I wave a hand, as if I don’t care, as if her words don’t make my pulse quicken and my heart flutter. “My father never let anyone see my face, he thought it would protect me, so no one in the underworld knows that I can pass for Mackenzie’s identical twin. It’s a long story and I promise to tell you everything as soon as we make sure you’re safe.”
The weight of my words fall heavy on George’s shoulders. She sags into her seat, her hands nervously tapping the table. “The corpse… the guy who attacked me looked terrified when he saw you. Is that why he tried to kill me? Because I’m your friend?”
Actually, that is weird. The guy seemed surprised to see me, but herecognizedme.Andhe was here to get rid of George’s evidence that Brutus and Walter Hart had dealings.
I turn to Antony. He inclines his head. He’s figured it out, too.
Brutus sent that guy to threaten George.
And he showed him what I look like.
That means Brutus is still a threat. He’s still pulling strings. And if we don’t get to him soon he could hurt everyone I love, starting with George and probably moving on to...
...Eli.
“What would your mom say if you moved in with me for a while? If you’re in Malloy Manor, I can keep you safe.”
“She won’t like it.” George’s eyes spark with color. “Maybe… maybe I’ll tell her I have a boyfriend.”
“Ormaybeyou could just ask Isaac to be your boyfriend and make it a reality?” I grin. “It’s the least you could do, since you’ve been ignoring him so much he thinks you and Eli are an item. He’s not moving into the manor, though. Mackenzie Malloy draws the line at Metallica fans.”
George tries to smile, but it’s not happening.
“We’ve been friends for a couple of months and I already have you lying to your mother.”
George tries to crack a smile, but she clutches her stomach, and I realize she’s barely holding down the junk food we ate earlier. “Sorry. You develop a bit of a gallows humor about this sort of thing.”
“Is my mom in any danger?”
“I doubt it.” Antony hacks off a large slice of cake and shoves it into an organic, reusable lunchbag. “There’s an honor code, even among scoundrels like us. Brutus may intend to gut you and leave bits of you all over your house, but he won’t hurt your mother unless she gets in his way.”
Except we all know Brutus has no honor.
The ghost of his voice rasps in my ear. “Let me show you a man, baby girl…”
My fingers touch the knife in my sleeve.
I need to find him. And deal with him. Before it’s too late.
37
Claudia
“Wow.” George breathes as I lead her through the garage door into the lofty foyer of Malloy Manor. She turns in a slow circle to take in the sweeping staircases, gaudy chandelier, and the eldritch blown-glass and ceramic statuary the Malloys seemed particularly fond of. “I always wanted to see inside this place.”
I lead her into the kitchen, where Noah is banging pots with his uninjured arm and cursing. He’s tied a flowery apron over his clothes and it’s adorable. I roll my eyes at George. “Don’t tell me – you were one of the sickos creeping around the perimeter, peering in the gates hoping for a glimpse of the Malloy ghost.”
A faint flush creeps across her cheeks. “Maaaaybe. I wasn’t being morbid, I promise. It was for research purposes. IamEmerald Beach’s favorite true-crime podcaster, you know.”
“I know. And I’m going to need to see every piece of research you have on my family and the Malloys. We need to find Brutus and—”
“Claaaaaws, I didn’t expect you to be here. I come bearing dinner. Noah says he’s cooking again, so I figure we needed supplies.” Gabriel wanders in, pointedly ignoring Noah’s coal-eyed death glare. He clutches a stack of gourmet food containers that smell divine. He’s followed by Queen Boudica, who must smell something fishy because she has her tail up in the air and a hungry look in her eyes. When Gabe sees George, he drops his booty and throws his arm around her. “I knew Claws would drag you here eventually. Welcome to Castle Clawstein. Youmustsee the sound system in the media room. It’s out of this world.”
I am so fucking grateful to Gabe, who fully doesn’t give a shit that George is social pariah number one at Stonehurst Prep. He may appear superficial, but he’s also an artist – he sees beyond the masks people wear. And what he sees inside George is all the things that make her an amazing friend. Her kindness. Her loyalty. Her badass taste in music.
“Is Eli here?” George’s eyes light up.
Noah and I exchange a glance. I shake my head. “He hasn’t taken my news as well as you. He wants to be left alone.”
