Chapter 1
Thank God for Livi.
I don’t even know if she actually likes me or if she’s just being nice because I’m Grey’s stepsister.
Either way, she’s basically a godsend.
She’s like a recarinated version of my best friend from back home. The kind of person who’ll let me complain about the same thing for an hour without making me feel like I’m annoying her.
And I’ve definitely been complaining.
About the move.
About my mom’s new boyfriend. George.
About this house that still doesn’t feel like home.
About Grey.
I basically shut him out the second I got here.
Not that he’s exactly made an effort either.
From what I’ve seen at school, he’s kind of a loner. Cocky, definitely. The weird kind of person who doesn’t have to say much to make people uncomfortable. He’ll just look at someone and somehow they immediately shut up.
And he’s a total fuckboy.
I’ve seen enough girls around him to figure that one out.
Livi told me the rest.
That he’s killed people.
That he’s following in his father’s footsteps.
I honestly thought she was exaggerating when she first told me.
Then I started paying attention.
And now I’m not so sure.
That’s what freaks me out about this place. Everyone knows.
The police know.
The town knows.
People know exactly what George is, exactly what Grey is becoming, and somehow everybody just keeps going about their day.
Like it’s normal.
I don’t know how my mom can look at George and not be terrified.
How do you actually love someone who kills people for a living?
How do you sleep next to someone like that?
And then there’s me, living under the same roof as his son.
I didn’t go to the party tonight.
I’m tired of everyone gossiping about me.
Everywhere I go, I hear the same shit.
That’s Grey’s stepsister.
She’s not handling the move.
She’s going to break.
Like I’m their next victim.
Technically, I’m not even this stepsister.
Our parents aren’t married.
And honestly? They never will be.
At least, I hope they won’t.
But apparently nobody else cares about technicalities.
Like it’s already official.
I complained about it to Livi and she just laughed.
She told me it doesn’t matter and that I should embrace the label anyway.
Because, according to her, once an Abbondanzieri gets involved with a woman, they don’t let go.
Ever.
Unless they’re separated by death.
Which is such a comforting thing to hear about your mom’s new boyfriend.
So I stayed home.
Livi tried to convince me to come, but she’s there now with Grayson Moretti, her crush and I’m probably ruining her night by blowing up her phone.
And she’s still being nice about it.
Which makes me wonder if she’s actually my friend or if she just feels sorry for me.
Wait.
There’s noise downstairs.
Oh, God.
Grey’s back.
Our parents are away celebrating their one month anniversary, which basically means he’s free to do whatever he wants.
Great.
I think I can celebrate bigger accomplishments.
Like making it through tonight without killing Grey.
Wait—
What the fuck was that?
Something just shattered downstairs.
