Brett hums, casual, like we’re talking about the weather. “Relax, Jo. I know where he is.”
My breath catches. “Tell me.”
“We can be a family again.” His voice is smooth, coaxing. Like Hell. When I get to him, he’s going to be another ghost but only because I’m going to kill him.
“I just want my son,” I whisper.
“And I just want you. Come home, Jo. We’ll figure everything out.”
I close my eyes. I know better than to trust him.
But I don’t have a choice.
“Okay,” I say, voice shaking. “I’m coming.”
Sara grabs my arm the second I hang up. “What the hell was that?”
I force myself to keep it together. “He knows where Justice is.”
Her eyes widen. “Jo, you can’t?—”
“I have to.”
She shakes her head. “No, you don’t. Call Dean. Call the cops.”
But there’s no time. I can’t risk waiting.
“I’ll be okay,” I lie.
Then I leave before she can stop me.
The house looks the same as when I left it.
Brett’s house. My house. Our old home. A den of bad memories, every single one of them tainted in pain and heartache. Stepping onto the porch feels like walking into a grave.
I push open the front door, my pulse hammering. “Brett?”
He steps out of the kitchen, smiling like this is normal. Like I didn’t leave him months ago.
“See?” he says, opening his arms. “Feels right, doesn’t it?”
“Where’s Justice?” My voice is tight, controlled, but inside, I’m breaking apart.
Brett sighs. “He’s safe.”
“Where?” I demand.
His jaw twitches. “That’s not how this works, Jo.”
Panic claws at my throat. Something is wrong. His face isn’t the same. The darkness in his eyes has changed. I take a step back, but he moves faster. His hand clamps around my wrist, yanking me forward.
“No,” I choke out, shoving at him, but he’s stronger.
The moment I see the rope in his hands, my blood turns to ice.
And then I’m falling—Falling back into my worst nightmare.
My wrists burn where the rope bites into my skin. My breath comes in short, sharp gasps as I struggle against the binds, my heart slamming against my ribs. Brett watches me from across the room, his head tilted, eyes gleaming with sick amusement.
