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God, this woman is insane.

In the best fucking way.

“You’d survive any horror movie, love.”

“I’d be the final girl.”

“You absolutely would.”

“Mom and Stevie would die first, though.”

I snort. “They’re too fucking nice. They’d probably try to negotiate with the killer.”

“You’d go down, too.”

I turn to her. “The fuck?”

Her expression remains perfectly thoughtful. “You’d probably try to fight the killer instead of outsmarting them. That is, if you don’t sacrifice yourself to save everyone first.”

I glance at her, offended.

“And you wouldn’t?”

“No.”

“That’s cold.”

“I’d save myself and call for help. What’s the point of us all dying?”

I burst out laughing.

“You have a fucked-up point there, princess.”

She smiles shyly before turning toward her window, looking entirely too pleased with herself.

Shit.

This woman is my favorite kind of person. The kind who analyzes murder documentaries like she’s preparing for an actual homicide investigation, then sits beside me wearing my baseball cap as if she’s always belonged there.

And maybe that’s what Ma meant when she talked about finding home.

Home was never an estate the size of a small town in the middle of nowhere.

Home is a gorgeous white-haired woman with a wicked mouth, a disturbingly detailed knowledge of murder, and the uncanny ability to make even the most ridiculous silence feel perfect.

Artemis

Half an hour later, we pull up in front of a massive building, and I immediately look up. Curved glass wraps around flowing white and lavender concrete, the entire structure resembling an ocean wave frozen in motion.

It’s breathtaking.

“What is this place?”

Stephen chuckles. “Come find out, princess.”

He opens my door and offers me his hand. I take it, letting him lead me toward his surprise. The security guards recognize him as we approach, but I find it strange that there isn't another soul in sight.

“Did you rent the entire place?”