Page 32 of The Dirty Saint

As I press the elevator button, the only thing I can think about is the deal I made with Michael Santo. Ezra’s confession and her life in exchange for my mother’s cancer treatments being paid for. I agreed before I met the soldier and before I got the chance to know that she isn’t quite the monster she has been made out to be.

I don’t know what to do. I’ve never had trouble carrying out my tasks in the past. I’ve killed, and I’ve shed blood, and I’ve never looked back. Not even once.

But I get the sneaking suspicion that that won’t be the case with Lieutenant Maya.

8

Chapter Eight

After

EZRA

Telling Addison’s parents about her death hurt in ways I never could have fathomed. Hearing their cries, hearing their sobs— it broke pieces of me that I thought were already broken.

So, once again, here I am attempting to drink my problems away.

Or at least that’s what I’m hoping happens.

“What the hell happened toyou?”

I whip my head around to find my sister with her best friend, Jessa Keaton.

“Hello to you too, Jess,” I take another sip. “I would ask how you’re doing, but I don’t really give a shit.”

Jess shoots me a look and I wink.

“Jess and I just wanted to say hi since we were in the neighborhood,” my sister says cheerfully.

I nod.

“Sure you were.”

Jess rolls her eyes. “I told you she was just gonna be an ass.”

I smile. “Well it beats being a homewrecker and a whore.”

Aurelia laughs at that one.

Jess? Not so much.

“I don’t see a ring onyourfinger,” she snaps.

“Jessa—”

“No, no, Aurelia, let her talk. Keep going, Jess. Come into my home and insult me even further.”

Her nostrils flare out, and I finish my glass of wine.

“That’s what I thought.”

I gave Aurelia a key to my home, and now I wish I would have taken it back.

“Where’d you go?” I ask my sister, ignoring her angry friend.

“We went to Lex’s, and then later tonight, we are going to Lester’s.”

“Sounds like a fun night,” I say.

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