Page 159 of Vicious Hearts

As if on cue, a light turns green in the other room. The technicians walk over to the machine and start poring over a data printout.

“See?” Dorsey nods. “Dead as a fucking—”

One of the technicians suddenly hurries over and opens the door between the exam room and the lab. He pulls his biohazard mask off, his face flushed. His brows are furrowed in confusion.

“How’re we looking?” Dorsey grunts.

The man frowns. “I’m sorry, Director, but I think there must be some mistake.”

My pulse begins to thud. My jaw clenches.

Dorsey arches a brow. “Excuse me?”

“Are we sure we have the right casket, Director?”

Jack glances at me nervously before turning back to his technician. “Of course we fucking do.” He jabs a finger at the metal box, which has both Seamus’ full name and his burial plot number stenciled on the side of it. “See?”

“Doctor Lee,” Dorsey frowns. “I’m confused what—”

“What the fuck did your fucking testsay?”

The doctor glances at me nervously, then at Dorsey, who swallows and nods quickly. Dr. Lee clears his throat.

“Well, I don’t know what to tell you, but this isn’t Seamus O’Conor.”

The floor drops out.

Oh fuck.

“It’s not even a male cadaver.”

So where the fuck is Seamus O’Conor?

38

UNA

“Where areyou guys going for dinner?”

I shiver as Cillian walks up behind me in the dressing room mirror and leans down to kiss the back of my neck.

I’m getting dressed to go have that dinner with Gail, formerly Dr. Thompson, that we talked about when we ran into each other a few weeks ago. I know there will be some painful things that come up—my father, Finn—but I’m excited anyway.

“Her place, actually.”

“And where’s that?”

I smile indulgently, turning in his arms. He’s been more reserved and brooding than usual the last few days, ever since the horrifying accident outside the Drakos’ building.

“Is there something going on, or are you just particularly possessive this week?”

Cillian grunts, his brow furrowed. His lips curl slightly. “People I love almost got turned into pancakes the other day. I’m still thinking about that.”

People I love.

I bite my lip.

I wonder if I’m part of that group.

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