Page 74 of Lethal Weakness

My magazine clicks into place in my Glock, and I rack a round into the chamber before setting it aside, just as I see a familiar name on my screen.

Experiment Avery.

What the hell?

The file opens, and my eyes get wider as I absorb the contents…

“Oh, my God.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Linden

“This isn’t your visitation night, and I was being kind to bring her over. I’m not waiting outside.”

Merrill practically sneers at me from the middle of the doorway. “Fine.”

I already regret coming here, but Avery overheard the phone call when they said they had a time-sensitive surprise for her, and I didn’t have the heart to let her down.

We walk through the grand entrance that greets me ominously every time I’m here, but tonight it feels even darker.

Or maybe it’s depression creeping in. I can’t tell.

I haven’t been myself since Turner told me they had plans to pursue custody, and unfortunately, with Jack and his secrets, I don’t feel like I have anyone to talk to about it. I certainly don’t discuss adult matters with my three-year-old.

When we walk into my den, my stomach sinks. Turner and Edmund are already in here waiting, and now I feel like I’m being ganged up on.

Merrill continues ignoring me as she goes to the center of the room and shows Avery a giant white box with an almost as giant pink bow.

“What is it?” Avery asks, wide-eyed.

“It’s for you. Open it up,” Turner says with the nastiest smirk on his face, aimed towards me.

Avery opens the lid flaps and squeals. “Mommy! A kitty!”

My jaw falls open. What in the world?

“It’s yours, Avery! It will have to stay here, of course,” Merrill adds, glancing my way haughtily. “But you can visit as much as you want. She can sleep in your room here.”

“This is low. Even for you,” I utter with gravel in my throat. They are literally baiting my daughter to sink their claws deeper.

“It’s just a cat, Linden,” Turner says, not bothering to hide his satisfaction.

“It’s not just the cat. You’ve gone out of your way to ruin my life.”

“Please, don’t be dramatic.”

“Dramatic? You threatened to take me to court! You have no grounds to take her from me,” I whisper-yell over Avery’s head.

“I’ve got plenty,” Turner threatens.

“Plenty of what? I do nothing but what you people tell me to. I don’t go anywhere; I hardly leave my house–” Something deep in my brain clicks. “Did you hire someone to watch me?”

To my core, I don’t want to believe that Jack works for these terrible people. He has secrets, but he’s a good man.

I’m not ready to believe that his soul is sinister like this family is.

Turner smirks with amusement.