“It’s his first kill,” Landon murmured.
“Lark?” Bastian pressed a hand to my back.
The image showed a cute cabin, nestled in the trees. I made myself keep walking, like on autopilot. I knew what I’d see.
The final image was of my parents, their bodies tangled together on a blood-soaked rug.
My legs collapsed out from under me.
“Lark!” Bastian caught me.
“They… My parents.” I turned my face into his chest, pain tearing me open.
“Fucking hell,” Cole murmured.
“This killer slaughtered my parents.”
Bastian scooped me up and headed for the door.
“Nash, collect the evidence and get it out of here. Then burn the place to the ground.”
CHAPTER 24
BASTIAN
With my hands on my hips, I stared out the glass sliding door.
Lark was barely visible. She was on my balcony—even though it was cold tonight—enveloped in a blanket that I’d wrapped around her. She was scribbling furiously on her iPad.
Helplessness wrapped itself around my throat. I fucking hated feeling helpless.
But I had no idea how to help her.
We’d come back from the warehouse, and she’d been silent the entire trip. She still wasn’t talking, or crying, or anything.
She was locked in her own world, and I couldn’t make this better.
“How is she doing?” Landon asked from behind me.
I shook my head. “I have no idea. She hasn’t said a word.” I looked at my friend. “Fuck, Landon. Ed knew the man who killed her parents. Hell, he joined up with him and they killed together. This all makes no fucking sense.”
“It’s a lot to take in.”
“How do I help her?” I shoved my hands in my pockets.
“Just be there for her, Bastian. That’s all you can do.”
“She’s used to being alone.” This was from Cole who was leaning against my kitchen island. “When shit hits the fan, she’s only ever had herself to depend on.”
“This is heavy shit to deal with alone,” I said.
“Like I said, she’s only had herself. Now, she has you. Has us. Show her that.” Cole arched a brow. “Without pushing too hard, or ordering her around.”
It was only the two of them here. The others had dealt with collecting the evidence and burning the warehouse down.
“I want this asshole found.” Focusing on my anger was far better than drowning in helplessness. “He corrupted Ed, he destroyed Lark’s entire life, has killed so many people. His reign of fucking terror is over.”
Cole nodded. “Nash is already back with the security team and working on it. We’ll find him.”
