Page 116 of The Mastermind

A sense of dread rolled through the pit of my stomach as I listened to Remi describe what he’d seen. What he and his friends—including Grayson—had inadvertently recorded with their drones. Though the drones only got glimpses of the church, its surroundings, and parts of the murder scene, the recordings were evidence that could indict someone. Remi and his friends had saved the recordings in a safe place.

“Derek knew about the murder at the church because he did it!” A part of me couldn’t believe it. “What kind of organization is this?”

“A dangerous one we should stay away from. Slash died because he failed to stop me from renovating the garage, which revealed the human remains. I’m going to see the project through because it’s time for the truth. There could be more bodies. I don’t know.”

“Do you think Derek is worried the city will know who the dead body belongs to?”

“Maybe. I think he’s more worried about his safety. The organization will want to remove all evidence linking Derek to them.”

A shudder ran through me. Money, power, greed, and unrequited love twisted people in ways I would never understand.

“I’ve killed before.” Remi’s words dropped like a pebble in the pond.

I knew he had a dark side and had waited for him to show me all of his jagged edges and shadows.I want them all.

“Who? Why?” I studied his stern face.

“The guy who tried to kill me in college.”

“That was in self-defense. You were protecting yourself.”

“Still, taking a life is taking a life. It stays with you.” He held my gaze. “But other people have died because of me. My enemies—”

“People who would have hurt you without hesitation?” I understood Remi more than he realized.

The tension on his face relaxed. “I don’t want you to think I’m a perfect guy.”

He always had a reason for his actions. From what I’d witnessed, his actions had been to protect himself and those he cared about.

“I’m not perfect either, Remi. The world can be cruel, and sometimes you have to defend yourself and those you love. I experienced that today. If I had known Derek had planned to kill me—or my dad back then—would I have tried to prevent it?Yes. Would I have killed him?” I looked Remi square in the eye and spoke with conviction. “If the opportunity called for it. I won’t stand there and let the enemy kill my family or me.”

Remi caressed my face as though he wanted to erase what I’d experienced, and I covered his hand with mine.

“I still believe in hope, goodness, and happily ever after, but I’m more aware of what greed can do to people. You do what you have to do to preserve your soul.” I placed my hand over his heart. “I’m not going to judge you for doing what’s necessary to protect yourself.”

“I didn’t want to share any of this with you because I didn’t want you near the ugliness. I wanted you safe.” He tapped my chin with his finger. “But I realized to truly love someone, there shouldn’t be anything standing between us.”

Something silky, something velvety, something sacred fluttered in my chest. My heart soared as though a thousand wings took flight across the most beautiful horizon that was Remi.

“What are you saying?” Ineededto hear him say those words.

A vein throbbed in his neck. “I love you, Audri.” His eyes reflected his emotions. “There’s only one woman for me, and I met her a long time ago. When I was a lost boy, you fed me hot dogs, gave me a friendship bracelet. Though I thought I could never deserve you, I wanted you anyway. It’s always been you.”

My heart pounded with elation as the anxiety I’d felt earlier slipped away. A tear slid down my face, then another, and another. Remi caught them with his thumb.

That was when I noticed the friendship bracelet I’d given him years ago. “You still have this? You’re actually wearing it?”

“Why not?”

“I’ll make you a new one. That one is . . . outdated.”

“Friendship and love can never be outdated. I like it as is.”

“Your friends and my brother are going to make fun of you.”

He quirked an eyebrow. “Do I look like I care what anyone thinks? They’ll be jealous that they don’t have one.”

My heart skipped a joyful rhythm seeing how much he appreciated the bracelet I’d given him.

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