“I know.” I dig my teeth into my lip. “I…uh. Between you and me, I’m kind of running away from something. Or rather…someone.”

I don’t know what the woman sees in my expression, but I don’t have to go into any more detail because she hands me her cell.

I quickly call a cab company and the man tells me they’ll be here in five minutes.

“Thanks,” I say, giving her back her phone.

She nods. “No problem.”

I take a wad of money out of my duffle bag, but she halts me. “Are you sure you won’t need that?”

Shaking my head, I place it in her palm.

I’m about to walk to my room so I can change…but pause.

“If someone inquires if a redhead wearing a yellow dress ever asked to borrow your phone—”

“Not to my recollection,” she assures me with a smile.

“Thanks,” I tell the driver as I step out of the cab.

I gave the driver an address that was a few houses down from Leo’s, just in case a potential neighbor spotted a bright yellow taxi pulling up to his home.

After the driver is long gone, I trek up the pathway to the door wearing the black sweatpants and shirt Knox packed for me.

Leo once told me he keeps a spare key in a potted plant outside, and sure enough, it’s still there.

Using the sleeve of my shirt, I wipe my fingerprints off the key and place it back.

A glance at my watch tells me the nurse left twenty minutes ago.

The house is quiet when I enter. The only light comes from the large flat screen television in the living room.

The living room where his wife is.

Her eyes turn into saucers when she sees me and my heart knocks against my ribcage.

She probably thinks I’m here to see her husband, and she would be right…but not for the reason she assumes.

I’m not here to fuck him. I’m here to end him.

Because he murdered my father.

And while I’ve never been one to believe in the whole eye for an eye thing…right now getting my vengeance is all I can focus on.

Being as quiet as I can, I walk over to her. I feel terrible that she can’t move or speak, but the fact that she’s unable to is a good thing right now.

Still, the woman deserves some kind of explanation.

Leaning over, I whisper, “Leo killed my dad.”

Her eyes widen in surprise, and then just as quickly they fill with pity before they drop to my hands and linger there.

I’m confused as to why she keeps staring at my hands, until I realize she’s probably looking for a weapon of some sort.

But I don’t have one.

Thinking quick, I walk into the kitchen and grab a large knife from the butcher’s block.

It’s not perfect, but it will have to do.

Besides, they say a dull knife hurts worse than a sharp one…and Leo deserves every ounce of pain coming his way.

I walk past the living room again, this time holding the knife. If I had to guess where he was, I’d say he’s in his office burning the midnight oil, but I’m not sure.

Pointing down the hall where his office is located, I look at Lenora.

‘Blink twice for yes,’ I mouth.

She does.

I’m not sure if she’s playing me, but I take my chances and slink down the hallway.

My heart thunders in my chest the closer I get to the door.

Leo once mentioned that he had a gun at home, but said he kept it locked up in a safe.

Hopefully, I reach him before he has time to punch the security code in and grab it.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door to his office.

He swiftly spins around in the desk chair he’s sitting in. “Aspen, what—” His gaze falls to the knife I’m pointing at him, and he pales. “What’s wrong?”

What’s wrong? Is he fucking serious?

“Stand up. Now.”

Holding his hands in front of him, he gets out of his chair. “Honey—”

“Don’t you dare fucking honey me, you son-of-a-bitch.” I bring the knife to his throat. “You killed my dad.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know where you heard that rubbish, but it’s not—”

Snarling, I bare my teeth. “Stop lying, asshole. He was your best friend, and you murdered him.” I hate the way my voice cracks as I continue, “And then you fucked his daughter and made her believe you actually cared about her.”

“I do care about—”

I dig the knife deeper and he winces.

“No, you don’t. Because a man who cares about me would never—”

The sound of the door opening catches us both off guard.

Leo’s mouth drops open in shock and it takes everything in me not to turn around, but I know if I do, he’ll have the upper hand.

Nerves coil my stomach because I have no idea who’s behind me.

The click of a gun cocking makes me want to shit a brick.

“Stray.” Knox’s voice wraps around me like a warm blanket during a snowstorm. “Put the goddamn knife down.”

No way in hell.

“No.” I peer up at Leo’s terrified face. “He has to pay for what he did.”

And I don’t care what it costs me.

Because he took away the only person who ever loved me.

“Aspen,” Leo breathes, like he’s pleading with me to hear him out. “Your father was stealing money from innocent people. He had to be st—”

“He will pay,” Knox grinds out behind me. “I have a plan, but in order for everyone to get their karma, you’re gonna have to trust me and put the knife down.”

I do trust him, but I still want to hear what he has up his sleeve before I agree. “What’s your plan?”

Knox comes around so I can see him in my peripheral vision. The hood from the black hoodie he was wearing earlier is now pulled up, casting a shadow over his face as he aims the gun at Leo.

“I need to tie Leo up and bring him back to the house.”

That makes no sense. “Why?”

“So the police can find him in bed with your mother.”

Instinctively, I look at him. “I’m sorry…what?”

“Don’t you even think about it, cocksucker,” Knox snarls, and the lethal tone of his voice has my skin breaking out in goosebumps. “Touch her and I will blow your fucking brains out all over this office.”