Page 42 of Dark Torment

OLIVIA

I don’t understandany of this. It feels like my entire world is falling out from under me as I try my hardest to process what Jonathan has just told me.

Someone, and I have no idea who, wants me dead because I have something they want. But they can only get it if I’m dead? I have nothing that would be beneficial to anyone.

I have my shop and Grams’ house. That’s it. Neither of them are worth killing me over, surely.

And Jonathan? He’s a killer? I sure didn’t see that one coming. What the heck is happening right now?

“I don’t understand,” I whisper, trying to force the tears to take a backseat so I can focus on everything.

“It’s not something that will be easy for you to wrap your head around, baby,” he tells me, pulling me a little closer to him.

For a killer, he seems really kind.

God, that feels dumb to think. He’s a killer, Liv!

Oh my God! “Shelby!” I screech, and he pulls me tighter against him, releasing one of my hands so he can grip my chin.

“She’s alright. I got her out of there last night, but she’s causing some issues,” he says, grimacing. I don’t think he likes her much by the sounds of it.

I guess she did hit on him and make him uncomfortable, but it’s just who she is.

“Someone tried to kill us last night?” I shriek, his earlier words sinking in. I was drunk out of my mind. “I heard a bunch of noise and talking,” I whimper, closing my eyes as I try to think back on the night before when I grabbed my headphones.

He narrows his eyes at me. “You did, and instead of investigating, you put headphones in,” he states, annoyed at that.

I give him a droll look. “Uh, sure. Let me walk right into a serial killer’s arms!” I snap, and he winces.

“No, what you should always do is call the police if something is happening in your home that you’re afraid of, or don’t understand.” His grip on my chin tightens a bit before he lets up and starts stroking my cheek with his thumb.

“What did you do to send another killer after me?” I question, my gut sinking as I think about it.

He said he did something a few days ago to tip the person’s hand, and Ben has been missing. “Did you kill my brother?” I whisper, sadness engulfing me.

I don’t really have a relationship with him. He’s mean to me, and hates me, but he was a good big brother once. Just a really long time ago.

“Not yet, I just… procured him,” he says carefully, and I groan. I’m beginning to understand why people dislike lawyers.

They can take anything and make it sound better by rewording it. “Lawyers suck,” I say, and he smirks at me.

“I agree, but it doesn’t change the facts. Do you really want to know what I plan to do to your asshole of a brother?” he questions, and I blink.

No, I don’t, but I think we’re kind of past that now. I’m in this without my permission. “Tell me,” I order him, squaring my shoulders to brace myself, and he narrows his eyes at me.

“I don’t think you truly want to know, sunflower,” he states, and I huff out a breath.

“You and this… jerk who wants me dead kind of took that choice away from me, don’t you think?” I growl, and he winces like I’ve slapped him.

“That’s fair, but there are more important things we need to cover before I get into detail about your brother,” he growls back, and I sigh.

The tears have stopped now, leaving me in some messed up emotional balancing act. I’m still scared and sad, and panicking, but I also just feel drained.

“What’s going on with Shelby? Is she safe? Be honest with me, Jonathan. She’s my best friend and like a sister to me,” I warn him, and he nods as understanding shines in his eyes.

“She’s okay, but she won’t be for long if she keeps going down the path she’s currently on. My friend was with me last night and he took her home. Watched over her,” he explains.

“Your friend?” I question, and he winces.

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