Page 188 of The Unravelings

I’m one step forward and continuing to prove to her that we had nothing to do with her family’s death. And hers.

“Oh, but you should. I love show and tell,” Malic quips. “But do tell us why you came back after all these years, Little Ghost. You know, I hoped you would one day.”

Wait. “You knew she was still alive?” I ask breathlessly.

It’s like Malic reached over the counter, punched through my chest, and grabbed my heart. He knew? He fucking knew she still existed. He didn’t have to go through the grief. The nightmares. The guilt of not being there for her.

And we did.

We went through it all. Through the funeral. Through the burial. Through the gravestone placement months after she was gone, which kick-started our grief all over again. Grief has never died within us. It’s something that we’ve lived with for five years and continue to dwell in.

Even now, with her breathing beside me. I still remember that day like it happened yesterday. It’s a scar on my soul that will never leave.

Even if she’s alive. The panic of losing her all over again has my chest heaving. And this situation is doing nothing to calm the fears rising up inside me.

I sneak a peek at Olivia as she keeps her forehead planted against the countertop. A heavy sigh rocks through her again.

“I know a lot of things, Enemy Number Three.” He taps his temple a few times. “A lot of things people don’t want me to know.”

His statement should concern me, but I’m more focused on Olivia as she silently stews, banging her forehead off the countertop and refusing to look at the three of us.

“I was sent here to infiltrate Franco’s gang,” she mumbles as she sits up with a frown. “I didn’t want to come back. But I was made to. Okay? Are we happy now that you know my secrets? Because I’m fucking not okay.”

“Very much so. Your communication skills are impressive, Crumpet. They are the foundation of a beautiful relationship,” Malic says, watching her closely. “And we’ll do everything we can to protect you, won’t we, lads?” His eyes dart between Wilder and me like he needs reassurance.

“Obviously,” I huff, reaching over to set my hand on her leg again. “No matter why you’re here, Spitfire. I’ll⁠—”

“We’ll,” Malic corrects me quickly. “This is a team effort, after all.”

“Yeah, because of you, you nosy bastard,” Wilder gripes.

“We’ll,” I grit out. “Make sure you’re safe. No one will hurt you. I promise.”

“We,” Malic grits out again, getting out his phone. “Teamwork makes the dream work and all that. And I’m holding you to that.” He gives me a pointed look. “You keep her safe or fail, and I fucking take you out.” He types something into his phone. “I’ve added you to the list.” He grins when my stomach sinks.

“And what if I don’t help you? Would you endanger my life?” Olivia asks in a low voice, finally meeting their eyes with a ferocity that could kill a man.

Malic pauses briefly, licking his lips. “Now, you don’t play fair, Little Ghost.”

“You are blackmailing her into helping you,” Wilder quips. “How’s that working out for you and your master plan? If you tell the entire campus she exists, then it doesn’t really suit your interests, and you’ll break your promise.”

Malic frowns, typing something else into his phone. “You got yourself onto the low-priority kill list, Keeper. Keep it up, and you’ll be number one.”

Wilder rolls his eyes as he takes another drink. “Do your fucking worst,” he quips. “Please. Take me out of my fucking misery.”

Malic stares at Wilder and shakes his head. “Fine. I humbly ask that you help me track down who killed my sister. I have a strong suspicion it’s whoever is taking organs for funzies and leaving the bodies all over town. But I can’t confirm if I don’t have any concrete evidence on my sister to connect them.” He glares at me next. “Your father is on my shit list for that, too.”

AKA, he thinks Franco is the one doing all the killings and leaving the bodies. But I’m not so convinced. He may have his fingers in many pies all over the city, but killing people for their organs? I don’t think that’s one of them. An associate, maybe?

“Franco. Not father,” I say, straightening my spine. “And I can’t help you there. I don’t know what he’s up to half the time. Hux, Mack, and I have strict instructions to stick to campus.” And that’s all he needs to know about what we do here. We aren’t the Kings of Greenwood without reason. Not to mention the runs we’ve gone on for Franco. “But I have been keeping tabs on Dr. Lohr and have a strong suspicion she’s been up to something involving the bodies being dumped.” The video Meredith showed us at the café comes to mind, making me wonder if she divulged that information to Malic, too.

Malic blows a raspberry. “She knows nothing. Believe me. She was useless and in pieces, floating down the river by now.”

“In pieces?” I question, raising a brow. How wonderful. He must have had the same thoughts as me about her. She was my best lead in finding out what was happening. That and the other doctors in her orbit. Malic and I will have to discuss whatever Dr. Lohr told him before he so obviously ended her life. “And how do we know it isn’t you and your boss involved in the murders?”

Wilder snorts. “How do we know it’s not you? Franco? Whoever else works for you? We don’t. But it’s definitely not the two of us,” he says, pointing to Malic and then to himself. “As for Boss? I don’t think so.” He doesn’t elaborate further, and unless he’s an excellent liar, I think he’s telling the truth.

“Okay,” Olivia sighs. “I’ll find out who killed your sister. I have a tech friend who can hack into anything.”