Faith nods.
Lo looks pointedly at Kyle.
“We spoke to Da Silva,” Kyle says, his tone tight. “Apparently, someone told him you were planning to press charges for the assault. Since Sheriff Z and I had been in touch with SPD, it’s likely one of his old contacts caught wind of it and tipped him off.” He pauses, takes a breath, then adds, “And it looks like someone also sent him photos of you and Cain—along with the story that your new boyfriend was planning to come after him.”
Faith and I look blankly at one another.
“Come after him, how?” Faith asks, puzzled.
“And who’s this someone?” There’s a bad feeling in my stomach because I think I know.
“Melody,” Kyle replies wearily. “She called Da Silva, riled him up. Gave him your address. Said Faith was there most nights. She told Da Silva that you won’t be home, that she’d be alone.”
I run a hand through my hair. “How?” But I know. “Hell, it’s because I talked to that old biddy from the post office at the gas station about going to Salem.”
“The pleasures of a small town,” Lo states.
“How was he already inside Cain’s apartment?” Faith muses aloud.
I shake my head. “Please tell me it isn’t what I think.”
Kyle looks broken when he nods. “Paula gave Melody the key to your apartment.”
Paula has a spare. She doesn’t use it, forgets she has it…but looks like she remembered, found it, and handed it over to her best friend.
“I didn’t change the locks,” I whisper. “This is my fuckin’ fault.”
Faith puts a hand on my shoulder. “Baby, it’s Jamie’s fault. Just because someone gives you a key to an apartment doesn’t mean you go beat someone up.”
“But make no mistake—they meant for you to get hurt,” Lo says, her gaze steady on mine. “We went through the messages Melody sent to Jamie. She doesn’t just hint—she names Paula. More than once.”
“I don’t understand any of this.” Faith looks like she’s trying to solve an equation that refuses to make sense. “I didn’t do a thing to Paula or Melody.”
“Because small people do ugly things when they feel powerless,” Lo says gently. “You embarrassed them. You survived. You got better.”
Faith looks down at her tea, quiet. I want to wrap my arms around her, carry her to bed, and never let the world touch her again.
But this version of Faith doesn’t need rescuing. Not anymore. She just needs the truth.
Kyle clears his throat. “Sheriff Z is prepping new charges. She’s going for conspiracy to commit assault. Paula and Melody both. That text trail is gold.”
Lo looks at me. I shrug. I can’t be Paula’s savior any longer. This is the end of the road. “Good.” With that one word, I tell Lo and everyone else where I’m at.
“Cain, she’s your sister,” Faith protests.
I cup her cheek tenderly. She knows I love my sister. She doesn’t want her in trouble. My girl’s got a heart so fucking big it makes mine ache. “She’s a grown-up who made some shitty choices, Faith, she needs to deal with the consequences.”
Faith shakes her head. “You’re going to resent me eventually for?—"
“Faith,” Lo cuts in, her voice softer now, “you’re not responsible for what Paula or Melody did. You’re not the magnet. They’re just drawn to their own rot.”
Faith lifts her head. Her eyes meet Lo’s, and then mine. Her posture shifts as if she’s coming to terms with something.
She nods slowly.
It’s the kind of moment you don’t interrupt—when someone’s stitching a truth into their own skin.
Lo stands and dusts her hands. “We’ll stay in touch.”
