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“My friend only used my initials when I first started sneaking out. ‘L’ stuck as an actual name. Considering nearly all of you go by nicknames, I don’t think you have room to speak.”
She nodded after a few seconds. “Fair enough.” With a sigh, she dropped her hands so the torn pages hit her legs, and looked up at me. “I was giving you time with him. Doesn’t mean it didn’t make me hate you.”
“I know. Stall him,” I said weakly, and attempted a laugh. “After all, you’re looking for a girl who died four years ago who never had ID.”
“I can’t. He knows I don’t know how.”
I nodded in acknowledgment. “Maybe just warn me before it happens. I’d like one last night with him.”
Einstein studied me for a minute in a way only she could, those wild eyes searching for something hidden. “You know, I think it’s unfortunate. What’s going to happen,” she added on as an afterthought. “No one else would’ve thought twice about using the fake life. I don’t think I’ll ever meet someone else who’s as straightforward in her deceit as you are. It’s a shame.”
I didn’t need her to explain.
I knew what was a shame.
“What’s sad is I’m not enough to ease his need for revenge.”
“You might’ve been. I know you’re perfect for him. I think the two of you are what your families need to stop spilling blood. But Dare has a devil on his shoulder who’s always whispering in his ear, reminding him of his promises and his hatred. And his devil won’t let Dare stop thirsting for blood.”
“You mean Johnny, don’t you?” I asked when Einstein turned to leave.
She looked back at me, a sad smile playing on her lips. “Who else?”
“Can’t you see that he’s poison?” I asked, the question tumbling from my mouth before I could stop myself. “How can you look away from the kind of man he is?”
“Poison, huh? Interesting description. Do you need to be reminded whose bed you’ve been sharing for years?”
My mouth opened, a defense for Kieran on the tip of my tongue before I stopped. Because Kieran wasn’t the boy who hated what he’d been made in to anymore. He hadn’t for a long time. “I don’t turn a blind eye to what he does. I think the fact that I’m standing here says as much.”
“Just because you see him for what he is doesn’t mean there isn’t a part of you that hopes you can fix him.” From the way she seemed to stare through me, I had a feeling she wasn’t just talking about Kieran and me. “Everyone’s a puzzle,” she said suddenly. “He’s just missing a piece, but I’ll find it. I always do.”
“But, Einstein—”
“You can’t help who you love.” Her words were as much an explanation as they were a reminder. Before I could respond, her eyebrows lifted and head tilted. “Did you hear that? I think . . . I think my operating system just crashed. My motherboard might be fried. I can’t search for you the way I need to. Funny how that happens.”
I blew out a weighted breath and sent her a grateful smile. “Thank you, Einstein.”
I watched her slip out of the room and started to turn to get dressed when I heard Dare’s deep timbre from somewhere in the house.
Following my rumbling stomach down the hall toward the kitchen, my brow pinched when I found the kitchen full of takeout food, but void of people.
I peeked in one of the bags as I rounded the counter to continue following Dare’s voice into the living room, but turned right back around to get a drink instead when I heard Johnny’s distinct sneer.
“Maybe if you paid more attention to your own house, we wouldn’t have to do your job for you.”
“Enough,” Dare growled.
I slowed as I pulled a glass down from one of the cupboards to fill with water, wondering who they were talking to and knowing I probably shouldn’t be hearing this.
But even as my mind yelled at me to slowly and quietly retreat back to Dare’s room, I couldn’t stop from listening as Dare continued.
“He’s got plans to take her within the next two weeks. No set date.”
“Jesus fuck . . . all right.”
My head snapped up and I nearly choked on my next breath when I heard the familiar curse.
No. No, no, no. That’s not him. Please, God, be anyone but him.
