“We have to get rid of the body,” I tell her. My eyebrows arch curiously. “You wouldn’t happen to watch any true crime shows, would you?”
Her eyes widen. “Alex, what the hell?”
I shrug. “I mean, I just thought I would ask.”
Silence settles between us. This time, it feels clogged with tension, fear, and dread. Adrenaline spikes in my body as I take us just past the center of the lake.
“Help me with the body,” I request.
Demetra doesn’t question my leadership. While grimacing, she lifts the man’s feet and helps me haul him over the edge of the boat. His motionless body sinks beneath the surface of the water, disappearing into the murky depths beyond. The only trace of him is the bubbles that break the top of the water.
“What’s that?”
I peer over my shoulder to see Demetra pointing to a black notebook on the ground. It’s small, innocuous, the kind of booklet anyone might carry to make notes. Lifting it feels strange compared to the density of the body I just shoved into the water. Leafing through it reveals a series of pages listing passwords to hidden accounts, records of secret meetings, and a medley of other juicy secrets that make my heart pick up a beat.
This is it. This is my key to freedom. Relief sweeps over my features and inspires me to keep a level head. Though killing that man dented my innocence, the frozen shield is getting easier to put up. Isn’t that what being a Moretti is all about? My father would do much the same if he were alive—and maybe he would even be proud of me for applying the veneer of a cold thug.
If you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em.
“Alex, are you all right?” Demetra asks. Her shaking has subsided enough for her to take my hand. “You look different.”
I hum thoughtfully. “I guess I am.”
“You just killed a man. Don’t you feel sick?”
“It was nothing.”
She retracts her hand. “That’s not like you.”
“Oh, but it is,” I correct. “It’s exactly who I’m supposed to be.”
“Alex, you’re so cold.”
A small smile brightens my mouth. It pleases me to hear her say that, to know that my facade is coming together as well as it should. If I look cold, then maybe people will stop fucking with me. Maybe letting a little rumor float around about how I killed a man on a boat with a hunting knife will keep those alpha fuckers at a distance.
The storm that once took up residence in my chest dissipates. The clouds aren’t clear, but they recede enough to allow logic to reign. My body is my kingdom, and I intend to be the ruler of my emotions. They can’t rule me anymore, not after everything I’ve done to get to this position.
“Alex, come on,” Demetra begs. Her fingers curl around my hand, tugging me toward the dashboard of the speedboat. “Let’s get the hell out of here, please.”
I nod and take control of the wheel, my movements second nature at this point. Demetra doesn’t let go of me. Her hand remains steady on my shoulder, a supportive gesture I didn’t realize was desired until I received it. Sure, Demetra can’t possibly understand the things I go through, but she helps where she can.
And since I just made her an accessory to murder, that means she’s stuck with me.
“Who was that?” she asks as we approach the docks. “Why didn’t you take off his mask?”
“I imagine he was sent to kill one of us.” I pause for a second as I slow our speed. “Actually, it was probably to kill me, but you would have been killed too.”
She shudders. “I can’t believe it…”
“I can. Parker was right about me being a target.” My eyes hone in on the wooden pier. “Finding my father’s murderer is more important than ever, Demetra.”
“Not if it gets you killed.”
I shake my head. “Someone is going to try to kill me regardless. Those boys know who killed my father, and I’m going to squeeze it out of them.” A triumphant grin cuts through my face. I probably look wild, maybe even half fucking crazed, but I don’t even care. “And I’ll make sure they tear each other apart after I get what I need.”
***
I shouldn’t look as calm as I do when I get home. The close call back on the lake shook Demetra so badly that it took more energy than anticipated to get her to calm down. Before she dropped me off at my house, she pulled over on the side of the road to have a full-blown panic attack.