Page 189 of Burning Daylight

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And the game has changed completely. Frederick tried tokillme.

I can’t even focus on that right now, on the fact that technically, if my father is dead, I’m the new Montgomery patriarch.

My stomach lurches violently, bile teasing the back of my throat.

Frederick’s going to need me dead for his plan to work.

What the fuck am I going to do?

And he knows everything.Everything.

My sister. My mother. He’s been my father’s closest confidant for years.

My hand trembles as I pull out my phone and call Brooklynn, praying to God she answers.

“Roman?”

Her voice hits me everywhere and I close my eyes. “Hey, kid.”

“You okay? You sound weird.”

I drag a hand down my face. “I’m fine, are you home?”

“Yeah, why?” She hesitates. “Is something wrong?”

I shake my head, swallowing around the knot in my throat. “Just needed to hear your voice.”

There’s a pause on her end, and I can picture her frowning, arms crossed, like she knows I’m full of shit.

I grip the edge of the gas station sink, knuckles going white. “You’re safe? Doors locked?”

“Dude, I’m not twelve.”

“I know,” I murmur. “Just…humor me.”

Another second passes, and her voice softens. “I’m safe. I promise.”

I exhale, some of the weight loosening in my chest. “Good.”

“Hey, speaking of, is Mom with you?”

I freeze. “What do you mean?”

“I know you said not to try and contact her at that fancy rehab, but I called anyway, you know? I was worried…and they said she never checked in.”

I turn away from the mirror, ripping the bow tie until it’s hanging loosely around my neck. “I’m sure she’s fine.”

Lie.

Her voice cracks. “Do you think she’s okay?”

“I think she’s smart enough to lay low when needed. I’ll find her.”

“You always say that like you can fix everything.”

A small smile breaks through the panic swirling like a hurricane in my chest. “And have I been wrong yet?”

She exhales. “Be careful, Bear.”

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