matters,” Sarah said, glancing at him over her shoulder.“No,” Lucas said. “It doesn’t. Whether or not he orchestrated the kidnapping or her mother’s death, he still chose Vivian over Ellie. He let
Ellie’s POVLucas’s house was smaller than Dominic’s. Quieter, too. I’d always appreciated that about being here, away from the noise and gossip back home.Then again, I supposed it wasn’t “home” anymore.I didn’t know what was.He led me inside and gestured toward the couch. “Sit. I’ll get the firs
In my room, I pulled out my suitcase and began to pack. I gathered the essentials: a few changes of clothes, my toiletries. I changed out of the ruined dress the rogues had given me, took a quick shower just to rinse off the dirt and blood, then threw on a pair of jeans and a sweater that I’d stolen
Ellie’s POVMy mother laid on the cold metal table, just as lifeless as the steel beneath her. Her hair fanned out around her, her face pale and peaceful.It wasn’t her. Not really. The part that was my mother, her soul, was somewhere far better than this life had ever afforded her. All that was lef
A roar split the air, and for a moment, I thought it came from my own throat before I heard gasping behind me and realized that it was Dominic. I looked up through blurred vision and saw him standing over Gareth’s body. The rogue wasn’t moving. His throat was torn out, his one good eye staring blank
Ellie’s POVI couldn’t move.My mother was on the ground with a lake of blood pooling beneath her, and all I could do was fucking stand there and stare.Dominic’s grip on my arm vanished. He shifted mid-stride and launched himself at Gareth, who did the same. The two collided in the air, fur and fle
Dominic POVI come home from practice sore in places I didn’t know could still ache.My shoulders are tight, knuckles scraped, lungs burning like I didn’t quite finish breathing before I left the training ring. Usually that kind of exhaustion helps. Usually it quiets things.Tonight, it doesn’t tou
My heart hammers.“I just wanted you free,” I say, softer than I mean to.Her eyes narrow. “You wanted you free. You wanted to prove your parents don’t control you.”“That’s not true.”“Then what is?”I shouldn’t look at her mouth. I do anyway.“The truth,” I say low, “is you don’t make sense.”Her
This time, I’m not soaked.And no one was hurt.My hand presses to my temple. Thank gods.The applause hasn’t even finished fading when Vivian’s voice cuts through it.“She rigged it!” She points innocently. “I’m sorry! But! She did!”The room stills.I turn just in time to see her step forward, loo
I stop walking and check it.My parents.Right….It was coming up.I stare at the screen for a long moment before answering.Sure, why not. Perfect timing for another train wreck.—Ellie POVA few days have passed and my ankle has strong strong enough to walk on, mostly without a limp.But that did







