Page 55 of Savage Scream

I grin. “Is the vigilante in you going to do something to help her?”

She grins back and shrugs.

“The key to helping her is finding out why her olds have such a strong hold on her. Why the fuck they think it’s ok to force the marriage. And what the fuck they get out of it?”

Dee nods in agreement, and I know that even when she leaves this town next week, she will still make it her mission to try to help Abbey.

Even though the thought of Dee leaving makes my gut churn, the idea of her still helping people, potentially in my community, is something I can happily support.

As long as she remains safe.

“Ok, I told you a secret. Granted, it’s notmysecret to tell, but it’s what you agreed to.”

Dee silently giggles, giving me a nod before her face falls, and she licks her lips.

Shit.

Is she going to speak again?

Her lips part, but then snap shut, so I squeeze her hand, offering my support.

She tries again, licking her lips before parting them, and speaks the words I sure as shit didn’t expect.

“I killed Travis’ mum.”

16

DEE

The moment I drop that bomb of a secret, Cynthia calls us out for dinner, so like the coward I am, I bolt.

I’m a little annoyed that I didn’t get changed while Jared told me about Abbey, finding myself so engrossed with the mystery that surrounds her. So while everyone sits at the table in comfort, I’m still in my leotard, which is riding up my arse, and my dance tights are digging into my waist.

My saving grace is that I was able to throw a baggy black t-shirt over the top as I rushed out of my bedroom, so it doesn’t look like I’m sitting at the dinner table in a fucking swimsuit, but I do look like I don’t have any pants on.

Just great!

Jared is tense sitting next to me as we eat. He hasn’t said anything about my revelation, and I just know he’s questioning his choices right now.

He knew I killed for coin, but now he knows that I’m a murderer, too. And let me tell you, there is a difference between being a killer and being a murderer.

A killer, or in my case, an assassin, ends lives for the purpose of completing a job and earning money. A murderer, though, they kill for motive. Revenge. Self-gratification.

So now that Jared knows, I’m sure he must be hating on me. Freaking the hell out, wondering how he got tangled up in the mess that is my life.

I avoid looking at him as we eat. Well, everyone else eats. I pick at my food, my appetite practically non-existent all damn day.

A firm grip on my knee under the table breaks my thoughts, and I realise that my leg was jittery, jigging up and down. I don’t look at Jared, but his hand shifts from my now motionless knee to my hand under the table, and links fingers with mine.

Damn.

That simple act. That delicate touch of care breaks down the walls I’d started erecting the moment I fled from my room.

I sneak a glance at Jared, not able to stop the pull he has on me, and his ocean eyes catch mine, before he shoots me a wink.

Jesus. How can a wink mean so much?

What is happening to me?

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