They’ll probably be pissed and keep their distance.
But that’s for the best.
It’ll keep them far away from the shit show that’s me.
Of course, they probably won’t trust me with the kittens any longer, but that’s for the best too.
No reason to put innocent creatures at risk.
I get out of bed, snag my pants from the floor, then creep toward the door, quietly turning the handle and stepping out into the hall. Dawn’s just creeping over the horizon in the distance, casting the living room in a faint glow of light. But it’s enough for me to make my way into the kitchen.
I snag a knife from the block and?—
“What are you doing?”
Gasping, I whip around to see Pascal leaning against the wall, his arms crossed.
I clutch my pants and the knife to my chest, shame rippling through me.
I could pretend I was trying to leave. It might be easier than watching his face change.
But…that’s not me.
Or not the me I want to be.
I use the knife to slice at the hem of my pants and pull out the drive. Then I take a breath and hold it out. “I was supposed to sneak in and put this in Chrissy’s laptop the night of the fundraiser. I don’t know exactly how it works, but I know enough. It contains software to install incriminating files on her computer.” I find that he’s suddenly right in front of me, his hand extended. I drop the flash drive into his hand and put the knife back. “I should have led with this. I was…well it doesn’t matter what I was. Maybe there’s some way to track it, to use it against them?—”
He settles his hand on my shoulder, his eyes delving into mine. “Such shadows in you.” A squeeze. “And such strength.”
My lungs catch.
“But so little forgiveness.” He turns away, stashing the drive in his pocket.
Heart squeezing. “I’ve forgiven Brooks,” I say. “I understand why he did what he did.”
“Not Brooks.” His eyes come back to mine.
“I—”
But I don’t finish the sentence.
Because he’s still talking.
“For yourself, Briar.”
Then, as I’m trying to absorb the blow of that, he disappears into the shadows.
I closemy eyes and lean my head back against the wall.
The sun is up.
The day is beautiful.
Brooks came out of the guest bedroom an hour ago, looking like he slept about as well as I did.
Then he went into the office—needing to take some meetings in person.
He’d cupped my jaw before he left, brushed his lips over my forehead.
