Page 140 of Dead Pretty

But I will have to hurt her again.

I don’t like that I have to. Just like I didn’t the last time when I cut open her skin.

I walk over to the window and check to see if the sill is movable, if I can put these things here.

But, no, it’s fixed down good.

Fucking Christ.

Light flashes on, momentarily blinding me.

I spin around to see Jack standing in the entrance to the living room, a gun in his hand, pointed in my direction.

I hold my breath as Jack blinks. His angry expression morphs quickly to surprise and then instantly relaxes.

“Jesus, Audrey.” He lowers the gun, shoving a hand through his hair. “You frightened the shit out of me. What are you doing here? Are you okay?”

I put the items down behind me on the sill.

And then I smile.

Cole

Jack moves through the living room, coming toward me. He puts the gun into the waistband at the back of his sleep pants while he walks.

I track the movement with my eyes. Before looking back to his face.

A face filled with concern.

I would actually feel bad for the guy if I didn’t dislike him so much.

What Audrey sees in him, I will never know.

I just need to figure out how to handle this situation.

My hands are still behind my back. Gloves are still on. The knife is wrapped in the paper towel. I quickly peel the gloves off and shove them down the back of the shorts that I’m wearing.

My fingers fumble to free the knife. Not that it’ll do me much good against his gun. I manage to loosen the towel from around it just as Jack reaches me.

“Did something happen?” he asks me.

He’s worried for her. I’m sure Audrey would find it sweet.

I just find it irritating.

I shake my head.

He’s staring at me. “You sure? You seem”—his brow furrows in concentration—“different.”

“Different.”

I have to suppress a smile.

If only he knew just how different I was.

I don’t say anything. If I do speak, Jack will know that I’m not Audrey straightaway. Our voices differ. I can mimic Audrey’s, but to someone close to her, they would know the difference.

As much as I might dislike it, Jack is close to my sister.