Page 87 of Carnival
“But this is proof, no?” I turn to look at Hudson. “It could get her in prison.’’
He sighs. “We can try. But with her connections, she’ll get a good law team and probably get away with a slap on the wrist.’’
“Then let’s use Blair and Arlo’s tactic,’’ I suggest. “We go nuclear, we go public.’’
“That’s a terrible idea.’’
My eyes snap back to Arlo, and the moment I look back to the screen, I realize just why it wouldn’t work. He points to the two files that he hasn’t opened yet, but they’re there. They exist, and that’s enough.
De Santis.
Campbell.
Campbell is Noelle’s maiden name, and just like the De Santis’ family, hers is an empire built on assassination. If Vivian goes down, so does my family. No matter how much I want to see the bitch suffer, I won’t risk the people I love for the sake of revenge. I can’t risk them.
I groan.
“Okay, let’s call it a night, yeah?” Noelle suggests putting her damned flask away. “It’s almost midnight. We can discuss this in the morning. I’ll study through these files with Hudson. You kids, off to bed.’’
Arlo wants to protest, but a sharp glare from his mother shuts him up. Blair nods, and slowly gets off his lap, taking his hand and leading him out of the room.
“Rose, James,’’ Noelle turns with a soft smile. “There’s plenty of room; you two can stay the night.’’
I shake my head. “Thanks, but we’ll go home. We’ll be here first thing in the morning.’’
Hudson isn’t impressed that I’m not staying, but he bites his tongue. It’s laughable, really. Whenever he sulks, he reminds me of a petulant child and not this stone-cold, bloodthirsty assassin that shouldn’t be crossed.
James and I walk out, and once we’re in the cold air, I take in a deep breath. He unlocks the car, opens the door for me, and waits until I’m seated. He’s quick to buckle me in before walking to the driver’s side, sliding into the seat with ease, and roaring the engine to life.
The dark sky greets me when I look out the window, the soft radio music filling the otherwise tense silence. The highway is empty, with only two cars passing us during the first fifteen minutes of the ride.
“James,’’ I turn to look at him, and he inclines his head for me to continue, his hand squeezing my thigh. “How do you think this will end?”
“In death,’’ he responds, not missing a beat. “Not yours, though. Vivian will definitely die. Hudson’s pissed that she’sbeen playing with him for the two years I’ve been away, and now that the game has officially begun, he’s counting on her getting desperate enough to make a mistake.’’
“You’ve worked for her. Does she make mistakes?”
“No,’’ he clenches his jaw, eyes straight ahead. “Vivian doesn’t make mistakes. But that’s not relevant. Everyone’s bound to fuck up at some point. She’ll slip up sooner or later.’’
I don’t respond, turning my attention in front of me. My brows narrow a little, noticing a car driving toward us. It’s definitely in the wrong lane, and the lights are on too harshly. My eyes widen, and James notices this, too.
“James—’’
My sentence gets cut off midway, a scream piercing from the deepest parts of my throat.
Because the car is coming at us at a rapid speed, James has no time to react before it hits us.
Blood coats me, glass shattering all over me. My hands tremble, my entire body aches, and when I turn to look at James, I immediately freeze.
He’s unconscious, with a bullet wound in his chest.
33
Rose
The baby pink dress falls down to my ankles, the soft material caressing my skin gently. It’s a princess style, with off-shoulder, puffy sleeves. Hundreds of small rhinestones are scattered all around, shining under the bright light of the room.
My long, blonde hair is styled in perfect loose curls, with small ribbons decorating it. There are nine of them in total, and although they’re cute, this whole thing is giving me the creepiest vibes imaginable.
