SARAH The mention of Julian’s name brings a frown to my face. Really? Of all the people or things Malachi could blame? I whip my head to Malachi so fast I nearly snap my neck. He’s not looking at me though. As a matter of fact, he seems intent on looking at everyone and everything but me. His whole body is stiff with his shoulders tight as I watch his jaw tick. His fists are clenched like he’s getting ready to murder someone. Someone named Julian Cross. “Julian Cross?” Jaxon arches a brow. From the tone of his voice, I can tell I’m not the only one who finds the assumption utterly ridiculous. “That doesn’t even make sense.” He continues. Jaxon takes the words right out of my fucking mouth. “He’ll have to be crazy to do something like that.” Ronan adds. I look to Malachi for confirmation. Hell, even denial. I want him to tell me he doesn’t believe the words that just came out of his mouth. But Malachi doesn’t budge. He just glares ahead. Reluctantly, he turns to Jaxon, completely ignoring me…at least, I think that’s what he’s doing. It sure does feel like it. “Maybe it doesn’t make sense,” he mutters, “but maybe he’s crazy. That’s the only thing that explains why he came to my office this morning, talking all sorts of—” “Wait,” I cut in. My voice is loud. A little too loud. “I’m sorry—what?” I’m blinking ten times per second at this point. Ronan shifts beside me, he whispers my name in that low, soothing voice he only pulls out when I’m on the edge, to soothe me but I don’t hear a word. I don’t want to. I raise my hand to his face, and I turn my entire attention to Malachi. “What did he come to your office for?” I ask, every muscle in my body is fucking tight. “What did he want?” I see his shoulders dampen. He sucks in a deep, tired breath. From the look of things, he’s just realized he’s gotten himself into a ditch he won’t easily leave. Unless he tells the truth. “Malachi,” I say, stepping closer. “Mal. Look at me.” My voice softens into a plea now. Yet, he doesn’t. So I cup his cheeks and force him to. His skin is warm under my palms. Our height difference makes it awkward, but I don’t care. I make sure he’s looking right at me. “Tell me. What did Julian want?” He hesitates, but it’s only a matter of seconds before another tired sigh leaves his lips. “He came to my office this morning. The crazy dude was mumbling about a lot of things. Said he was going to tell you the truth about us.” The truth. The words slam into me. My knees wobble underneath the weight of my body. Of course. Of course Julian knows something I don’t. Because clearly, everyone apparently does. Julian. My brother. The stalker. Who knows? Simon might know something I don’t. He’s their second driver after all. Why do they even have so many drivers? To hide secrets? I can feel my bones rattle underneath my skin. My core…the very core of my strength is shaking. “Why would he say that? Why would he—” My voice cracks. I shake my head to hold back my tears. “Julian might be a lot of things, but he’s not crazy. He’s not deranged. And he sure as hell wouldn’t stalk me. That is not his style.” Malachi opens his mouth, but I cut him off. “And don’t tell me I’m wrong, or that I’m too close to him to see clearly. And why does everyone else seem to know you three more than I do? Why do you all keep saying you’re not hiding anything, yet it always feels like you are?” I can’t help it. The tone of my voice starts to rise. Anger or pain. I don’t know which is which. It’s hard to differentiate from tevery fucking thing swirling in my chest. “My life is being threatened. If Julian knows something that I don’t, if you know something I don’t—God, Malachi, just tell me the truth!” “There’s nothing,” he says softly. I scoff. “Then why is someone stalking me, huh? Why is someone watching us? Why is someone threatening me?” My questions are met with silence.And that silence is the final nail in the coffin. I can’t do this anymore. “You know what?” I whisper, tears stinging my eyes. “I’m done here. I’m taking a cab back. You three can leave,” My eyes move to the car, then back to them. “You should check your car for bugs by the way. There might just be a camera or a recorder in it.” I snarl at them, before turning on my heel and walking away. I don’t know where I’m going, but I don’t care. I just know I need to move. I need to get away from them before I scream or dig my fingers into all their eyes and gouge out all six balls. “Sarah,” Ronan calls behind me. “Sarah!” Jaxon adds, but I don’t stop. How dare they try to stop me? My chest is heaving. My face is wet. I’m wiping my tears with the back of my hand, stomping like an angry child, but I don’t care. If they won’t tell me what’s going on, then what’s the point of even being together? I want to believe them. I really, really do. But something in my gut won’t let me. Something about this feels deeper. This stalker doesn’t feel like some random creep. I don’t know what it is, but it almost feels like they know me. Footsteps get louder and louder behind me, but I don’t dare to stop or turn around. There’s no use asking them not to follow me. They never listen. “Sarah, wait!” No. Absolutely fucking not. I keep going until a hand grabs my wrist and pulls me back hard.