A violent surge of anger burns through my veins and it takes everything in me to remain impassive.

“I understand.”

With that, I open the door and get inside.

Nausea burns up my throat as I start the engine and put the pieces together.

I didn’t think much of it when Candi was murdered. She was a stripper at a cesspool, and sometimes those girls hang around the wrong people and end up dead. It sucks, but shit happens.

It wasn’t until Shadow was axed that I knew the person responsible was sending a subliminal threat to Aspen, and I needed to keep her close so I could protect her.

Staci and Traci showing up dead next only confirmed that.

Ice flows through my veins and my lungs lock up.

The one and only thing all these girls had in common was Aspen.

And me.

A torrent of anger kicks up my pulse.

But as it turns out…the murders weren’t warnings for Aspen at all.

They’re for me.

And if I don’t handle this now, there’s only one way it ends…

With her being his next victim.

My hand clenches around the steering wheel.

Maybe that’s why he did it.

Because he knows the monster he created is even darker and more fucked up than he is.

And that fucking terrifies him.

He thought marrying Aspen’s mother and making her my stepsister would teach me a lesson and keep me in line.

However, he fucked up.

Because if you’re going to keep a wild animal in a trap and taunt it with its favorite toy...

You better make damn sure they don’t end up loving that toy more than they fear you.

Chapter 43

Aspen

I roam my gaze over the dance floor, watching my peers dance in their elegant dresses and dapper tuxedos as colorful lights illuminate the large ballroom.

At least they’re having fun.

I went with an Old Hollywood theme for prom, so there was a red carpet upon entry, and various movie film reel decorations placed around the room. I also managed to get a photo booth, so everyone could take pictures with their friends for an extra keepsake.

However, my favorite thing is the large movie screen depicting timeless actors and actresses via a projector.

Smiling to myself, I make my way over to the punch bowl. God knows I didn’t have the best time at Black Mountain, but it’s still a little bittersweet that it’s all coming to an end.

Then again, I’m excited to see what the future holds. Especially at Stanford.

A weird twist goes through my chest.

I’m not sure what will happen with Knox and me. I want us to make it, but he doesn’t seem interested in what happens after we graduate.

Or making me happy.

I peer down at my pleated satin floor-length yellow dress. It’s fairly simple compared to some of the other dresses being worn tonight, but that’s why I love it.

Too bad my boyfriend never got to see me in it.

Heart sinking, I reach for a paper cup so I can pour myself some punch.

I grip the ladle but freeze when I spot someone walking toward me out of the corner of my eye.

My breath catches as I take in Knox’s dark jeans and black hoodie. However, it’s the intense way he’s staring at me as he moves that makes my skin hum and my knees go weak.

He’s looking at me like no one else exists in the world.

Like I’m the only thing he can see.

I place the cup down on the table as he approaches. “I thought you weren’t coming?”

He doesn’t answer as he takes my hand. Then, to my utter surprise, he leads me to the dance floor.

The DJ switches gears to a slow song and Knox’s arms close around my waist as the first few bars of, “Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby,” by Cigarettes After Sex begins to play through the large speakers.

I want to pinch myself to make sure this is really happening.

I peer into his eyes as we sway to the music. I have so many questions burning a hole inside me…but suddenly none of them matter.

Because he’s here…for me.

And that tells me everything I need to know.

Closing my eyes, I press my cheek to his shoulder, smelling his scent and sinking against his warmth.

His hands slip to my hips and his grip tightens, like he wants to touch me in all the ways only he can, but he’s trying to control himself because we’re in public.

My eyes flutter open and I’m suddenly hyper aware that everyone’s staring at us. No doubt confused because not only is he my stepbrother…Knox and I hate each other.

Well, we used to hate each other.

Now we’ve found the other end of the spectrum.

My cheeks heat as an uncomfortable feeling brews in my gut. Knox prefers to lurk in the shadows and loathes being the center of attention, which we very clearly are right now.

I’m about to tell him we can stop, but his eyes darken, and he rasps, “I don’t care.”

My heart stops as he tilts my chin up and then races into a full-blown gallop when his lips crash against mine.

Strong hands move up my back until one is cupping my neck while his lips press against mine harder, urging me to open my mouth. The first touch of his tongue sends a jolt of electricity coursing through me. The second one lights my entire body up.

I lean in, opening my mouth wider as he kisses me with so much hunger, I shiver all over.

The hand on my neck constricts, demanding I stay in this moment with him. And I do, because I honestly don’t want to be anywhere else.

I just want to be with him, because even though it should be wrong, nothing has ever felt so right.

A deep groan vibrates in his chest, and holy hell, I don’t care who is watching or who might object. I want him to hike up my gown and take me right here.

We must be on the same page because he breaks the kiss and his fingers wrap around my wrist before tugging me out of the room like a man on a mission.

He’s walking so fast I can barely keep up in my heels.

I expect him to open the door to the backseat when we approach his jeep, but he yanks on the passenger door instead.

“Get in.”

I don’t know what happened or the cause of it, but his demeanor is different than it was a moment ago.

He walks over to the driver’s side and hurries inside. My senses sharpen with awareness when the engine roars to life and I hear the click of the lock on the doors.