“What now?” Antony sounds annoyed.
“It’s me.” My voice wobbles. I’m dangerously close to crying. What a fucking day. “I don’t have time to explain, but I’ve laid a trap that I think will lure Mackenzie out of hiding, but I need some backup. Will you get over here and drive me to the docks? Come armed.”
Antony can already tell exactly what I’m planning to do. “I told you not to go after Mackenzie on your own. She’s dangerous. And clearly a little unhinged—”
“I’m not on my own.”
“Then where are your three Musketeers? Can’t they play chauffeur?”
I close my hand over my bleeding heart. “They have something else to do. Look, I have it all sorted. I found the treasure and—”
“Youwhat?”
I have to hold the phone away from my ear so Antony’s screech doesn’t burst my eardrum.
“Look, sorry I didn’t tell you, but you haven’t exactly been around lately.” I used to lob those words at him with such venom, trusting his guilt would get me what I want – the way I used to make him bring treats when he left me alone in the house for too long. But hearing them on my lips only makes my hollow chest burn with shame. “Can you get over here and give me a ride or not?”
I hear a door slam. “I’m already in the car. See you soon, Claws.”
I hang up and toss the phone on the sofa. Queen Boudica bounds after it, then shoots me a glare when she realizes it’s not edible. I resume pacing. Livvie texts again.
We’re in position. Just waiting on Cali to get her shit together. Where are you, girl?
I hit a little snag with my ride,I type back.Be there soon.
I tap my phone against my palm.Fucking hurry up, Antony.
I watch Casper play outside the patio doors, waiting for the sound of Antony’s car to rumble down the passage. The tiny lion paws at the glass, wanting to come in to play on Queen Boudica’s cat castle. My kitty winds around my legs and rubs along the glass, anxious to get outside to her friend. She’s been lonely since Eli and Gizmo left.
That makes two of us, little kitty.
Eli found homes for the monkeys and most of the reptiles, but the big cats were proving to be a real problem. All the zoos and sanctuaries were full right now – something to do with increased awareness of big cat mistreatment because of some weird Netflix show. In between everything else, he’d been desperately trying to find them a forever home. He couldn’t stand the thought of any innocent creature living without love. He caredso muchand now—
BANG.
A gunshot?
Fuck.
I flatten myself against the floor, pressing Queen Boudica beneath me so she won’t run headlong into danger. My veins pulse with adrenaline.
Where’s the shooter? Who is in the house?
The boys blocked off the tunnel entrance. I’ve got a state-of-the-art lock on the maintenance shed. George searched this place from top to bottom and found no other secret tunnels. So how the fuck did someone get in—
No, it wasn’t a gunshot. It’s the ballroom door slamming against the wall as someone storms inside. I lift myself onto my elbows, letting Queen Boudica dart away. I’m ready to strangle Antony for scaring the shit out of me.
But it’s not Antony.
The figure stalks toward me. I try to scramble to my feet, but I’m too slow. A foot slams onto my back, a stiletto heel digging into my ribs.
“Hello, sister,” Mackenzie purrs.
43
Claudia
Itwist my neck to look up at my twin. Her blonde hair tumbles over her shoulders in golden waves, her smile frozen like a doll, making a dimple in one of her cheeks. Her eyes eviscerate me.
