“They don’t speak Dumbass, that’s for sure.”
Dan holds up his hands. “All right, all right. Let’s stop quizzing our guest. She’s obviously tired.” He gives me a wink. “Let’s talk about something else. Connor. How’d football practice go?”
“Great. Coach said I’m killing it.”
Jasmine rolls her eyes. “Like the last thing anyone needs to hear about is a member of our familykillinganything.”
Everyone stares at her.
“What?” she says between bites of her roll. “It’s true. And it’s only getting worse now that his appeal failed and his execution date’s coming up. All I ever hear isOh, Jazzy, do you talk to him? Oh, Jazzy, are you going to get a ticket to watch your uncle die? Hey, Jasmine, you should write to your uncle in prison and ask him to come to prom!Seriously. It’s so embarrassing!”
Dan clears his throat and wipes his mouth with a napkin. “Now, that’s not really a topic of conversation we should be—”
“It’s not a secret, Daddy. Everyone knows. I told Ryan all about it.” Jasmine’s tone becomes haughty. “She needs to know if she’s gonna go to school with us. It’s a black mark on our family, and it’s gonna affect her too, so the sooner she knows, the better.”
Maggie glances at me, then chides her daughter. “Jasmine. Don’t be so dramatic.”
She huffs. “I’m not being dramatic.Youtry going to high school in this town, and you’ll see.” She turns to Connor for confirmation. He doesn’t confirm—but he doesn’t deny it, either.
“It’s totally gross how obsessed everyone is with it. They’d rather have the Starling Slayer at their prom than me.” Jasmine drops her fried chicken. “Seriously, Ryan. You should be happy you don’t have to deal with Uncle Psycho.”
I lower my gaze to my plate. No, all I have to deal with isDaddyPsycho.
“Jasmine, that’s enough,” Dan says, his voice raised slightly.
She grimaces. “Right. I forgot. We’re not supposed to bring up the name of Gabriel Thorn ever, especially at dinner. Someone might throw up at the thought of all the women he slaughtered—”
“Enough, young lady!” Maggie barks. “This is supposed to be a nice welcome dinner for your cousin. She doesn’t want to hear about our family!” My aunt’s eyes lock with mine. “Right, Ryan?”
I shrug in response and silently stare at my food, my appetite entirely gone. Sure. Whatever. I’ll be this Ryan Shipley they want me to be, but something tells me my past will never completely fade away like they want it to.
Like I need it to.
Three
Are You Going to Kill Me Now?
The floor creaks loudly beneath the soles of his boots. It creaks and whines and creaks some more until the footsteps stop and the room grows silent.
My heart trembles in my chest.
Where is he?
I can’t hear him. Can’t see him. But I can smell him. His citrusy scent mixes with the odor of urine that makes my throat burn with shame. I couldn’t stop it from happening.
I hold my breath for as long as I can.
Five seconds.
Ten.
Fifteen.
Sixteen.
It’s not long enough. My breath explodes out of me, and a shadow falls over the hardwood floor in front of my fear-clenched fists.
“Hi, little sparrow.” He pokes his head under the bed. He’s crouching.
