Chapter 2
Jack Mitchell punched my brother in the shoulder and said, “Watch your mouth. Ivy’s a good kid. She sneaks into the precinct every day to drop off dinner for you. Don’t take her for granted.”
My brother gave a cold snort. “Who needs it? Jack, drop it and stick to the case.”
“By the way,” he asked, “has any family reported someone missing?”
Rookie Officer Joey shook his head. “No, sir. No reports.”
“The girl’s been gone for days and nobody noticed? What kind of parents are they?” my brother
muttered.
At dinnertime, my brother headed to the precinct cafeteria line with the others.
Jack seemed to think of something. “How come Ivy hasn’t brought you food the last few days?”
My brother let out a laugh. “She couldn’t keep up the act. That’s more like her.”
Jack’s face tightened. “No way. All these years–rain or shine—she’s never missed a day. Something must’ve happened. Call her, now.”
My brother looked put out. “Jack, stop indulging her. It’s another one of her stunts.‘
“I called her a couple days ago,” he added, “told her to clear the plagiarism rumor for Luna. She
refused, then hid from me just to give me attitude.”
Jack was about to press him when my brother’s phone rang.
He saw the caller ID, and his brow immediately smoothed; even his voice softened.
“Hey. Miss me, sweetheart?”
He was all warmth and sugar. I didn’t need to guess to know it was Luna.
There was a time when my brother’s world revolved around me.
Now all he saw was the foster sister who knew exactly how to wear a mask.
“When I wrap up here, I’ll come home and keep you company,” he murmured. “I know, I know— I’ll take care of myself.”
Chapter 2
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He went on fussing over her, and whatever she said next turned his tone to ice. “Don’t worry. I’ll make Ivy Graham admit she set you up. Even if I have to tie her up and drag her there.”
“Don’t be sad,” he added. “Be good and wait for me at home. It isn’t safe out there. If you go anywhere, you tell me first.”
Listening to him soothe her, I let out a bitter little laugh.
Brother, why won’t you believe Luna really did steal my design?
Later I decided it didn’t matter; as long as you were still willing to speak to me, I was ready to make Luna happy and clear her name for your sake. But now I can’t speak at all.
“Oh, and Sunday night, you have to come,” Luna said sweetly on the other end. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Alarms exploded in my head. I shook my brother’s hand as hard as I could. “Don’t go. Don’t go, please. Brother, Luna is a monster.”
But he couldn’t feel me anymore.
He smiled with all the indulgence in the world. “Got it. I’ll try to close this out early and come
home.”
What do I do? What do I do?
I swirled frantically in front of him, desperate to warn him not to show up, because Luna would
never let him walk away.
After all, this wreck of a body–that was her masterpiece.
Chapter 2
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.