Page 100 of Cold Hard Truth

She smiles at me. “I really do need to go, and not just because I can’t listen to my brother and my best friend have any more sex.”

Mason laughs again because I’m sure he’s been hearing it too.

“Fine.” I release Reed’s hand.

Reed grabs her purse, and Mason climbs off the couch to meet her at the front door.

“Later, Reed.” Mason stops in front of her, and they look nervous.

Reed’s cheeks burn bright red as Mason pulls her in for a hug, which has Sage’s whole body stiffening.

“Bye, Mason.” Reed hugs him quickly, pulling back and clearing her throat as she watches him disappear back into the living room from the corner of her eyes.

Sage opens his mouth like he’s about to say something, so I squeeze his hand and stop him.

“It’s fine.” I roll my eyes.

His mouth snaps shut, even if it does nothing to wash the irritation from his face.

Sage and I walk over to where Reed stands at the front door, and he lets go of my hand to open it. But when he does, we’re met with a black box sitting on the doorstep. It’s odd, considering there’s a gate at the bottom of the stairs to keep people out.

“What’s this?” Reed reaches for the tag and then glances up at me. “It’s for you, Lyla. Looks like my brother has some competition.”

But Sage doesn’t smile. His eyes haven’t left the gift, and his shoulders are tense as he reaches down and picks it up.

He and I both know he doesn’t have competition and that this isn’t a present. But he doesn’t say anything to Reed for the same reason I don’t. We don’t want her to worry.

“I’ll try to make a trip back soon,” Reed says, giving me a final hug. “You’ll still be here hopefully?”

I nod, even if I’m not sure, meeting Sage’s eyes when I do.

“Good,” she cheers, then turns to Sage and hugs him as best as she can when he’s holding the box. “Be good to her.”

“Like he has a choice.”

“Fair point.” Reed grabs her bag and gives us a final wave before disappearing.

Sage carries the box inside and shuts the door, and I follow him to the counter. Mason doesn’t give it a second glance as he sets his bowl in the sink and disappears down the hall to his room.

“Who’s it from?” I ask Sage when he opens the note on top.

“Doesn’t say.”

But the look on his face tells me he has some guesses.

Sage unties the ribbon, and it slowly falls away as he opens the gift. It’s no larger than a box of roses, but when he peels back the lid, flowers aren’t what’s inside.

My heart seizes and all the air leaves my chest as I look down at the item in the box.

“Wings.” I take a step back.

My vision blurs, moving in and out as I stare at the fake set of angel wings. They’re sitting in a bed of rose petals and drenched in blood. I don’t know if it’s human or animal. But the metallic scent triggers my memories, dragging me back to the basement, so I know it’s real.

There’s no denying what’s sitting in front of me.

Someone is determined to finish what they started.

32

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