Page 97 of Victorious Vice

The nubs are growing. I did like how I looked with false eyelashes on last night.

“We made more than enough to rent office space and hire a skeleton staff to get things started,” she says. “Then the money you and I are putting in from our trust funds gets us a good start on helping to fund research and giving grants to people in need.”

“It’s all going to be fundraising, isn’t it?” I ask.

“That’s kind of what nonprofits are all about, Ray. Surely you thought this through when you went through all of it.”

“I did.” I rub my eyes. “Don’t mind me. I’m just exhausted.”

She pats my hand. “Of course you are. You’re still in recovery mode. That’s why Emily and I are doing all the footwork. Right?”

“Yeah, right.”

I hate lying to my sister.

I hate lying, period.

“So where did you go last night?” Robin asks. “You were gone for a while.”

I swallow. “I just…needed to get away from the crowds. You understand.”

“I do.” She nods. “We all think it’s amazing that you took this on. Right after coming out of recovery.”

“I’m fine. I’m cancer free, as they say.”

“You’re in remission, Ray.”

“Potato po-tah-to. Whatever.”

“I’ll let you get some rest.” Robin gives me a quick hug. “You planned a great gala.”

“Youplanned it.”

“All right. But it was your idea.” She grabs my hand, squeezes it. “This is your brain child, Ray. You need to take some credit for yourself. That gala was amazing. Your speech brought people to tears.”

“Thanks, Robbie.”

She leaves the room, closing the door behind her.

I grab my purse and pull out my cell phone along with the burner phone that the fake Uber driver gave me.

I read through all the texts.

The texts on my phone, threatening me.

And the texts on the burner phone, warning me.

Then I pull out the velvet box that contains the pendant I won in the silent auction.

I turn it over, rub my fingers over the engraving, reading the message once again.

Even the raven can’t fly forever. Sooner or later, it comes home to die.

I should be more frightened than I am.

But right now, all I want is to fall asleep again.

Even though I was plagued again by nightmares last night.

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