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That makes two of us, little kitty.
Eli found homes for the monkeys and most of the reptiles, but the big cats were proving to be a real problem. All the zoos and sanctuaries were full right now – something to do with increased awareness of big cat mistreatment because of some weird Netflix show. In between everything else, he’d been desperately trying to find them a forever home. He couldn’t stand the thought of any innocent creature living without love. He cared so much and now—
BANG.
A gunshot?
Fuck.
I flatten myself against the floor, pressing Queen Boudica beneath me so she won’t run headlong into danger. My veins pulse with adrenaline.
Where’s the shooter? Who is in the house?
The boys blocked off the tunnel entrance. I’ve got a state-of-the-art lock on the maintenance shed. George searched this place from top to bottom and found no other secret tunnels. So how the fuck did someone get in—
No, it wasn’t a gunshot. It’s the ballroom door slamming against the wall as someone storms inside. I lift myself onto my elbows, letting Queen Boudica dart away. I’m ready to strangle Antony for scaring the shit out of me.
But it’s not Antony.
The figure stalks toward me. I try to scramble to my feet, but I’m too slow. A foot slams onto my back, a stiletto heel digging into my ribs.
“Hello, sister,” Mackenzie purrs.
Claudia
I twist my neck to look up at my twin. Her blonde hair tumbles over her shoulders in golden waves, her smile frozen like a doll, making a dimple in one of her cheeks. Her eyes eviscerate me.
She’s me.
Maybe I’ve been wrong all this time. Maybe Noah isn’t my mirror. Maybe it’s her. Maybe my twin sister reflects my own brutality back at me.
I’m suddenly aware of how completely alone I am. How alone and empty. If she’s come to cut out my heart, she’s too late – it’s already long gone.
Malloy Manor has been teaming with people for so many months, I’ve almost forgotten the crushing weight of loneliness.
Now, it’s just me and her.
And isn’t it fitting? It was always going to come to this – fighting to the death against my reflection.
Mackenzie twists her lips into a terrifying smile as she grinds her heel into my spine. “Where are your three little boyfriends? They’re not going to leap in and save you this time?”
“Why do you care?” I shoot back. A cold dread settles in my stomach. And suddenly I don’t give a fuck what she does to me, but if she hurts Eli, Noah, or Gabriel…
“Relax, sis. You look so spooked. I’m not going to hurt them. Why would I break up that sexy sandwich? After I kill you and assume your life, they will become my boyfriends. I must congratulate you on your excellent taste. I always knew Noah Marlowe would be dynamite in the sack, and even drippy Eli Hart sure grew up good.” Her cold eyes twinkle. “But Gabriel Fallen? Nice. I’m going to enjoy breaking him.”
At first, I don’t understand what she’s talking about, but as she digs her nails into my wrist and her hair tickles my cheek, it hits me.
She’s not just here to kill me, she’s here to insert herself into my life.
Mackenzie Malloy will die tonight, by my hand or hers, and one of us will get to keep living as Claudia.
I jerk my body, trying to knock her foot off so I can get up, but she digs a knee into my back, pinning me good. It’s a move that would do Antony proud.
“Atta girl.” Mackenzie trails a finger down my cheek. “You understand now. I’m here to take back what’s mine, the life I was supposed to have, the life you stole from me. But don’t worry, I promise I’m going to enjoy every minute of being Claudia August.”
I try to curl my legs under my body to get some leverage, but she presses my cheek into the cold marble. Something sharp jabs into my neck.
“Ow, fuck. What are you doing?”
