things,” she says. I remember what she just told me – that she’s the reason Eli’s dad is in jail – and I marvel at his capacity for forgiveness. If he can conspire with George… hope flutters in my chest. “He wants to dig up what really happened to the Malloys all those years ago.”
“So he could take that information to the police?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t think so. Eli’s… conflicted. I think he believes you’re in some kind of danger.”
My heart stutters, but I can’t think about Eli now. Not when someone’s after George. I cock my head to the side. “What did that guy mean when he demanded your tapes? By chance, has the creator of My Dad is a Gerbil discovered some dark secret you intend to broadcast to the world?”
George manages to look both sheepish and a little proud. “I was going to tell you, I swear! I just wanted to find something first so you could see that you could trust me—”
Antony snorts with derision. He’s not happy I’ve brought yet another person into the fold.
“George is ride or die.” I cock an eyebrow at her. “Isn’t she? Consider carefully before you answer.”
George wrinkles her nose, and I know she’s weighing the dead body we disposed of against everything that’s led up to it. She nods. “I’m ride or die. Please don’t let it be die.”
“Deal. Remember, you’re under my protection now, and I’m a crazy bitch.” I hold up the knife we pulled out of the guy’s neck. “Want me to cut you a slice of cake to seal the deal?”
“I don’t think I can cut anything with that knife again.” George stomps on the pedal to open the trash can and drops the knife inside. “Are more of these guys going to come after me?”
“It’s hard to say. It depends on what they think you dug up.”
“Nothing.” George shakes her head. “I mean, not much. Just that Eli’s father was involved with a crime boss.”
“What?”
Antony sighs.
I rub my temple. This is too much.
George leans forward. There’s a hint of the old sparkle in her eyes. “There’s a photograph of his father with a man named Brutus August who, like, runs the Emerald Beach drug and skin trade—”
I sigh. “My uncle. My name is Claudia August.”
George shakes her head. “You can’t be. Brutus August killed Claudia along with her parents so he could take over the family. And besides, you’re Mackenzie. I knew you from junior high, remember?”
I toss my blonde hair over my shoulder. “The resemblance is uncanny, right? It’s just one of those weird coincidences. That’s why Eli hates me, because he’s been in love with Mackenzie since he was a kid and I’ve stolen her life.”
“He doesn’t hate you,” George says. “Trust me.”
I wave a hand, as if I don’t care, as if her words don’t make my pulse quicken and my heart flutter. “My father never let anyone see my face, he thought it would protect me, so no one in the underworld knows that I can pass for Mackenzie’s identical twin. It’s a long story and I promise to tell you everything as soon as we make sure you’re safe.”
The weight of my words fall heavy on George’s shoulders. She sags into her seat, her hands nervously tapping the table. “The corpse… the guy who attacked me looked terrified when he saw you. Is that why he tried to kill me? Because I’m your friend?”
Actually, that is weird. The guy seemed surprised to see me, but he recognized me. And he was here to get rid of George’s evidence that Brutus and Walter Hart had dealings.
I turn to Antony. He inclines his head. He’s figured it out, too.
Brutus sent that guy to threaten George.
And he showed him what I look like.
That means Brutus is still a threat. He’s still pulling strings. And if we don’t get to him soon he could hurt everyone I love, starting with George and probably moving on to...
...Eli.
“What would your mom say if you moved in with me for a while? If you’re in Malloy Manor, I can keep you safe.”
“She won’t like it.” George’s eyes spark with color. “Maybe… maybe I’ll tell her I have a boyfriend.”
“Or maybe you could just ask Isaac to be your boyfriend and make it a reality?” I grin. “It’s the least you could do, since you’ve been ignoring him so much he thinks you and Eli are an item. He’s not moving into the manor, though.