Page 58 of Break Me Beautifully
"Well. The only person the authorities cared about catching in the act was Bradford. He'll probably serve a lot of time."
"And the others?" I ask, but I really mean Marshall.
"The Lucardo family has incredible lawyers. They care for their own, so I expect the rest of those men will be back on the street in days. As for Marshall, they won't charge him with anything. The deal was solid. He gave them what they wanted in exchange for what he wanted."
"Right." I shift in my chair, a bitter chuckle sliding from my twisted lips. "Guess it worked out. Happy endings for all of us."
"Leona ..."
"Can I go?" I ask, eyeing her, then the open door. "I'm not under arrest, that's what you said, right? It was all pretend, so the mafia wouldn't target me as a traitor?"
"Yeah, but—"
Clutching my sketchbook to my chest, I stride towards the exit. The cop in the hall sees me coming and moves aside.
"Leona, wait!" Katy calls, starting to follow.
Spinning, I shake my head at her. "It's okay. Really. Just give me some time."
I don't know if she's convinced, but she stops in her tracks. Free of her tailing me, I power walk through the building and straight out the front door into the dark night. No one does anything but cast a glance my way.
I'm replaying the events of the past weeks in my mind through the lens of my sister's explanation.Katy and Marshall, both working together, both letting me be the tool to get what they want.
I'm unsure if I can forgive them. Even if I'm starting to see why they used the methods they did, I still feel violated. Betrayed by the two people I love the most.
Love. Do I still really?
"Leona."
His voice reaches my ears seconds after I'm down the street. The police station is still visible behind me, but the road is quiet, the traffic stale.
And there he is. My Devil.
Chapter 17.
Hours.
