Chapter 25

I watched Marco’s thin lips stretch into an arrogant smile. “Astrid,” Marco started, leaning against the doorframe, filling up the space so I couldn’t see past him. “I knew you’d be back, but this is a bad time.”

My heart was pounding against my ribcage as I stared up at him. He was always much taller than me and he used that to his advantage to make me feel smaller. Instead of folding and slouching in a way to make myself seem lesser, I pushed my shoulders back, standing tall.

“Where’s Isabella?” I asked firmly.

Marco crossed his arms across his chest. “Who’s Isabella?”

My eyes narrowed. He was playing stupid. Even more alarming is that the house was completely quiet behind him. My eyes darted behind him, that fierce feeling of protection filling up my chest.

Behind him, by the stairs, I watched a pool of blood run across the tile. I gasped and shoved right past him. I wasn’t thinking about me at all. I was thinking about Isabella.