Page 69 of Deadly Rival

First, check his story. I wake my computer and set to work. Ten nauseating minutes later, I have my answer.

That bastard. That fucking bastard. I picture Maggie laughing over some stupid joke I can’t remember, and a dangerous wave of misery threatens to sweep away my resolve.

Don’t think about her. Just move.

Good idea.

I set off, making myself walk instead of run. Jacob has a bloodhound nose for trouble, and he’ll be suspicious already. I need a story to get him out of my way, fast. By the time I reach my door, I’ve come up with a plan.

Showtime.

Three pairs of eyes land on me as I open the door. Ophelia, Quinn, and—to my surprise—Jacob are all settled on the sofa. Quinn grins as I enter. “Hey! You’re just in time for the good part. Ophelia loves horror movies, too.”

My smile feels painted on. “Good. Jacob, could I have a word?”

His brow creases as he gets to his feet. “Sure thing, mate.”

He follows me into the corridor. “What’s happened?”

I press my hand to my forehead. “I…it’s just…” I clench my fists and take a deep breath. “I’m really fucking this up. She’s never going to be ready for the ceremony. We’ve hardly practiced, and I’m freaking out. I can’t do this.”

“Fuck that shit.” Jacob grips my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “You can do it mate. Get to work right now. Spend the afternoon practicing with her.”

I glance toward the door. “I don’t know. She’s having fun with Quinn.”

“Doesn’t matter. Plenty of time for that later. We’ll get out of your hair so you can get stuck in. You’ll be fine.”

I nod. “You’re right. Thanks, man.”

“No problem. Come on. Let’s break up the party.”

Minutes later, the door shuts behind Jacob and Quinn. I wait, counting in my head. Give it time. Make sure they aren’t coming back.

“Sebastian?” Ophelia’s nervous voice is a knife in my chest. “What is it?”

I turn to face her and ask the question that’s been burning me up. “Did you know? Did you know what your brother did?”

Twenty-Nine

Ophelia

Sebastian looks like someonejust showed him his own death. From the moment the door shut, the thin veneer of normalcy he’s been wearing cracks. His sharply angled face only enhances the pallor of his skin, but his eyes are the worst—dull, lacking the sparkle I hadn’t realized I liked until it disappeared.

And his words fill me with sick, coiling dread. Do I know what my brother did? Not even a tenth of it, and what I do know still sickens me. He’s nothing like my father, with his twisted but still strong sense of right and wrong. Harrison is a snake, and whatever Sebastian thinks he’s done, I’m sure he’s done worse.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say gently, wary of unleashing the rage below the surface. I’ve had many years of practice tiptoeing around angry men. Be calm. Be quiet. Don’t trigger them with a shrill tone or a harsh word.

“Maggie! Did you know? Did you know he—”

Sebastian breaks off, face twisting as he turns away. I wish it were difficult for me to put together the pieces, but it isn’t. My pig of a brother has always had a thing for younger girls—he went after enough of my friends growing up. But understandingdoesn’t make it any less revolting. “Oh no. I’m sorry, Sebastian. He’s disgusting.”

“He got her pregnant!” Sebastian spins to face me, eyes wild. “He’s the reason she killed herself. Not you. It was never you.”

His words hit, and I stagger backward, hand pressed to the hole in my chest that just opened wide. Pregnant? He got her pregnant? The world tips, and I stumble to a chair before I fall. I can feel Sebastian’s gaze boring into me, and when I meet his shiny eyes, he whispers, “You didn’t know.”

It’s not a question, but I shake my head anyway. “No. I’m sorry. That’s—”

“Stop apologizing for him!” The snap in his voice makes me flinch. “I punished you when I should have—”

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