Page 89 of Malicious Wedding

“But I can’t, I don’t, I mean—” I look past him to where the corpse is lying on the ground, blood leaking from its body. “I thought it was over.”

“It’s not, but it will be soon.” He squeezes my arms. “Hey, Ash, look at me. Don’t look at him, look at me.”

My eyes focus on Carson. Handsome, serious Carson. “I don’t want to go.”

“You have to be strong for your friend. Turn around and head downstairs. Bring her with you. I’ll handle all this.”

“There’s a dead man in there. We need… the police…” I trail off, shaking my head.

“Go,” he says gently, nudging me toward where Bernie’s gaping at us.

I take a step on weak knees but manage to keep from toppling over. I head toward where Bernie’s standing, and the closer I get, the surer I am that I need to hold it together for her.

None of this is her fault—the only thing she’s guilty of is being my friend. And here I am, bringing killers into her life, ruining all her stuff, destroying her home, splattering it with blood.

She should hate me. I would hate me.

“Bern.” I take her hands in mine. “Bernie, we gotta go.”

“Yeah,” she whispers. “Right. We gotta go.”

“He killed someone in the bedroom.”

She groans. “How am I going to sleep in there after this? It’s going to be freaking haunted.”

I squeeze her hands and try not to laugh. What an insane thing to worry about right now. “It’ll be okay. We’re going to Carson’s family house where we’ll be safe, okay?”

“Right, okay.”

“It’s a big, beautiful mansion. You’re going to love it.”

“Will anyone get killed there?”

“Probably not.”

“Then let’s go.”

I lead her to the door. She casts one last look back over her shoulder as if memorizing everything before we head back down the steps. It’s a testament to my willpower that I manage not to trip over my own useless feet on the way.

Fitz is waiting, just like Carson says. He nods to me, a gun tucked up against his side, gripping tightly in one hand. “Ladies. Shall we go?”

“He’s on our side,” Bernie says, looking at me. “Right?”

“Right,” I say, pushing her gently toward Fitz.

Bernie follows after, walking like she barely remembers how.

I linger for a moment at the bottom of the steps, looking back up toward the apartment.

Carson saved my life. If he hadn’t rushed into danger ahead of me, I’d probably be dead right now. Instead, he risked everything to keep me safe.

I should feel something right now. Gratitude, excitement, joy, love. Something other than this deep, black hollowness sitting in the middle of my chest. I know it isn’t Carson’s fault that I’m in this situation, but I’m also terrified I’ll never get out of it again.

I turn and catch up with Fitz, ready to go back to the one place I never thought I’d see again.

Chapter39

Ash

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