Page 49 of Saint

Learning who was hiding behind the mask was supposed to answer all the questions tumbling around since that night on the side of the road. I assumed once I figured it out, I’d see this clearly. But as Kole walked away with Declan, slowly disappearing through the doors of the library, the void around me widened.

Kole Christiansen is Saint.

I don’t know what to make of that—of him. We’ve never spent any real time around each other, and he doesn’t pay me any more attention than the rest of Sigma Sin.

Kole was Liam’s best friend, and the couple of times we were in the same room, I avoided him because he gave me an unsettling feeling. He’s quiet, but everyone at school knows that doesn’t mean he’s any safer than the rest ofhis fraternity brothers. He’s violent when provoked. An on-and-off switch.

Like Saint.

My mind struggles to make sense of it.

Even if they are one and the same, Kole was Liam’s best friend. His fraternity brother. Someone Liam regarded as family.

They grew up together, and from what Liam told me, they knew everything about each other.

Why would Kole turn on him?

Kole is one of the few people Liam trusted. And even if Liam warned me to keep my distance, I thought it was only because he held that same stance with all the guys in Sigma Sin. I didn’t think he was a threat to me. And especially not to Liam.

Still, Kole slit his throat.

My head spins as I try to put the pieces together.

It’s been a few days since I realized Saint’s identity, and I still can’t process the information. My only saving grace is that Saint has been silent—not so much as a message on the app. And I’m thankful. Because right now, I don’t know how I’d respond if he did.

Wondering who Saint is and knowing his identity aren’t the same. While I thought figuring him out would make this simple because it would finally give me the leverage I’ve been searching for, I was wrong.

Learning the truth has only done the opposite.

If Saint really is Kole Christiansen, then going to the police about what he’s done won’t do me any good. Kole’sgrandfather is the police commissioner. His stepfather is the captain. The Christiansen family runs this town.

They donate to every charity and attend church every Sunday. The Christiansen name might as well be carved into the sign right beneath“Entering Bristal”with how they control this city.

If I walk into the police station and tell them what Kole did to Liam in the forest, it’ll be white noise by the time his family throws money and attorneys at my accusations. I’m nothing compared to them.

Insignificant.

An unimportant girl who’s attending Briar on a scholarship.

It’s my word against his, and he’s made it clear that he’s controlling the narrative of this story. Which now makes sense.

His impulse.

His actions.

Everything Kole has done, he’s done knowing he’ll get away with it.

But I refuse to go down without a fight. If Kole thinks he can hide behind the mask and not face any consequences, he’s wrong. I’m going to stop Saint, and to do that, I need proof.

Luckily, now I know just how to get it.

My gaze moves up to my bedroom ceiling, and I make a decision to play the game his way. It might be stupid—deadly even. But I’m taking control.

Climbing off my bed, I make my way across the dorm to Mila’s room, knocking twice on the open door.

“Hey, girl.” She sets down her mascara and looks up at me. “I like the hair.”

“Thanks.” I reach back and sweep my straight black ponytail over one shoulder. The bruising on my neck has finally faded enough that I could use foundation to hide any remaining traces. “Can I borrow a dress?”

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