She helped save us.
And how did Maverick repay her? By leaving her behind.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I explode. “Why didn’t you bring her with us?”
“Why would I?”
How can he act so stunned that I would ask that? “Her so-called husband is dead. Won’t they realize she was in on it?”
“In on it?” Mav’s eyes widen. “Oh. Shit. You don’t know. Chloe… she wanted him to die. I could’ve disarmed Darryl with the taser, but she knew that only way she could get out of her marriage was if he was dead. There’s this other guy… Tony… she wants to marry him. Be his wife. She loves him, but if Darryl knew about the affair, then?—”
I understand. “Lurker food.”
“Exactly.”
My mouth flounders for a moment. “That sucks. Divorce used to be a thing. Now it really is ‘til death do you part.”
Chase’s newly freed hand lands on my shoulder. “I hope you don’t take the easy way out when we get married, baby.”
Baby.
My chest heaves. I spin so fast, I knock his hand off of me.
“Go back, Chase.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Take the taser. Protect yourself.” Leave me alone. “But you’re going back to the Grave tonight.”
“Why? Besides, I’ll just track you like I did before. I’m the best tracker in the Grave, and you know I can do it, Ha?—”
See? Again!
“That! That’s why!” The words burst out of me, louder than I intended. “I’m not your ‘baby’. I’m not your future wife. Damn it, Chase, I’m not Hallie!”
The same sad, sorry expression flitters over Chase’s face. There and gone again just as fast, he gets his features under control as he fists his hand, pulling away from me.
“Xandra,” he says, and I’m not sure who he is reassuring with that name: him or me. “I know…” His voice is soft, soothing. “I know. You’re Alexandra Holden.”
My chest is still heaving, but when I say, “Yeah,” it’s no longer a shout.
And I swear, if he calls me by my twin’s name one more time, I don’t give a shit if he goes back to the Grave or not.
But I sure as hell won’t spend another minute around him.
PART THREE
BURN
Hallie and her twin were identical, but only if you didn’t know them. Besides their personalities being completely different, little things stood out.
The twinkle of amusement in her pretty green eyes. The way her yellow hair shines in the sun. The tiny birthmark that kisses the corner of her mouth the same way I’d wanted to do since I was a boy, and the body that fits perfectly against mine when she falls into my arms.
Her scent. Her taste. Her laugh. Her tears.
Her pain.
Her rage.