Page 151 of Remy

Of course she reverted to stalking. This woman doesn’t learn. “Remind me to tell Carlo to remove that app from his phone.”

“I was worried. You can’t fault me for that.”

“You can trust me with your father.” I reach the large expanse of Hillcrest Park, the dark of night making the deserted grassland seem inviting. I pull to the curb, dread poisoning my veins, and climb out before she can ask more questions.

I have two seconds of freedom from her sweet strawberry scent before she follows, her arms wrapped around her middle, her face shadowed as she stops before me, blinking those emotional eyes with the slightest furrow to her brow.

“Tell me,” she begs.

“There was a medical conference in the city over the weekend.” I walk past her, unable to withstand the shot of fear that crosses her features, and lead us along the trail into the moonlit park. “I called in some favors.”

“What sort of favors?” She hustles to catch up, the maintained proximity making me thrum to do things I shouldn’t.

“Ones that involve the best oncologist in the country.”

She falls quiet.

Good.

It means she’s changing gears, finally recognizing that this has nothing to do with my family or breaking the law and everything to do with her father’s lacking health.

“I made sure Dr. Nguyen made time to see Carlo before he left town.”

She remains silent, her head lowering as she frowns at the footpath.

I’m sure some would celebrate having access to the best medical professionals. But not Ollie—she’s too busy putting the puzzle pieces together.

“Does my dad know you’re telling me this?” she whispers.

“No.” I turn to face her.

The glow from the streetlights doesn’t reach us here. There’s only the moon and stars left to illuminate her bleak expression as the slight breeze glides loose strands of hair from her braid.

“Then why tell me now when it sounds like you’ve kept his secrets all along?”

Because when it comes to her, my best skill is fucking up, and it seems I’m at the height of my career. “Things have changed.”

She scans my face with hesitation, as if trying to find the answers before they’re spoken. To read the truth in case she doesn’t want to hear it out loud.

“Do you want to know, Ollie?”

“I…” She licks her lips and glances away. “Obviously it’s bad news.”

“I don’t have to tell you if you don’t want?—”

“No. I need to know.” Her voice breaks.

My fucking savagery does, too.

This wasn’t meant to happen. Just like every other moment with Ollie should never have existed.

I planned to take Carlo to the oncologist, then deliver him home without drama.

I was supposed to maintain my distance from her for the sake of my family.

I should never have lied for her. Killed for her.

But when it comes to this woman I fail at every turn.

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