Page 63 of Sinful Little Lies

When I walked in here, he was calm, cool, and collected. Now he’s losing his shit over eating an asshole that deserved to die. Granted, I guess everyone would like to know when they’re eating human meat, but Greer is an asshole too so by simple process of elimination, it was information that I didn’t feel the need to disclose.

“We were supposed to leave together, you fucking idiot!” Greer yells as he whips a gun from underneath his belt and points it in my direction.

“What are you talking about, man? I’m not playing some decoder game with you. How do you know Leo and why is his death so important to you? Did he owe you money?” I probe, annoyed that I’m going in circles with Greer of all people.

His face twists as if I asked him the most ridiculous question. “No, he didn’t owe me money. Leo was…my boyfriend.” Greer admits.

“Your what?” I question, my jaw falls slack because of the absolute wrecking ball he just sent my way.

“No more questions. Enough is enough.” His finger squeezes the trigger and a sharp pain radiates throughout my shoulder and along my chest.

Eli’s voice sounds through the earpiece. “Grimm, are you okay? Who are you there with? Who’s Greer? Do I need to send backup?”

I fall back against the wall for stability. The tapping of Greer’s soles against the floor sound throughout the room and get closer, and closer, and closer, until he’s at my feet. “I’ve hatedyou for such a long time, you know that? Our family would have been perfect if it wasn’t for you. Our mom wouldn’t have missed out on so much of our lives. You drove her away. You and your deadbeat cunt of a mother.” He shoves a finger into the wound on my shoulder. “You took away my mother and you took away the one fucking person I loved.”

I’m so fucking confused.

“So that’s why you’re following us around? Because Leo got what he deserved? I’m not fucking following. Why was he so goddamn important to you?” I question, once again.

“He was going to leave her!” He screams, the echo of his voice booming throughout the room. “He was tired of hiding. Tired of using her as a cover. His anger was taking over him more days than it wasn’t. We just wanted to be happy. We just wanted to be together.” The barrel of the gun touches my forehead. “But you fucked it all up by trying to play the hero. He wouldn’t have done anything that bad to her. She would have survived with a few scratches and a good story to tell her fucking kids. But it’s a life for a life so either you die, or she does.”

39

VERENA

It’s beenhours and Grimm hasn’t given me any update on Flame.

I hope she’s okay. I hope she didn’t get into an edible or something. I’d be the worst fucking dog mom if she got into an edible. Grimm would never trust me again. Is that why he hasn’t answered? Because something terrible happened and I can’t be trusted?

I rush home, my long legs making themselves useful to trek across campus and back to my unit quickly. When I open the front door, I sprint to my room to find both of the dogs laying comfortably on their respective beds. Flame’s food and water bowls are empty, a sign that she did in fact eat her food and may be feeling better. I refill her water and give her some pets while I try to get into contact with Grimm. It’s not like him to not come through, even for the simplest of favors.

Finding his contact, I dial his number and it rings for a minute before prompting me to leave a voicemail. Repeating the process, I leave him four voicemails before my annoyance turns into worry.

My books fall on my bed and I snatch my purse before bolting out the front door and racing over to the RSB house. When Iarrive, I scurry over to the garage door and peak inside the clear window. I notice his blacked out McLaren is missing from the garage.So if he isn’t here or with the dogs, where the fuck would he be?

Losing my patience, I make my rounds to peak in through various windows before finally giving up and pounding on the front door. A moment later it swings open and Eli stands in its frame. “Oh, perfect! You’re here! I need your-”

He cuts me off, “Yeah, doesn’t fucking everybody. Get in the car, we’ll talk on the way.” His shoulder brushes mine and I follow him to the car.

“Hey, minus the attitude. I’m just looking for Grimm.” I spit back.

“We have to go save his ass.” He retorts.

We? Save? His ass? When the fuck did I transport myself into a Marvel movie?

“What the hell is going on?” I ask as Eli tosses his car keys to me.

“I need you to drive. I’ll tell you what I know. But you need to focus, Verena. It’s the only way we’ll be able to help him.” Eli says, and my heart thumps so loudly his voice begins to fade into a soft mumble.

He saved my life, it’s only right I try to save his, no matter what demons I have to battle first.

40

VERENA

We’re speedingdown the highway in Eli’s Lamborghini, and he’s repeating to me everything he hears in his earpiece. What I’ve gathered so far is:

1. Grimm’s brother, Greer, has been following us around, taking pictures and mailing them to Grimm.

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