Page 22 of The Carnage We Keep

“Or maybe I'm still mad about the other time you fucked up my shit with Beckford?”

Bella frowns. “Is this quiz going to be multiple choice?”

This girl. “Do you have any idea how fast the cops come when someone hits a panic button at a fucking judge’s house?”

“And yet, again…” She lifts her shoulders and gestures significantly. “Doesn’t look like you’re in jail or anything.”

“Such a comfort,” I say dryly.

She starts singing “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” from Life of Brian.

“Is there something I can help you with?” I hiss.

She shakes her head. “Nah. I think it’s pretty clear by now that I don’t need your help at all.”

“Then why the fuck are you here?”

She grins sheepishly. “Honestly?”

“Are you capable of that?”

Her eyes roll. “God, why are you such a dickhead all the time? The effort involved must be exhausting.”

“You are exhausting.”

“Aww, thanks!” she beams.

She’s fucking nuts.

“Anyway, I followed you because I hoped you’d lead me to your trophy room.”

I blink. “Trophy room?”

“You know…where you keep the trophies from your kills.” She frowns. “Fuck, you do have one, right?”

“Uh…no?”

She groans. “My God, you’re missing out.”

“I highly doubt that.”

Bella’s lips twist between her teeth. “So…why are you here, then?”

I sigh and heft the bag. “Did you really think I was joking two minutes ago when I said I was going to throw it over the edge?”

“Well, I was hoping you were!” she snaps. “I mean, that’s an amazing trophy!”

“I’m sure it is,” I mutter as I turn and wind my arm back to throw the head.

“Wait!”

I groan. “I’m tossing⁠—”

“If you don’t, I’ll tell you how I did it!”

I glare out at the water. Then I slowly turn to look at her over my shoulder. “How you did what?”

“Got into Beckford’s room. Got past the cops. Took his fucking head off.” She grins impishly. “C’mon, you’re curious.”