Page 32 of Veil of Secrets

It doesn’t.

“Was this your plan?” I ask. “To follow me out here and make a scene?”

“I came looking.”

“For me?”

“Yes.”

“Because you thought I was going to fold?”

“No. Because I thought he might come back.”

That stills me.

“Why?”

“I got word.”

I turn.

He watches me calmly.

“You knew he was alive?”

“I knew he was circling.”

“You didn’t think to tell me?”

“I didn’t know how close he’d get.”

I shake my head. Step away again. The world tilts under my feet.

He doesn’t chase.

The chain around my neck clinks as I walk to the edge of the pier.

Tommy’s body is still slumped where it dropped. Blood pooled in the boards, warm in color even as the wind starts to dry it at the edges.

This isn’t a nightmare anymore.

It’s history.

And it’s done.

"You said we’re not alone in this," I say, not turning around. "But I don’t know what this is yet."

“Neither do I.”

We stand like that a long time.

Then I turn.

I face him fully.

He watches me like he always does—direct, unmoved.

"I’m not your girl,” I say.

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