Page 85 of Devil's Thirst

Clearly.

I look at Amelie and beg her to get us out of here. I hate feeling like a circus act on display.

She nods and looks at her sister. “You mind hanging onto Freya for a few minutes while Sante and I go talk?”

“Of course, not. You go.”

Seconds later, it’s over, and we’re finally alone in the hallway. I breathe a heavy sigh.

“What just happened in there, Mel? What did you think I meant that had you so upset?”

She chews her bottom lip anxiously. “Let’s go back downstairs, and I’ll tell you everything.”

Her choice of words has me bracing for impact. What the hell is there to explain that we have to go downstairs for privacy? I don’t like it. At all. I can’t imagine what this is about, but I’m about to find out.

CHAPTER 40

AMELIE

I don’t knowhow I could have been so wrong when what Sante had said fit so well, like when a puzzle piece is the perfect fit, but the image doesn’t line up at all. Once he revealed the full picture, it was obvious I’d made a huge mistake.

I’m glad it happened, though, because it was the one last push I needed to finally end the secrecy. After I tell Sante, everyone will know the truth. I’ll have nothing more to hide. I can sense the weightlessness of relief waiting for me, just out of my reach. To get there, I’ll have to strip myself bare one more time and pray the outcome is worth it.

I lead us into the living room and sit on the sofa. It’s been a rough twelve hours for us both, and if we have to go through one more traumatic unveiling, the least we can do is be comfortable. Sante sits with his body angled toward mine, one arm resting on the back cushions.

“Tell me what’s going on, Mel. Why did you think I’d broken things off with you?”

“When you got upset about people keeping secrets and it leading to bad decisions, I thought you’d uncovered the one last secret I’d been keeping. I thought you’d found out, and it made you realize coming back for me was a mistake.”

His face twists as though he’s taken a bite of something bitter. “What kind of secret could possibly create that sort of fear?”

“It’s not a secret anymore. I’ve told Lina, and before I tell you, I understand if it changes things for you. Really.”

“You’re kinda pissing me off, Mellie. Tell me what this is about, so I can tell you how wrong you are.”

I nod and take a deep breath of confidence. “When I saw Talbot and ran, it wasn’t before. It was … after.”

God, I don’t want to say it.

I don’t want him to look at me differently, even if it’s pity in his eyes rather than disgust.

“After…” His piercing stare roots me to the spot while he processes my words. “After he raped you,” Sante finally says, his voice clinical and cold.

I slowly nod.

He gives a single nod in return and stands from the sofa. My heart plummets to the floor thinking he’s leaving, but he detours to the hall closet instead where he stashed his empty duffel bag. He roots around, then stands, now holding a black handgun.

I leap to my feet and rush over to him. “Sante,pleasedon’t do this. I know you’re upset, but—”

“No buts. That piece of shit doesn’t deserve his next breath.” He’s absolutely livid.

“He doesn’t, but he also doesn’t deserve an easy out. Please, just listen to me.”

He sets aside his fury long enough to hear me out.

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, and with Lina telling me she’d rather her video be out than men like Talbot go free, I’ve decided that I don’t want him dead. I want him exposed. I think he should have to suffer the same as his victims. Have his world stripped away with him powerless to do anything about it.”

Sante sets down the gun on the nearby counter and brings his hands to either side of my face. The fury in his stare has calmed to tender adoration. “Do you have any idea how incredible you are?”

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