Page 148 of Where Sinners Repent

My mind goes to Roxy first. It seems to be doing that a lot. She is most likely still asleep. But I can’t shake the feeling.

I push away from the table, all eyes landing on me.

I look only at Kaleb.

“Just going to check on Roxy,” I murmur.

He nods, but I feel him watching my back until I’m out of the meeting room. I take the steps two at a time, moving as quickly as I can through the stairwell. As soon as I see her, I can go back and finish the meeting.

Actually, scrap that. I’ll take her down with me. Sit her on my lap and hold her. Then I won’t have a thing to worry about.

She’s safe, I remind myself.

The clubhouse is full of Devils, and every entrance is secured. Nobody gets in here without us knowing.

Yet, here I am, running up these fucking stairs. The hallway is quiet, and I unlock our apartment door, turning on every light I pass.

“Roxy,” I call out before even making it to Kaleb’s room, where she sleeps.

The crawling sensation turns fucking sickening. I shove the bedroom door open, and silence is the only thing I find.

The bed is empty.

For a second too long, I just stare at the tangled sheets.

“Roxy?” I bark, louder this time, feeling the mattress for any warmth.

Cold. Fucking cold.

Checking the clock on the wall, it’s only half past midnight. I’ve barely been gone an hour. I cross the room and check the bathroom before tearing into my bedroom. My pulse races, eyes darting. Snagging on the dresser.A torn piece of paper. And sitting on top of it... is the black diamond necklace I gave her. And Kaleb’s knife. Two things she’d never leave behind. My eyes lock there, unseeing, as every part of me turns to ice.

But then I see her handwriting beneath them. Slowly, I lift the knife, squeezing my palm around it. I move the necklace as if it will burn me before picking up the note.

I’m a coward. Because I’m terrified of the words on the page.

Kai and Kaleb,

All I can say is that I’m sorry. For what I’ve done. For what I’m about to do.

Thank you for giving me something I never thought I’d have.

I love you both.

Please forgive me.

-Your Roxy

I read them once. Twice. The words keep moving on the page. None of it makes sense.

For what I’ve done.

My eyes drag painfully over the letter, one more time.

For what I’m about to do.

Fuck.

My body goes scarily still. Every part of me has forgotten how to function while my mind tries to rearrange her words into something that doesn’t feel like goodbye. Like betrayal.