The tea kettle whistled, and I poured water over my tea bag. As it steeped, I stared at the threads of darkness feathering through the clear water.
Threads of darkness.
I had unraveled Jonah’s darkness, and we had become closer than ever.
I wasn’t going to give him up without a fight.
I returned to the counter and picked up his phone. I would start by calling Jordan Hayes and arranging to get those yearbooks back to her. The sooner they were back in place, the sooner the poor woman would be out of any danger.
I dialed the number.
“Hello?” It was a male voice.
“Yes, good morning.” I cleared my throat. “I’m trying to reach Jordan Hayes.”
A gasp met my ears. “I’m sorry. This is Jordan’s father.” A pause. “Jordan was murdered last night.”
Chapter Thirty–Two
Jonah
My life still didn’t flash before my eyes.
But this time, my bowels clenched. Now I had something to live for. I had Melanie—sweet Melanie who had forgiven my transgressions, who had surrendered to me in so many ways, who loved me beyond measure.
I inhaled, gathering every ounce of courage I possessed. “Theodore Mathias,” I said. “A.k.a. Nico Kostas, Milo Sanchez, and a host of other names.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the masked man said.
“Where’s Simpson?”
“Again, don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.” He walked toward me.
I stepped backward, retreating into the house.
Wendy ran toward me, pushing at the masked man. “Please, don’t hurt him.”
“Why shouldn’t I? He’s a fucking thorn in my side.?
??
“He’s the love of my life.”
“You’re crazy as a fucking loon, Wendy,” he said. “I’ll do what I want with this asshole. One less Steel in the world will be no loss to anyone.”
“Please, no.” Wendy tried to grab the gun from the masked man.
The man crashed it down onto her shoulder, and Wendy crumpled to the ground, wailing.
As much as I hated Wendy Madigan, I didn’t like seeing any woman mistreated. But I didn’t say anything. This was between Mathias and me.
“What do you want?” I asked.
“I want what’s been due to me for years.”
“And what’s that?”
“Your fucking money, Steel. I want it all.”