Page 93 of Reign By Wrath

“Yes.” Astoria drew something out of her tote and laid it on the bed. I recognized it instantly. “You.”

“Mrs. Burkhardt. Do you... know what that is?”

“I do,” she said, pushing Alistair’s laptop closer. “His man, Ronin, gave it to me after the funeral. He said your father would’ve wanted you to have it, and I agree. I have everything to lose, Luna, but you have nothing left to lose. That’s what makes the perfect Rogue.”

I laid my hand on the laptop, imagining all those mornings sharing a reluctant breakfast with Alistair while he tip-tapped away.

I shoved it away. “That does nothing for me. Wolf said it’s the names, locations, and rackets of every Rogue. What good does that do me? How does knowing any of that help me take down Everleigh, rescue Victor, or get my guys out of jail?”

“You’re a resourceful young woman. I’m sure you’ll figure it out. But before you give up, I need to tell you what I should’ve told you in the dress shop. I do know something about Everton Starling that may help you.”

Astoria did. She laid out everything she knew.

My expression didn’t change a twitch during her speech. “None of that helps me now. What does any of it matter now that Alistair is gone?”

“It’s up to you what you do now,” she said, getting to her feet. “But I hope you remember who you are, Luna.”

I snorted. “Who am I? A Burkhardt?”

“You’re Alistair’s daughter.”

I didn’t speak as she left, meeting my irate mother over the threshold. I stared at the laptop for a long time—considering the implications of it being in my possession. Thinking about what Astoria told me.

I flipped over and kicked the stupid thing off. Snapping the covers over my head, I fell back into a fitful sleep.

***

“—SO MUCH, MRS. SINCLAIR-Bowden.”

I cracked an eyelid open. Judging from the light streaming through the curtains I hadn’t bothered to close, it was already the next day.

The two cold trays of food on the nightstand proved it.

“Didn’t know you and my Luna were friends. I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you. Bring this in for me,” Mom said. “Make sure she eats.”

“Of course. Looks delicious.”

Once again, my door banged open. Once again, the last person I wanted to see strolled in.

“Get your ass up.”

Groaning, I pulled the covers up higher. “What is with you Burkhardts? Does your internal mechanical matrix only allow you to fake grieving for a week before the machine runs out of false tears? Why can’t you leave me alone?”

“Because you’re sitting around, feeling sorry for yourself when there’s still work to do.” Saylor plopped herself in my desk chair, helping herself to my pancakes. “Grandmother told me she came and spoke to you yesterday. What are you still doing in bed?”

“Well, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but myfather just died in my arms!”

She clicked her tongue. “Still a sarcastic cow.”

“And you’re still a raging bitch.”

“And you’re still moping around while your boyfriends sit in jail, Victor is missing, and Everleigh is doing a victory lap. Did you know she’s throwing a party this weekend? Invited pretty much the entire school except me,” she said. “Guess what her theme is.”

“I don’t give a shit.”

Saylor plowed on. “It’s slumber party themed.”

I tensed.

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