“No.” I shake my head, starting forward again as the light turns green. “He died.”
“Oh no.” Rose bites her lip, looking pained.
I don’t say anything. She’s a sweet enough, kind enough person not to wish death on the man who almost killed her, but I can’t muster up the same emotion in myself. If he’d survived the crash, I’m not sure he would’ve survived much longer than that anyway.
I reach over for Rose’s hand and hold it tightly. She brushes her thumb over the top of my knuckles and I exhale slowly, tension leaving me almost immediately.
The house comes into sight after a few more moments. As I roll up the driveway, I catch sight of a figure by the front door.
Willow.
What the fuck?
I park the car, and Rose glances at me, looking lost. I shrug and step out, then open Rose’s door and support her as we walk over, watching Willow.
She’s sitting on the stoop, her hands over her mouth. When she finally hears us, she looks up, eyes wide and uncertain. She jumps to her feet almost immediately.
“Dmitri doesn’t know I’m here,” she says when we come close. She swallows, licking her lips. “I had to come.”
“How are you sure he doesn’t know?” I ask. I cast a quick glance over the yard. I don’t see his car, don’t remember seeing one on the street when I arrived.
Maybe she’s right, but I don’t trust Dmitri. I know what he’s like.
Rose worriedly tugs her sweater shut over her chest. “What’s wrong? Did he do something?”
Willow’s lips are pressed together, her eyes bright. I realize she’s trying not to cry. Her bottom lip is red, like she’s been biting at it for hours.
How long has she been here?
“It’s been eating away at me,” Willow finally says, her voice breaking. She presses her hands to her eyes, as if she’s trying to force the tears back, but they keep streaming down her cheeks.
“What? What is it?” I ask, stepping closer.
When Willow looks up, she doesn’t meet my eyes. She looks at Rose.
“He spied on you. He gave me that necklace at your wedding and told me to give it to you. It had a bug planted in it.”
Rose’s eyes widen. Her hands fly to her chest, right where the necklace was—but it’s not there. She’s not wearing it now, but I’ve seen her wearing it often in the days since our wedding.
Willow is crying harder, her voice uneven, sobs racking her chest. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, I was so afraid. So—”
“It’s not your fault,” Rose says, moving closer to Willow to hug her.
I’m furious. My jaw is tight, my teeth grinding together. The anger is indescribable. I want to lash out, but I know Willow isn’t part of this. She’s not at fault and she never has been. This isn’t about her at all.
It’s Dmitri. He’s the one I want to kill.
“I’m fine,” Rose says, holding Willow close. “See?”
“No,” Willow says, choking on her tears. She pulls herself away from Rose and continues. “I’ve been afraid for my life since I met him. I’ve been terrified. But I never should have done it.”
“I understand, Willow. I get it.”
Willow shakes her head. She’s trying to say something else. I calm myself just enough to speak again.
“Tell me,” I say. “What else?”
Willow takes a deep breath. The fear in her eyes is muted, replaced by something darker. Something serious. She’s not just unburdening herself. She’s ready to burn Dmitri to the ground.
