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I run my hand down my face. “Are you being serious, Layla?”

“Um, well, I wasn’t sure how to tell you, but I promised to tell you everything so…yeah. I’m sorry. But honestly, I don’t think she actually knows. She’s just…intense.”

I should have known it had been too good to be true. I already knew I had to be worried about her telling someone before, and I had decided not to dwell on it. But that was fucking wrong.

“Are you mad?”

“Yes,” I reply.

“Please don’t be mad. I’m sorry! It was before we met and…I messed up. I took it back but honestly, she just didn’t believe me. I convinced her that I was⁠—”

“Layla, I don’t want to hear it.”

“Yes, sir,” she says sweetly, trying to give me those puppy eyes.

This girl is my worst fucking nightmare. “Lucky for you, I have to get back to the shop to help Mason. But this isn’t over, got it? You’re still in trouble, little girl.”

She watches me as I slide my shirt back on and fill my pockets with the crap I laid out before bed. “Just…don’t do anything else, okay? Be good.” She nods, walking over to me and going up on her toes to kiss my cheek. I tilt my head down and our lips meet, and she lowers herself back down.

I walk to the door, and leaving her here is…hard. I have the impending feeling that something will happen to her. But I can’t just insist more, either. This is new and confusing. All I know is that I need to not let what happened in my past repeat itself.

I get to my truck, but as I open the door my phone dings. I assume it’s her, of course, so I smile to myself as I pull it from my back pocket.

But…it isn’t. It’s an unknown number and attached is a picture. Of me. Outside of Layla’s apartment.

Unknown

Hello, Hangman. I’ve finally found you.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Lover Girl

LAYLA

I hum to myself as I try to clean up the apartment a little more. I really need to get a new dresser so I stop making a mess every time I have to pull all my clothes out to pick an outfit. Oh well. As I pick up a shirt from the floor, I see something metal catch my eye poking out from under my couch. I reach over, and it looks like a big…folded knife? It isn’t the same one Kane always has clipped to his belt, though. Does he really carry more than one?!

I struggle to get it open, but once I do a gasp escapes me as I almost cut my finger. “Oops,” I mutter, holding it up. I turn it over in my hand, watching how the light catches on the sharp tip. Jeez, this is kind of dangerous, right? Is it legal to just walk around with these things? I move my hand and stab it into the top of my nightstand. “Woah.” Cool! Maybe I should keep it? I retrieve it and place it in my purse, nodding to myself in approval. I think Kane would like me to carry it around, anyway.

Wendy

hey, are you busy?

I’m surprised when Wen texts me, and I quickly reply.

Me

no, whats up?

My phone immediately rings. “Hey? This is a fun surprise,” I say as I answer.

“I know! Since I’m a couple hours ahead I figured you were finally awake by now. Anyway...I just wanted to check on you. You haven’t replied in the group chat like, all week.”

Oops. “Ugh, yeah, I’m sorry. Honestly, I’ve had a busy weekend⁠—”

“Oh, happy late birthday! You didn’t see our texts I don’t think. What’s got you so busy, huh? Don’t tell me you’re withdrawing from the Single Forever club?”

“Thank you! And, well…maybe? I guess we have a lot to catch up on.”