Page 149 of The Silent Note

“You cannot seriously be asking me that question.”

“Grey lives in a different world than me. If I step into her universe the way things are, I’ll destroy it. I’m okay with burning our worlds down, but she isn’t.”

“Aw. Zane, that’s actually emotionally mature of you.” Cadey’s smile is soft and approving.

“Since when do you talk like that? Who the hell are you?” My brother looks horrified.

I smack him on the back.

The memory of Grey asking me to show her a world where she can love me rings in my head.

I’m going to do it.

Somehow.

All while I catch Sloane’s killer.

And find out who broke into our house.

And get Finn to admit what the hell is going on with him these days.

“Since when was Miss Jamieson so popular with the teachers? I thought they were all jealous of her?”

Cadey jumps at the voice.

Dutch narrows his eyes.

I grin when Sol appears beside me. After last night, it’s good to see him in a Redwood Prep sweater vest over a crisp white shirt and black pants. He looks more like the normal, non-murderous Sol I know. I can almost pretend last night never happened.

“Theyarejealous of her,” I inform him, grinning and massaging his shoulders.

It’s easy for me to joke around and pretend everything’s okay. I’ve been doing it all my life. Grey is the only one who’s ever called me out on it.

“But news got around that her mom is married to our dad,” I add. “So now she’s getting the Cross treatment.”

Sol’s eyes widen. “Whoa. You can finally say you two are step-siblings without breaking into tears!”

I feign a punch which he dodges with a smirk.

Back then, dad announcing his marriage to Grey’s mom felt like my world was crumpling. But now, it’s just a fact of life.

I can’t change that we’re step-siblings any more than I can change how I love her.

Grey is my wife.

I married her. Legally.

Dad’s plan to keep us apart failed.

“Dad must know you two are married by now,” Dutch says quietly. “Among other things. He’ll summon us soon.”

I shrug. “And we’ll be ready.”

He grunts.

I hear murmurs from the students passing by. For once, Redwood isn’t looking at us, but at someone behind us. I glance over my shoulder and see someone that instantly sets my teeth on edge.

“The hell?”

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