Page 126 of Petrify

I lean forward. “Arnie is still dead, Mallary.”

To the public, Henri is the only Beauchene left. No one suspects that I have been alive all this time. No one knows, except for Desmond, a few of the house staff, andher. No one knows that I am alive, and no one knows that I murdered Leo and Mariane Beauchene. Their passing was a tragic accident, nothing more.

“We’ve gotten away with it.”

“Yougot away with it.”

I stand and round the island. I’ve given her enough space. “Back to this again? Still pretending you’re innocent?”

She glares up at me. “No.” She huffs. “I’ve moved on. I’m starting a new life. I just don’t want to think about them anymore. Not when I need to focus on Henri, and on?—”

“Our music.”

She goes quiet.

“Have you forgotten our bargain?” I grin. It’s so easy to tease her. At the house, she was often quick to anger, and nothing has changed, even when she knows I am her ally.

“I’ve played your waltz,” she says.

“Ourwaltz.”

“At the party. A few people were interested. I got their contacts. And now I’m working with Violet Lavigne, so I think our bargain is fulfilled.”

I knew this, obviously, after following her for weeks. I know she’s playing in clubs for the upper crust. The understudy roles with the symphony will soon be a thing of the past. I know, because I’ve attended so many of these clubs, tucked away in a corner so she wouldn't see me, just to listen to her play again. Just to remind myself that she wasn’t a fantasy.

“You haven’t given me every single one of your nights,” I say. “And I am owed about three months’ worth. With interest.”

She frowns. “That’s impossible.”

I grab her hip, pull her to me. “Then you better get started.”

“Baz, wait.”

Baz. My name is music on her tongue.

“What is this?” She gestures between us, taking another step back. “What are we doing? Why are you here? Truly?”

“Because I want you.” With one stride I’m cornering her against the marble counter. The air is sweet with the scent of the tea. “Because three months without you was three months without air. It was fucking torture. I need your music. I needyou, Mallary.”

Her big brown eyes widen. Does she see the Ghost, or does she seeme?

“Why is this a surprise? You said you knew I’d chase you.”

“Yes.” She licks her lips. It’s proof of my control that I don’t lean down and kiss her again. “But you were so angry when Ileft. I thought maybe you’d hunt me down to kill me, too. For running.”

“Why would I kill someone I love?”

“You don’t—this isn’t—” Her face turns bright red. “We only spent amonthtogether.”

“Four,” I counter.

“What?”

“Did you really think it took me three whole months to find you?”

Her jaw snaps shut.

“You think I didn’t account for the possibility you might run? I’ve been very patient. Waiting for you. Waiting for Henri to leave. Because I knew once I could touch you again, I wouldn’t let you go for days.”