Page 177 of Vexatious Queen

“You’re positive?”

He nodded, tears falling down his cheeks.

“I thought you were pranking me with a mean joke.”

“God, no. I’d never do that,” I said.

“I know. I’m sorry, I just freaked out when I saw her.” He looked me in the eyes. “Please tell me where they are. I need to see her. I need to tell her that Lawrence is dead.”

I blew out a long, slow breath.

“Rory, I don’t want to sound like an asshole, but I have to talk to Liam first.”

His forehead wrinkled as he processed what I just said.

“This is a lot to take in, and I know that I should probably just trust what you’re saying, but…”

“You want to make sure my story is legit?”

“Yeah…I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be. I’m happy that my sister has a ring of people around her willing to protect her. Check with Liam,” he said, nodding.

“Okay, give me a minute.”

I walked away, my mind completely blown. Was the world really that small? For every dark and horrible thing I’d experienced, there had also been miracles that just couldn’t be explained.

Liam answered the phone, and I relayed what happened. Rory stood by the window looking outside. He tried to hide the fact that he was crying. My heart broke for him and what his family had been through at the hands of Lawrence. He said it best. It didn’t matter how he died, just that he couldn’t hurt us anymore.

“Yeah, his story checked out. He’s good to have the information,” Liam said, when I was done. “That is some crazy coincidence.”

“Right? Okay, thanks, Liam.”

I hung up, and Rory slowly turned around to face me.

“I’ll send you Lizzy’s address, but just so you know, she’s in Canada.”

A sad smile lifted the corner of Rory’s lips.

“I don’t care where she is, I love my sister, and I’m leaving as soon as I can book a plane ticket,” he said.

His phone dinged with the contact info.

“Ren, please don’t let them know I’m coming. I know that sounds weird, but I don’t want her to get spooked and run. Last Leah knew, I was working for Lawrence.”

Oh crap. Lizzy was upset that I’d shown Rory her social media. How the hell was she going to take him showing up on her doorstep? But I understood.

“Alright, I won’t say anything. But Rory…be prepared for your sister not to be ready to see you.”

He looked down at the floor.

“I have to try.”

“Then let’s get out of here so you can get going,” I said.

“Thank you, Ren,” he said as I grabbed my stuff and followed him out of the classroom.

The world certainly worked in mysterious ways.