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Parisstared at me blankly. “Ohfuck.You’reinsane.”
Inodded solemnly. “Ihave come to terms with it.”
“Don’t.Please,” he snapped out of his anger and resorted to begging. “Pleasedon’t show those to anyone.”
“Iwon’t have to if you remember everything we discussed today.”Ipocketed the phone. “I’llhang onto them in case you forget.Oh, this goes without saying, but if you breathe a word aboutPoppylocking you up,I’llpursue all the avenues we discussed tonight.Understood?”
Henodded vehemently, not daring to hesitate.
“Gladwe agree.”Iglanced at my watch.Ourchat took longer than expected.Poppywent to sleep at midnight without exception, and dealing with this asshole ruined my last remaining moments with her.AsifIneeded more reasons to eraseParis’ existence from this planet.Grabbinghis collar,Iyanked him off the ground with one hand.
“Ow,” he yowled asIdragged him out of the panic room. “Whereare you taking me?”
“Thishas been nice and all, but it’s best if you get going.Leavethrough the balcony.It’llbe rude to wake everyone.”
Parisstruggled to keep up, holding his side. “Youcan’t be serious,” he protested onceIshoved him onto the connected balcony. “Icould get seriously injured jumping off the second floor.”
“You’llget more hurt ifIthrowyou off the second floor.”Itwasn’t a high jump, and he’d probably survive.Thefucker would limp to his car as long as he landed on the soft ground.Thiswas generous, considering my earlier murderous mood. “Thisway, you have a chance at making it.”
Parisshuddered. “Chance?”
“I’dsay fifty-fifty.”Ishrugged indifferently.Itshould worry me how littleIcared whether he survived or not. “Avoidgetting hit on the head.”
Parisgulped and looked below. “HowamIsupposed to do that?”
“Notmy problem.”
“Pleasedon’t do this.”
Boredomseeped into me.Imenacingly stepped forward to pluck him off the ground and make good on my promise.Havingread my intentions,Parisquickly climbed the railing, then jumped off without giving himself a chance to reconsider.
Athud was followed by overabundant whining.Iskimmed with mild curiosity to findParislying on a rose bush.
Hm.Hesurvived.Goodfor him.
Parisremained flat on the bush, moving his head from side to side.Ilet out a sigh.GuessIshould drop him off at the hospital.Itwouldn’t look good forPoppyif he died on the property.However,Ihad one small matter to attend to first.
Leavingthe balcony,Iwalked through the door connecting the two rooms.Poppywas under the blanket, having changed into a black tank top.Aspredicted, she was fast asleep withNeilin her arms.Therewas an ache to return to that bed and hold her for a few hours, but it had to wait.
Iwent throughPoppy’sdesk drawer but didn’t find whatIwas looking for.Next,Isearched her nightstand drawer and found the birth control pills shoved inside.Ipulled out the packets and pocketed them.
Next,Itook a selfie withPoppyandNeilsleeping soundly on the bed, ensuring her desk was innocuously visible in the background.Beforetexting her the photo,Ipicked up her phone, bypassed herPIN, and toyed with the settings.Ilaughed upon noticing that she’d saved my number asBadNews.
Tearingmyself away from them,Istrode toPoppy’sdesk.Itwas time to initiate the next phase of the plan.Ihad hoped to easePoppyinto it, but her grandmother left me no choice by sanctioningParis’sentry into this house.Theasshole returned afterIintervened and afterPoppyturned him down.Playinginterception would no longer suffice.Hermother hosted too many events for their tight-knit community while banning outsiders.IfnotParis, one of her family’s other picks would replace him, and unfortunately, it wouldn’t be me.Iwould never be their choice for the reasonsPariscited, which didn’t leave me with many options.
Neveragain will fuckers have access to what’s mine because it’sPoppy’slast night in this house.
Withcareful deliberation,Ipopped open the frame on her desk and took out the picture ofPoppywith her parents, looking miserably happy.Itwas the last surviving memento from their yearly vacations.Takingit away brought me no joy, butIhad to pour gasoline on the fire to ignitePoppy’swrath.Itwould break the restraint she exercised aroundZaneandPiya.
Carefulnot to wrinkle the old photo,Islipped out ofPoppy’sroom with one last glance at my serenity.
Onemore night.
ChapterNineteen
POPPY
Itwasfive a.m. whenIblinked awake to a toddler and a text fromDamon.
