Polished dress shoes tap along the bridge, casually ambling closer.
“Swimming, bathing, even being near rain can trigger an anxiety so strong it rivals the sensation of drowning. The shortness of breath, the rapid heartbeat, the unbearable pressure in one’s chest. It is, perhaps, the cruelest fear a person can give to someone.”
I watch the Sea Witch’s son adjust his cufflinks before bending down and prying the oxygen mask off Finley’s face.
“This man is responsible for the trauma my little saint has to face every day.”
The Seaborn family crest glitters against the droplets clinging to the dead man’s skin, a dead man who apparently got what he deserved.
“Tonight, I finally returned the favour.”
A tarnished key unlocks the chains around Finley’s chest and the oxygen tank falls to the floor.
Giving me a clear shot of his chest rising and collapsing with every breath.
“What... how is that possible?”
Marlin tilts his head, studying the scars carved deep into the unconscious man’s shoulder.
“It would seem numbers are not the only thing that lie around here.”
If there was a drop of energy left in my body, I would stand up and push the fucker over the edge. Laugh and watch him flail around with the eels to see how he likes it.
“I don’t know if anyone has ever told you this.” Lying flat on the ground, I close my eyes and breathe for the first time this evening, “But you’re one sick bastard.”
“That does come up in conversation. More often than you would think.”
“What a surprise.”
He doesn’t laugh at my dry tone.
“Don’t forget to clean up this mess before you leave.”
“Mm.”
“I expect everything to be put back where it belongs.” A meaningful pause, “Including the silverware you’ve got tucked in your back pocket.”
“Fuck off and let me get some rest.”
He sighs loudly before the sound of his expensive shoes starts to fade.
“Oh, and Deville?”
A beat passes before I force my eyes open.
“Congratulations.”
The piece of paper hits my chest. Kiss marks smear the front page, the deadly shade of lipstick one I know far too well.
Opening it up, I find four words waiting for me.
Four words that flip my world upside down.
Welcome to the team.
Chapter 26
CALISTA
