Page 63 of His Property

Cora smirks, her eyes exploring mine and making me feel like a child again. “She has no idea what you’ve been up to, son, does she?” Her eyes move to Gabi. “Your brother isn’t going to call the police, Gabrielle. He kills people for a living. Involving police is a big no-no in his world. Try to keep up.”

How the fuck does she know that?

“Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if he killed your father.”

She looks me up and down, making my skin crawl. Her eyes land on my face, and in an instant, I know she knows. Deep down, I always have.

“I wouldn’t count on Dear-Old-Dad coming to save the day, princess. He married me. Which makes this house mine. So…” Her eyes move to Gabi. “Why don’t you get the fuck out ofmyhouse. Or have your brother carry you, or however it is you get around these days. It doesn’t look like life has been treating you well.”

I look at Gabi and admire how hard her face is, how angry and strong and brave she is right now. But I see the hurt there too, and it’s enough for me to snap out of my frozen state.

I whip my head toward Cora and clench my hands into fists. “You have three seconds to leave before I show you out myself. I don’t care whose house this legally is, you aren’t welcome here. If you know so much about what I do for a living, you should know I won’t hesitate to make you disappear.”

“Just like you did to your dad?”

Just like that, I’m trapped in Jell-O again, but I force my muscles to move and walk around the table toward her. I stand in front of her with my shoulders squared.

“One.”

She splays her palm on my chest, and I get the urge to jump back like her touch is a hot iron.

“Two.”

“Relax, Victor. You don’t need to be so tense.” She smooths her hand up to my shoulder, and I grab her wrist and squeeze until I feel her bones shift.

When she yells, I bend down to whisper in her ear. “Three.”

“Goddamn it, fucking let go!” I keep hold of her wrist and drag her kicking and screaming out my front door. I slam it shut behind me before shoving her to the porch. She lands on her back, cupping her wrist while writhing in pain.

I bend down next to her and grab her jaw, squeezing tightly. She glares at me and inhales shallow, shaking breaths.

“I know you think I won’t kill you,” I say, my voice even. “I know you think I’m afraid of you, but I’m not, Cora. The only thing keeping me from snapping your neck right now is not having Gabi’s okay to do it first. You should know, I already have the green light from my employer.” I increase pressure on her jaw, and she groans. Much more and it’ll shatter. “So stay the fuck away from us. This isn’t your house anymore.”

I let go and stand, staring down at her with none of the anger I wish I had.

I turn to go inside but stop when her voice hits my back.

“I know where he’s buried.”

My spine stiffens, and my lungs constrict.

“I’ve known for a long time, and I never told the police. Not even after what you did to me… Do you know why?”

I swallow and stand perfectly still. I wish she would stop talking, but at the same time, I have to hear what she has to say.

“Because you’re my son. And I love you. I’m the only one who knows who you really are. Remember that.”

I take a breath and force myself to open the door. I step inside and slam the door before walking to the kitchen table where Mae and Gabi are still seated. Gabi’s face is ghostly white, while Mae’s eyes are down. She’s rigid in her chair.

“She won’t come back,” I say to Gabi, although I don’t know if it’s true or not.

Gabi meets my eyes, and my stomach bottoms out at the fear pooling in her irises. “What was she talking about?”

I furrow my brow and pretend I don’t know. “What do you mean?”

“About you killing dad. About you killinganyone.”

“I don’t know,” I say immediately, averting my eyes. “She’s fishing. You know what she’s like.”

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