“I need to find him, Bastian. I want answers. Who the fuck is he? How was Ed involved? But most of all, I want to kill him. He won’t tear any more happy lives apart.”
Her words held a fierce edge.
“I want revenge.”
“We’ll find him.”
“He killed my parents. He hurt them.” Her shoulders sagged. “He destroyed my childhood. He killed them and I heard it all.”
Fucking hell. I held her tighter.
A single tear ran down her cheek. I caught it with my thumb.
Whoever he was, he’d pay. With his life.
I hauled her closer. “Just hold on.”
CHAPTER 25
LARK
Iwasn’t entirely sure I wanted to watch a dress rehearsal for a show right now.
Bastian and I sat in a luxury box, high up in the darkened theater. The seats were wide and plush. On stage, the actors’ voices rang out, the sound effects echoing across the empty seats. I wasn’t sure they knew we were there. No one looked our way.
Beside me, Bastian watched the production with his usual intensity. I knew he’d be cataloguing everything that he wanted changed or improved.
I sank back against the red velvet. I felt…hollowed out.
Last night, I’d raged, I’d poured it all into my web comic. I’d held onto Bastian and slept fitfully in his arms.
Now, I felt empty.
On stage, I watched the handsome Osiris going about being benevolent, the beautiful Isis by his side. The costumes were really incredible. I paid no attention to the leggy women in tiny whisps of fabric in the background.
Maybe I didn’t want to watch the show, but it did keep my mind off things.
I’d accepted my parents’ death a long time ago. Knowing who killed them didn’t change that. I’d grieved for the life I should have had. One with a loving family, school, college, and all the other experiences normal young girls dream about. I rested my chin on my palm and watched the actors. I could have been a different woman. Maybe I would’ve become an actor, or a schoolteacher, or some high-powered attorney.
I shuddered. I had no interest in any of those. For better or worse, I was the person I was today because of everything I’d lost, everything I’d survived. For better or worse, I liked being an assassin.
I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath. I felt Bastian watching me as intently as his new show. I knew he was worried.
Opening my eyes, I focused on the actors again. The villainous brother Set appeared on stage. He had the head of some wild dog-like animal and a blue headdress. I leaned forward. The guy had a killer deep voice and he was built. Dark skin stretched over lots of muscle. He and Osiris started fighting.
“I’m seeing the appeal of this show now,” I murmured. “Set…Mmm.” The guy was shirtless, his skin oiled up and gleaming under the lights.
“He’s thebadguy,” Bastian said.
I looked at him and grinned. “I have a thing for bad guys.”
He made a low sound, then plucked me out of the chair and onto his lap. “There’s only one bad guy you’re allowed to have a thing for.”
Lifting a hand, I traced my fingers along his hard jaw, his stubble. “Well, when we get home, maybe if you could oil up your chest?—”
He tickled me and I laughed.
God, just moments ago, I never thought I’d laugh again.
