Page 58 of Marigold Run

And I suddenly don’t want Tonia to leave anymore.

“I take it, you know them?” I ask, trying to think of an unsuspicious way to ask the beta where that apartment complex is.

“Unfortunately, I do,” Tonia says flatly. “When you’ve been in this business as long as I have, you get to know everyone.”

“That makes sense.” I lean toward her, giving her my undivided attention, but that’s where my plan ends. I’m stuck on what to say next.

“Cardis and Andros Contos are the kind of alphas I try not to mix with,” Tonia continues. “Unfortunately, that’s my job. Mr. Silva works with all kinds. They come through these halls, conducting business and sharing stories.”

I nod, hoping she’ll keep talking until I can figure out how to tactfully get the information I need from her.

“We used to see Andros around these parts more often.” She points at Ponytail. “But thankfully, he and his brother moved out of the Village Greens a few years back so he doesn’t come around anymore. I actually think they bulldozed that place a few years back. Built some condos in its place.”

I completely deflate at that, back at square one. “I’m glad they don’t bug you anymore,” I say, flopping back in my chair.

“I’m just glad they don’t harass Dassy anymore!” Tonia lifts the duffle bag, acting like it’s filled with bricks.Is money really that heavy?“The best thing that happened for Dassy, waswhen Donovan Tenus gathered his whole damn pack, Cardis and Andros included,” she says as if I might have guessed otherwise, “and moved the whole damn bunch to the lake out past Cresthill.”

Holy shit.

Did she really tell me where to find Cardis?

I can’t move, or breathe, or even think. I just stare up at Tonia as she keeps chatting away.

“Honestly, Donovan has no idea what he’s doing. He tries to copy what Mr. Silva does.” The beta gives me a pointed look, telling me how horrible she thinks Donovan is. “The idiot only moved out there because he thinks people with money live out in the country, but the truth is people with money live all over.”

“Yeah.” I nod as Tonia’s vibrant energy grows.

“Hell, between this house, the apartment in the city, and his vacation homes, I think Izan owns four or five properties.”

“Really?” I blurt out, unable to hide my shock. But also very thankful for the change in subject. It will look more natural if Izan comes bursting in. “This place is freaking huge. It’s got to have cost a fortune, but he ownsmorehomes?”

Tonia lets out a swift laugh, and a door somewhere in the hallway slams shut. Her smile fades, and her hands curl around the duffle bag’s strap even tighter. She’s definitely not supposed to be in here.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Mari.” Tonia gives me a vibrant smile, which I quickly return. “Be good,” she says loudly, before shutting the door behind her.

“Thank. You. Tonia,” I whisper as I reach for the laptop once again. I do a quick search on the lake near Cresthill. And just like that, directions to a city that’s only twenty miles away appear on the screen. And there’s a small lake on the southern border.

My fingers tremble with excitement as I click print, then I hold my breath, praying the map doesn’t print in some otherpart of the house. Thankfully, a printer whirls to life on the bookshelf across the room, and I rush to it.

The paper is warm and smells like fresh ink. I quickly fold it, stuffing it up my sleeve so it curls around my wrist.

And now the real planning begins.

I need to gather supplies, plan my escape, and make my way into the trees. I turn, looking out the window at the snow-capped mountains. It’s been a few years, but I still remember how to survive out there. And there’s no point in putting it off. I have to get the hell out of here so I can find my brother.

Doubt creeps in, and a restless thought jumps to the front of my mind—what if I never find Cardis? What if all of this is a waste of time, and I die, never getting my revenge?

“Stop it, Mari,” I whisper to myself as I plop back into Izan’s chair. “You have to do this. You owe it to Stefan.”

Deep sadness pools in my belly and tears burn the back of my eyes.

“I’ll make them pay,” I say, smoothing my hand over the paper tucked under my sleeve. “Even if it’s the last thing I do. I’ll make every single one of them pay.”

In the Game Room

Dassy

“You look sad, little beta,” I snuggle up next to Everly on the couch. She’s been sitting wrapped up like a burrito for the last hour, watching me play video games.

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