LILITH

After the livestream and a few more words with Dean and Callum, I headed straight home—alone.

Dean, of course, offered to send me back, but I insisted on going by myself. I had the sense they still had things to discuss without me.

And to be honest, I also had matters I needed to brainstorm on my own.

Claire’s little performance might have been for Brandon’s benefit, but I was pretty sure it was also aimed at me and my family.

To show remorse.

To show repentance.

To sneak her way back into my good graces.

All so she could reclaim the lifestyle she’d lost access to and, most...