Chapter 5
Two days later, Jack walked in looking deeply worried.
“Ethan, something’s wrong. Ivy hasn’t picked up for days. That’s not normal.”
My brother was already on edge from the lack of progress. Hearing my name made his temper
snap.
“I said she’s fine. I don’t have time for her. If I don’t solve this case, I can’t be there for Luna-
and I might miss her award ceremony.”
Jack lost his patience. “Ethan Graham, stop being pig–headed. Ivy could already be in trouble. If
you won’t check on her, I’ll go myself.”
My brother tore his arm free. “Do whatever you want. I’m not dealing with her. Better she dies out
there so I don’t have to claim the body.”
Jack swore at his back. “What the hell did I teach you to make you this heartless?”
Curled in a corner, I watched Jack fight for me, and my eyes blurred with tears I couldn’t quite
shed.
Brother, when will you believe something really happened to me?
My brother had barely reached the doorway when his phone rang.
“Are you Ivy Graham’s brother? I’m her thesis advisor. There’s a small issue with her thesis, and I can’t reach her. Could you-”
“How the hell would I know where she is?” he snapped. “Don’t call me again. I don’t have a sister. Whether she lives or dies has nothing to do with me.” He cut the call off in a fury.
Shaking with anger, he yanked out his phone and fired off a text.
Ethan Graham:[Have you had enough? If you don’t show up at Luna’s award ceremony, don’t blame me if I kill you myself.]
Silent tears slid down my face.
Brother, I’m not skipping on purpose.
I’ve just been here in another form, lying in your medical examiner’s suite for two full days.
Chapter 5
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When will you notice me? When will you believe Jack?
Right then, Luna walked into the precinct with a lunchbox.
My brother’s face lit up; he rushed over with a smile.
“Luna, what are you doing here?”
“I was worried about you,” she said, all sugar and innocence. “I brought you something good to
eat.”
He ruffled her hair, indulgent as ever. “You’re the only one who doesn’t give me grief. Unlike that jinx–she only causes trouble.”
Luna’s eyes went red.
“What happened? Who upset you?” he asked, instantly tense.
Biting her lip, she put on the face of someone terribly wronged. “I ran into my sister on the way here and said hi, but she shoved me and threw this bracelet at me. She said she never wanted
anything to do with you again.‘
My brother glanced down and saw the skin on her knee raw and red.
He started dialing me as he ground out, “That damn jinx.”
Jack, standing off to the side, caught sight of the bracelet and snatched it up. “You’re saying Ivy just threw this at you?”
Luna nodded like she’d been frightened, then hid behind my brother.
“I told you she’s fine,” my brother said. “You never believe me. She laid a hand on you? I’ll make her pay.”
Jack shook his head, face dark. “No way. That bracelet was your mother’s. Luna treasures it. She wouldn’t just let it end up tossed around like this.”
My brother hit speaker. “Listen. She’ll answer any second.”
This time, unbelievably, the call connected.
He launched into a roar. “Ivy Graham, get your ass to the precinct now. You lay a hand on Luna again and you-”
Chapter 5
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A stranger’s voice came through after a brief pause. “Captain, this phone was recovered at a
homicide scene.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.