Page 170 of Dead Girls Don’t Forget

I looked back at her. "And you think if I'm gone, Jackson will just... love you?"

Lia’s expression twisted. “You’re the reason he doesn’t. If you were out of the way, everything would go back to how it was supposed to be. He’s only ever had flings before. Nothing serious. Not until you. And now he won’t even talk to me.”

“He stopped talking to you because you showed him who you really are. That has nothing to do with me.”

“You poisoned him against me,” she snapped. “He was fine before you. We were fine.”

She was unhinged. Not just jealous. She'd rewritten the entire story in her head.

I kept my voice low. "We're mated, Lia. Bonded. If I die, the bond could drag him down with me. You know how true mates work."

"He’s stronger than that." She leaned in. "He'll survive. And when he does, I'll be there. I'll pick up the pieces. Be what he really needs."

The certainty in her voice sent ice down my spine. She believed every word.

"You're willing to risk killing him just to have him?"

Her smile didn't touch her eyes. "I'll do whatever it takes."

The steel door creaked open again and Naomi stepped inside.

“All clear,” she said. “No one followed.”

Lia gave a curt nod. "Good."

Naomi tossed a backpack onto a nearby workbench and walked farther into the room. She looked relaxed. Almost pleased with herself, like the hard part was already over.

“Not so tough now, are you?” she said.

I ignored her and kept my eyes on Lia. “Does she know what this is really about?”

Naomi frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“Ignore her,” Lia said. “She’s just trying to mess with your head.”

I glanced between them.

Naomi rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Are we done talking yet? Can we just kill her already?”

Lia straightened. “We need a letter first.”

“A letter?” I asked.

"A suicide note."

I barked out a short laugh. Both of them stared at me.

“That’s your plan?” I said, genuinely surprised.

Naomi’s eyes narrowed. "You think this is funny?"

"No," I said. "I think it’s stupid."

The smugness dropped from her face.

I looked back at Lia. "Jackson and I are mated. I’m already feeling his panic through the bond. He knows something’s wrong."

Neither of them answered.