Page 53 of His Black Onyx

I'm terrified by the prospect, especially because it makes so much sense to me.

Because how could I deserve any better? After what I put her through? After what I've done to Malia and everyone else who is close to me? I never trusted that I would have my own happily ever after, but I’m even more devastated about the fact that she’s the one who has to pay the price for all of this. Malia is the most kind-hearted, loyal, and devoted friend anyone could ever ask for—and now she has to live through this horror, while I'm the one who is blessed with riches, married to the man of my dreams.

I hear the sound of the lock to our door turning behind my back and I jump up immediately, almost propelling the untouched food to the floor as I bump into the table on my way to the door.

Jayson has been with the police all morning, taking advantage of his connections to be involved in the investigation as much as they will allow. I didn't expect him to be back this early, and the fact that he walks through the door right now could be either very good or very bad news.

"Anything?" I ask, scurrying toward him, clinging to close the bathrobe that's wrapped around my body.

He sighs tiredly, looking just as rough as I feel. There are dark shadows beneath his eyes and concern is knitted across every inch of his face.

He doesn't smile at me, but he doesn't look like he's about to deliver bad news, either.

"We may have something," he says. "But I'm not sure whether it's good news or bad news."

I step closer to him then, torn between relief and distress as I await his news.

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