I lift a hand.
Give her a small wave.
Then walk toward my mailbox. The second I open it, I know she's watching. I can practically feel her staring.
I pull out the stack.
And there it is.
Another red paper like the one before.
A sharp inhale sounds behind me.
She saw it.
Good.
At least she knows I’m not the culprit, like I’d need to stoop that low.
I glance over my shoulder. "Something I can help you with?"
Nothing. She practically bolts as the mailroom door slams shut behind her with finality.
I look down at the paper. Still grinning. At least until I read it. My smile slowly disappears.
Keep your enemies close, keep her closer. It’s a test Jude, unleashing the past decides your future. Can I trust you? Or will you become exactly like him?
I stare at the words.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then laugh.
Low.
Dangerous.
Because suddenly I know two things.
First?
Whoever is behind this list isn't stupid and wants me to know.
And second?
They know exactly who I am, thanks Dad, targeting me early I see.
And more importantly, who my enemies are, mainly enemy number one. Lilah. Who else could they be talking about?
I fold the paper carefully and slip it into my pocket, I’ll add it to the stash back at my apartment. I’m suddenly even more curious about what Lilah’s note says.
"No fucking problem," I mutter. “It was the plan all along you idiot, keep her close, make her pay.” If my dad really is behind it and I’m ninety nine percent sure he or someone he works for is, then this just got a whole lot more fun, now I just need to make sure she’s out of his pocket.
I head upstairs. Because for the first time all week, I'm not thinking about revenge. I'm thinking about the look on Lilah's face, I was only planning on staying in the apartment until I could find a house to buy or even crashing with my cousin but maybe I’ll stay longer, maybe this was the better plan all along.
