“Okay, hate that, but go on,” I answer.
Goldie walks up next to Noah, staring at his profile, and adds, “Same.”
He ignores both of us and continues. “The car felt personal. It reminded him of when we found our apartment in shambles.” He looks at Goldie. “And there’s been a suspicious guy on Evie’s set. And her fish was stolen. He was even suspicious about the rats and his apartment ...”
She looks around as if she’s suddenly scared to be in her own house, but Noah grabs her hand. “We’re safe here. I promise.”
“He knew?” I don’t know why I care so much about Ruth Bader right now, but I do. It’s the one thing I latched onto.
Noah nods. “There was nothing substantial. It’s all explainable shit, but he kept saying that he just felt like something was coming ...”
I breathe out, feeling so heavy I’m not sure I could move from this spot, so I stare down at the counter.
“He was right. As usual.”
But still, the thought strikes that he’d love this moment—hearing me say he’s always right.You better live, you son of a bitch.
“There’s also ...” Noah’s voice cuts off as Goldie whispers his name.
But I’m frowning, locked on an idea that’s swirling like it’s on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t articulate it as I half-heartedly say, “Also what?”
My head springs up as the thought hits me, but Goldie shakes her head. Except she’s looking at Noah.
I ignore that for a second as I pull my phone from my pocket, immediately scrolling to the numbers, and tap the one I need, typingquickly. The swoosh sounds before I place my phone back to the counter, face up, and dive into what I just saw.
“What’s going on? Why are you shaking your head?”
She glares at Noah, who shrugs. “You need to tell her, Golds ...” Her arms cross as she looks unconvinced.
So I snap, “Tell me what?”
A whoosh of breath leaves her as she faces me. “I got an email yesterday. It was sent from that PI company Dad hired. They found some info that never made it my way ...”
“Get to the point,” I level.
“I have a brother,” she answers.
I swallow, all the wind knocked out of me.What the fuck is happening?I don’t know what to say as an empty huff bursts from my chest.
“Did you tell the cops about that?” It feels mean because I meant it to be.
“Yes,” she throws back, brows drawn before scoffing at me like she’s insulted.
I shake my head, so angry that it feels like I’ll never forgive her.
“That’s why you think it isn’t Remus ... I’m not crazy. You just know it’s your brother.”
The guilt behind her eyes answers for her. But Noah speaks up.
“We don’t know anything. Especially if the report’s even real. Someone’s been fucking with you and Chase. How do we know this isn’t the same? Look at what’s happening. If I wanted to pick us off one by one, this would be a good way to start.”
My phone dings, immediately grabbing my attention, and everything we’ve been talking about comes full fucking circle.
I turn my cell around so it’s facing them before I slide it across the counter. Noah catches it, and I watch their eyes lower to the picture I asked Rick to send.
A grainy black-and-white screen capture of Remus stares back. He’s wearing a hoodie while holding Ruth Bader, but it’s as if he wanted to be caught, because he’s looking directly at the screen, smirking.
Goldie gasps as Noah says, “What the fuck.”
