Page 224 of Never Die for a Sinner
“Goodnight, Levi.”
Levi and I are at a comfortable distance, with me hiding out in the living room while he fixes a cabinet in the kitchen, when a knock sounds at the front door.
I freeze, my heart plummeting to my toes, and I glance at Levi, who steps into the doorway of the kitchen.
“Relax,” he says calmly, before crossing to the front door and opening it. I stay back in the living room, listening to the sound of whoever’s at the door, but I’m unable to picture who it could be.
It’s not until Levi steps around the corner, into the living room, that I scramble backwards.
“It’s okay,” Levi says, holding up a hand while Donovan Palmer looks as cold and unfeeling as ever.
“I’m not here to hurt you,” Donovan says, stepping cautiously into the room.
“Forgive me, but that’s what Alex said right before he stabbed me in the leg.”
“I just want to talk.”
“Did you know he was coming?” I ask Levi. Donovan winces, while Levi looks away, jaw tight.
I can’t believe him.
I shake my head, angrily swiping at the tears on my cheeks.
And to think I was starting to trust him again.
“Get out.”
“Ava . . .” Levi says, taking a cautionary step towards me. “Just hear him out.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Ava—”
“No,” I snap, hair flying around me when I whip back around. “I don’t even know him.”
“And yet, he’s still your brother,” Levi snaps back, and my heart takes a tumble in my chest.
Both of us stare at each other, chests heaving, while Donovan doesn’t move.
“Right, this has been fun, but I only came for one thing.”
I step back, crossing my arms over my chest. “Your ego.”
“The truth.”
My lips clamp shut, and I lean back against the wall. There’s nothing saying Ihaveto speak to him. This ismyhouse, after all.
But . . . I do want answers.
I have a right to know who I am and where I came from, even if that isn’t a very good place.
“Talk.”
Donovan lets out a heavy breath and sinks down to the couch. Levi relaxes visibly, though he stays back, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the doorway.
I remain rooted in place across the room from both of them like they’re infected with a flesh-eating parasite.
“As you know, our father, Nolan Marks, is the head of the Burelli crime family.”
