Page 252 of Remy

I spit out the plastic and grab Hugo’s jaw as he panics for breath, his face sickeningly pale. People will learn of what I’m about to do. They’ll understand that I’d only known of a verbal threat to Ollie, and that slight intimidation was enough for this man to forfeit his life.

The world will hear how I protect her.

How I cherish her.

Even if she’s not mine.

I stab the needle into Hugo’s thigh and plunge the liquid into his system.

His eyes widen to saucers. His mouth continues to gape like he’s a beached fish.

“Well,” I drawl. “Consider this spaced prick well and truly surprised.”

43

OLIVIA

“I’m going to ruin your life, Olivia. Just you wait and see.”

Hugo’s threat plays on a continuous loop in my head, the barrage only adding to the weight of instability surging through me.

He knows about the illegal misuse of the retort.

He might not have specifics, but he’s accumulated enough educated guesses to be on the mark.

The problem is, the threat of prison isn’t the epitome of my concern. Yes, it’s up there on the list. Pretty high in fact. But the thought of being arrested and spending my life behind bars comes in second place when I think about Remy and all that’s left unsaid between us if we don’t face each other again.

I need to talk to him. And not only in the hopes he can get me out of the Hugo situation. It’s so much more than that. I just can’t bring myself to go in search of him when the thought of him turning his back has me tied in knots.

“Hey, hon.” Ivy slides onto the ornate park bench beside me. “Can we talk about some of the people who attended…?” She cocks her head to take a better look at me, her brow furrowing. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Everything.

“It doesn’t seem like nothing.” She grabs my hands, clasping them with hers in my lap. “You’re shaking.”

Am I?

I don’t feel it.

The constantly building ache in my chest paired with the increased threat of nausea doesn’t leave room to notice much else.

“Why don’t we go to the staff break room and get some privacy for a little while?” Ivy pushes to her feet, the long lengths of her black dress swishing around her calves as she drags my hands with her.

“No, I…” I shake my head, unable to move from fear of throwing up. “Maybe later.”

She’s quiet a moment, the excited chatter of so-called mourners in the wake room filling the void.

“Liv, what’s going on?”

I scoff a manic laugh.

Well, both my parents are dead.

I’m going to spend the rest of my life in prison.

And the icing on the cake is that despite all that upheaval, the only thing I can think about is Remy.

Where he is.

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