I let myself out of the apartment, and on silent feet, I walk down the empty hallway toward Jack’s apartment.
Using the key, I slide it into the lock and turn. The click of it unlocking sounds so loud in the silence of the night.
Steadying my breathing, I turn the handle and quietly open the door.
Slipping inside, I carefully close the door behind me.
His apartment is in darkness. Only the moonlight through the window providing any light.
I fucking hate this guy.
I discovered who he was totally by accident. I was online, looking him up. I needed to know all about Jack Canti. The man Audrey was allowing to fuck her, use her like a whore, and she was starting to have real feelings for him. Believing his lies. Thinking that she loved him. I couldn’t allow that.
When I found out exactly who he was related to … well, it was like a gift from God.
Audrey needed to know, of course. I knew she wouldn’t have anything more to do with him once she did.
Because she always believes everything that I lay out for her to believe.
It was the only way. It has only ever been this way.
Audrey cannot cope with the truth.
And if she hadn’t found my things tonight, I would have left Jack alone. So long as she stayed away from him.
I know it will hurt Audrey for me to do this, but there’s no other way.
Silently, I move through Jack’s apartment, looking for a place to hide my things. Somewhere easily findable for the police. But not so easy that it looks planted.
Because poor Jack Canti is about to be framed for my crimes.
When I’m done, the police will believe that Jack came here to finish off what his brother started—to kill Audrey.
Not that I’ll kill her, of course. I could never kill Audrey.
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.
And he’s also smart.
What I need to do right now is get that gun off him.
And there’s only one way to do it. Distraction.
Lifting a hand, I press it to his chest.
His breathing stutters.
So fucking easy.
I press my lips to his and kiss him.
Not exactly what I want to do right now—or anytime ever, to be perfectly honest—but needs must.
And I will do whatever is necessary.
Jack kisses me back. I can feel him losing himself in the kiss.
Good. I need him distracted for just long enough.
Reaching a hand back, I locate my knife with my fingers. Curling them around it, I pick it up, holding it in my right hand, while I move my left hand, slipping it down the skin of his back.
When I locate his gun, I wrap my fingers around the handle, and then in one swift movement, I pull it from his waistband and bring my arm holding the knife from behind my back. I turn it upward and plunge the blade into his neck.
The look of shock and confusion and anguish on his face is one that I will remember for a little while at least.
I do almost feel sorry for the bastard.
Almost.
But he was only fucking Audrey to get close to her, so he could free his stupid brother from prison.
He hurt Audrey. So, I don’t feel too bad about killing him.
And it’s not like I had any other choice.
Neither he nor Audrey left me another option.
Audrey will be upset though when she finds out that he’s dead.
But I’ll deal with that when the time comes.
Jack staggers back from me. His hands clutching his throat. His back hits the wall, and he slides down it until he’s sitting, slumped on the floor.
And I watch him.
The way the blood seeps out from between his fingers. Running down his chest.
Jack won’t die just yet. He’s got a few minutes. Maybe more. I didn’t hit a major
