Page 48 of Undone

“We don’t know yet,” Garcia said gently, cutting in. “But these details—they’re specific. We thought they might resonate with you.”

I pressed my lips together, unsure how to respond.

These weren’t random decisions John made on a whim. Nothing ever was with him. He’d always been methodical, precise in the way he handled people, his career, every detail of his life.

Lilah’s expression hardened, her eyes narrowing slightly as she shifted on her feet. “After I heard about the tattoo, I feared this would be the case,” she said. “He’s fixated on you, for some reason.”

“He knew everything about me. He knew my likes, my fears, the things that made me feel safe. And now he’s going to use that against me, isn’t he?” My voice sounded foreign.

Agent Roberts leaned forward, the wrinkles in his face deepening. “This could be his way of trying to communicate with you, or maybe it’s a form of psychological manipulation. Either way, it’s clear that you are central to whatever plan he has.”

The room felt smaller, suffocating almost. John was someone I’d trusted, someone I’d loved. And now, all of that—every vulnerable part of me—was being weaponized against me in the worst possible way. My stomach dropped, the tea I barely touched churning in my stomach.

Dorian’s hand swept gently against my thigh, so slight, so subtle that no one else would have noticed. But it was enough of something to hold onto.

“Anything unusual, any increase in aggression in the months leading up to this?” Agent Garcia asked.

I drew in a steadying inhale. “He used to ask me to come with him on business trips, but I couldn’t just drop everything. At first, he was fine with it, but over time, he started getting upset, trying to guilt me into going. It didn’t feel right, but I didn’t think much of it until… Ugh, why is he dragging me into this?”

Garcia’s face softened, but her eyes remained intent, unwavering.

“Does he know you were planning to move to Woodstone?” Lilah asked.

“No,” I replied. “I didn’t decide to move until after.”

“Good,” she said, her tone firm. “Stay vigilant. Always be aware of your surroundings. It seems like his recent victims have been further away, which is good. He might not know you're here."

“We’ll make sure she’s safe,” Dorian said. His gaze moved to Colt, seeking reassurance.

“That’s how family works,” Colt replied.

For a moment, tears pricked the back of my eyes. This town—these people—they were becoming a haven I never thought I’d find outside the city.

SEVENTEEN

Dorian - August

I’M STILL FINE - THE RED CLAY STRAYS

As we stoodin the doorway, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her. She carried herself with such strength despite all that surrounded her.

The agents questioned Noah for over an hour, dissecting her relationship with John like surgeons, peeling back layers she’d spent so long trying to seal. She’d agreed to the questioning, wanting him locked up, but watching her relive those memories unsettled something in me. Every time she spoke about it, I felt like I was selfishly unraveling right alongside her.

“Thank you for your time,” Lilah said as she turned toward the others. Her voice carried a polite detachment, though there was something softer in the way she looked at Noah.

“Detective Dodge,” Colt said to Lilah, his voice curt as he nodded.

“Detective James.” Her jaw tightened, but she held his gaze for a moment before turning on her heels to follow the agents out.

“I’m headed out, too,” he said, giving Noah a brief but meaningful nod. “Take care.”

His footsteps faded into silence, leaving us alone in the doorway. Noah stood still beside me, arms crossed and gaze far away.

I turned and took the opportunity to observe her, trying to understand how she managed to hold it all together. She was so good at hiding it—like she could push everything down and not let it affect her relationships with the people she cared about. She was always so present for Gracie, Dotty, even me. But I’d seen the cracks before. I’d been there when she couldn’t hold it together—like months ago in the hospital, even when we barely knew each other. And later, when she let the weight of it all show for a moment before locking it away again.

But seeing her like this, distant and lost in thought, I realized just how much she was carrying and how much she did alone.

And I hated it.

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