That name again. Like acid down my spine.
I squeeze my eyes shut so tight it hurts. I want to disappear. I want to scream. I want tobe anyone else.
There’s a scuffle, the sound of bodies moving, of someone being pushed—maybe slammed—back toward the door. Dolly is barking even louder now, wild and protective, her little body half-covering mine like she thinks she can take on the world if she has to.
And before the door slams?—
Just before I think I might actually pass out?—
Donall shouts one last thing.
“You need to be more worried about the fucking mass murderer in your living room!”
SLAM.
Silence.
I recoil like I’ve been stabbed.
The quiet that follows is worse. More suffocating.
Oli’s footsteps come fast, thudding across the floor, and then his hands are on me—gentle, grounding. Where did Myrick go?
“Autry.” Oli’s voice is thick with concern, but I can’t focus on his face. Everything is hazy. “Breathe. Sweetheart, I need you to breathe.”
Myrick’s pacing somewhere, muttering curses and threats under his breath, furious and shaken. I can smell Charlie's fear in the room now, too. He says something, but I can barely hear any of them.
Because all I can hear is that name.
Autumn.
Mass murderer.
Autumn.
Murderer…murderer…murderer.
And I know the moment is coming?—
I’m going to have to tell my pack who I really am. And what I’ve done.
It’s time to pay for my sins.
That Evening
Rhett
The elevator humsbeneath my feet, gliding up toward my apartment, smooth and fast. I lean back against the mirrored wall, my shoulders finally beginning to relax for the first time in months. Years, maybe.
It’s done.
The deal is closed.
The company is sold.
The final transfer hit the offshore account two hours ago. Clean, seamless, legal.
The numbers were better than anyone expected. Jannis agreed to retain the entire staff—two years minimum, fully contracted. I was able to cash out completely. No partial holdings, no strings. I’m free.
