Page 48 of Forever Filthy

I shrug. “I think they have been watching me. This fucker knows my schedule. He’s left notes at Lividica, my house, the town hall and even posted one to David.”

“What else have they sent? What did he mean about you meeting a girl soon?” I shake my head.

“I don’t know what he meant about the girl but he has… he has killed before.” Nova slowly pushes up into a sitting position and faces me, searching my eyes. I know she is going to find the truth without me having to say a word.

“Lordess!” At the sound of one of my guards yelling my name I jump out of the bed, tear my door open and race to the landing peering over the edge to see Nial standing there with a pink box fitted with a beautiful pink bow on top. He doesn’t need to say anything else, I know what’s inside of that box.

“Vivian, what’s going on?” Nova asks as she follows me down the stairs. My suspicions have been proven correct, the very same day I kick my brother and the guys out a box arrives. He is watching me right now and that knowledge has my skin crawling and the hairs on the back of my neck raising.

“I’ve called David, he’s on his way,” Nial says. I nod and motion for him to place the box on the dining room table.

“Why are you calling David over a gift box?” Nova asks. I’m left with no choice but to tell her the truth. She’s going to witnesswhat is in that box herself in a few minutes so it's better I tell her now before she pieces it together herself.

“He sent me the head of the district attorney in a box exactly like this.” Her eyes widen and her mouth pops open. “He… Nova, I’m the one who told Vox that your mother was dead.”

She recoils as if I struck her. “What the fuck, Vivian?” she snaps. I try to reach for her but she steps back out of reach. “Why the fuck would you tell him that?”

“Because the DA wasn’t the onlygiftI received from him while I was away at CHU,” I say quietly. Nova looks from me to the box, I wait for her to grasp my meaning. Nial and I both remain silent, giving her the time and space she needs to come to terms with this. When she finally looks at me her eyes are brimming with unshed tears and my heart aches for my friend.

“You told Vox she was dead because he sent you my mom’s… he sent you… you have my mom’s… Oh God,” she cries out as she falls to her knees distraught. I rush forward and drop to my own before her and wrap my arms around my best friend. She screams and wails while I hold her tight, never once letting her go even when she tries to break free. “Mom!” Fuck, the raw pain in that one word is felt deep into my soul. My own mother is back in Washington helping Olivia search for Kelly, neither of them wanted to believe their friend was dead and still live in denial about it even though Vox has told them what happened.

“I swear, Nova, whoever is doing this will fucking pay,” I promise. My friend clings to me and soaks my shirt with her tears. I fight against the urge to call my brother. I know she won’t admit it but right now, she only wants him so I do the next best thing and pull my phone out and Facetime Vox. He answers on the third ring and the instant he hears Nova sobbing his face morphs into one of unfiltered rage.

“Who the fuck hurt her?” he snarls.

“I did,” I admit, for the first time in my life my brother stares at me like I am a stranger. Never once has he ever faced me with a look filled with malice until now.

“What the fuck did you do?” he asks in a clipped tone.

“I received another package tonight, I had no choice but to tell her about the… previous one I received.” His features sober instantly and worry enters his blue eyes.

“Is she okay?” I turn the camera so he can see her crumpled against me. “Witch?” His tone is filled with anguish. Nova slowly lifts her head and the instant she sees my brother a sob tears out of her.

“Vox,” she calls for him.

“I’m coming, witch. Hang on, baby.” She instantly shakes her head and swipes her face to wipe her tears.

“No. I’ll be okay… just, don’t hang up, okay?” she begs.

“Never, baby. I’ll stay on the phone as long as you need me too,” he promises. Before I hand the phone to her, I help her to her feet then turn the camera to me. Vox still looks pissed off and I know it's because I forced them to leave.

“I’m sending her upstairs, she doesn’t need to see this,” I tell him. “Stay on the phone with her.” I don’t wait for him to respond, I hand Nova the phone. “I’m so sorry, I’ll be up there as soon as I can.” She nods and takes the phone from my hand and heads upstairs looking like she has the weight of the world on her shoulders.

“Is my brother with you?” I hear her ask just as David walks through the front door. The moment he and I lock eyes a silent conversation happens. We both know for certain now that whoever is doing this is one of the members which means we can’t trust anyone aside from ourselves. I can’t even trust the lawyers I have tasked with getting Alexander out of jail now.

“Have you opened it?”

“No, we waited for you.” David seems to only notice Nial then and nods a hello before stepping up to the edge of the table. My breath lodges in my throat as he undoes the bow. When it falls away, a small pink note can be seen. David looks at me but doesn't make a move to grab the note. I square my shoulders and keep my head held high as I tentatively reach out and grasp the small postcard size note.

I wonder if she would take those vermin as well as you?

I guess we won’t get the chance to find out.

Nowhere you go, nowhere you hide will be safe from me.

I know your every move.

I read the note aloud, refusing to feel ashamed about the first part of the note, I regret nothing. As David reaches out to remove the lid, I stop him with my words.

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