Page 39 of Fall

I make a mental note to kill Taylor for making me deal with this shit without coffee. He’s going to owe me more than just one extra day.

I sidestep Elijah in an attempt to silently walk around him, but he just sidesteps with me and continues blocking my way.

Dammit… Here we go.

I grumble to myself and drop my shoulders before crossing my arms. “I’m assuming there’s a point for your insistence on limiting my forward movement, your highness. Please, do go on and illuminate me with your words of wisdom so we can both get on with our day.”

He steps forward, and I automatically step back. What is it about people just insisting on invading my space?

He fills the air with fresh linen and soap…and home… I momentarily stop breathing.

“You ruin everything around you. Can’t you see that?” His gray eyes swirl with the coming storm, warning me to take cover.

I, the masochist, stay rooted in place.

“Ivy deserved better and so do they. I couldn’t save her from you, but I will not make that same mistake again. Leave Stratham so they don’t end up like her,” he continues.

He steps closer, leaning down, his nose brushing the edge of my ear. “Do not play with me, Evelyn. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for them.”

I turn my head so that my eyes can meet his. He’s so close that his breath caresses my face, and time suspends as I try to gain my footing on the tilting earth.

His words make me bleed because there’s truth in them. I didn’t kill my sister, but the trajectory of my life always seems to leave destruction in its wake.

I don’t know what he sees in my eyes, but a small gasp escapes his lips. He immediately straightens his spine, creating the much-needed distance between us.

That inconsequential movement is what brings me back to reality. This asshole could have eaten me alive, and I would have let him. And it’s that thought that pisses me off.

“Really, Elijah.” I say, tilting my head to truly examine him. “That’s all you’ve got? If this is your way of protecting them, then you’ve already failed. I didn’t shoot Micah. Your boy Ryan did. Believe me, don’t believe me—I really don’t care. I’m not the one with the problem.

“You’re so focused on the wrong things that you can’t see that the devil follows you—not me. You welcome him into your home and have the nerve to call me the sinner. Now, if that’s all his majesty deems necessary today, please get the fuck out of my way. I have shit to do.”

“You don’t get it, do you? You—” He attempts to speak, but I cut him off.

“No, Elijah, YOU don’t get it.” I shrug my shoulders. “Or maybe you do. Maybe the apple doesn’t fall that far from the tree. Maybe you’re just afraid. Secrets are a heavy burden to carry. Believe me, I would know. Word of advice… Don’t let them drown you.”

His laugh is dark and calming, like the eye of a hurricane giving fear the chance to grow.

“I’m not carrying secrets.”

My bones tremble, but outwardly, I’m unaffected. I keep my chin up, raise an eyebrow, and stare him directly in his eyes, despite my fears of where this conversation could go.

“I know all your tells,Eli.You taught me well, remember? And I say you’re lying.”

His eyes darken as he leans down, letting his cheek brush against mine while he whispers in my ear. “Prove it.”

I lift my hand to my burning cheek as I watch him walk away without another word. My mind is a mess of confusion and heartache. Does he know? Did he tell them? Or is he hiding something else?

Let it go, Evie.

I know this isn’t a rabbit hole I should go down. There’s no magical white rabbit. I won’t wake up from a dream full of adventure. But despite what my head knows, my soul isn’t one to listen. and my heart is already following the fucking rabbit.

* * *

“Ah, Ms. Hawton. I’m glad you decided not to skip our session today. I was almost worried.” Dr. Weaver stands from his chair in greeting.

Christ, give me patience.

“I’m literally two minutes late,” I reply. The residual anger from dealing with Elijah oozes out of my pores.

---