Page 207 of Heartless Sinner

He’d been in that room. He knew what she’d done.

From the shock on his face in the Red Room, I could tell he’d been left in the dark too.

“She’s back in Calira,” I told him flatly. “Where she’ll stay … and also where you’ll leave her alone.”

Cory looked down at the blood-smeared phone in his hand and gave a slow nod.

Whether it was in relief or disappointment, I wasn’t sure.

He’d still be part of Daphne’s life in Calira, but I wanted him to know there were boundaries he’d better not fucking cross.

I hated that he cared about her, but I also knew he’d protect her now that I couldn’t myself.

Fuck, it was torture, hating the person you loved.

“Whatever happened in the Red Room and in here never leaves this room,” I told everyone, but I stared straight at Cory.

He held up his bloody hands. “You guys keep acting like I haven’t earned your trust.”

I kicked at Bellamonte’s head. “You kept trying to steal my Fawn.”

“And you fucking killed my brother.” He smirked tiredly at me while I tried to hide my shock.

“Damn,” Nico said.

Enzo and Emeri didn’t say a word.

Didn’t even flinch.

You’d think Cory had just said something as simple as he’d eaten a Big Mac for lunch.

“I’ve known for months, and I didn’t say a fucking word. All I did was fuck with you about your Fawn.” He was emotionless while giving us each a nod. “I’m a Son. I’ve got your backs.”

“Man, that’s your fucking blood,” Nico said. “If someone killed my brother, their head wouldn’t be connected to their body anymore.”

“My brother was never loyal to me the way Cedric is to you,” Cory replied.

“I’m not interested in hearing family therapy,” Enzo said, kneeling beside Bellamonte’s body to take a better look. “We need to get rid of this fucker before he starts smelling.”

“I’m interested,” I said to Cory. “He was your twin, and when Enzo and I went to your dorm, you said you wanted to find out who was responsible.”

“What did you expect me to say? That I was fucking happy?” Cory threw back. “My brother and I hated each other. For years, he held that I’m older than you bullshit over my head. He and my father treated me like complete shit. My father even had a running bet that eventually, one of us would kill the other. He bet that I’d die first.” He smirked down at his dad. “I like that he was wrong.”

“Man, you political families are fucked up,” Enzo said before shooting me a look. “No offense, man, but I could never kill my father.”

“It was either kill him or be killed,” Cory said while nudging the gun in his father’s hand. “I still have a long life to live. He’d lived plenty of years.”

“Damn.” Nico whistled. “Welcome to the Sons, you crazy motherfucker.”

Daphne’s dorm smelled like lavender, sea salt, and burned sage.

The scent hit me before I even shut the door.

I looked around the room. Books were stacked on top of her MacBook, and her blazer still hung over the back of the vanity chair.

It looked like she’d be back any minute.

She wouldn’t.