Page 84 of Pretty Poisoned

I'm not sure what he means by that, but I don't ask. There's another question on the tip of my tongue.

"Did you kill him?" I whisper into his chest.

"Yes," he says, then kisses the top of my head. "I was angry, and it was impulsive, and that's not me. It wasn't bloody, itwasn't even that satisfying. I shouldn't have done it, but I wanted to get your attention. Did it work?"

"Yes."

"Good," he says. "Butthatdoesn't scare you, does it, Teagan? I know about you—about your origin story."

"You mean…what I told Luca?"

He nods. "And the parts you didn't. I know your boyfriend killed his girlfriend in high school."

"It was a car accident."

"It was intentional. An if-I-can't-have-you-no-one-can kind of thing. Right?"

I shrug.

"And what about the couple in the cabin? Did you help him kill them, or did you just watch?"

"Neither. I was in the hallway. I didn't watch."

"But you fucked him afterward? Right?"

I don't answer. But he's right—I did fuck him afterward.

"You and I are not that different, Teagan. When you finally let go, you'll see that."

Eventually, without saying a word, he picks up that book and starts reading again. I take mine from my bag and do the same.

The drive to Portland is about three hours; I spend each of them like this—in bed with Declan, in this odd, almost comfortable silence.

Luca is never quiet. I always know exactly what he's thinking because he tells me. I don't think I'll ever know what Declan is thinking; I'll never know what he wants.

And if what he wants is just to get under my skin, he fucking got it. I don't think there's much I can do about it now except ride it out.

When we finally get to the hotel, we don't have long before the guys have to be at the venue—just enough time to check in and get everything moved upstairs. Luca takes my hand in theelevator, and I follow him into a suite on the ninth floor. Shortly after, there's a knock on the door. Luca opens it, and Declan steps inside.

"Are you ready to go?" he asks.

Luca sighs before answering. "Yeah, I fucking guess. If you want to go now."

"You know I have that thing after the show tonight?" Declan says. "I want you to go with me."

Luca shrugs. "All right."

I'm not sure what it is, but I can tell Luca doesn't want to go.

"Bring Teagan," Declan says.

He laughs a little, looking between me and Declan. "You're kidding, right?"

Declan raises an eyebrow at him in response.

Luca shakes his head and scoffs. "No," he says. "No, I'm not doing that to her."

"It's not up for debate," Declan says. "She's coming."

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