I text Krystal to find out what time I need to meet her.

Krystal: Come in two hours. And don’t forget, ALONE.

Archer: I’ll be there.

I get myself ready, go over the plan, then head out of the hotel.

Krystal may think she can say or do whatever she wants to me, but I’m not going down without a fight. I can’t continue to let her control my life.

“Well, well, well…you showed up. I thought you’d be a coward.” Krystal is smug as hell as she stands on the porch of an abandoned cabin. Her dark hair is messy as I peer into her sunken eyes. By the look of her veiny, bruised arms, I know she’s still using.

We’re standing fifty feet apart. “Well, now that I’m here, what do you want?”

Her mouth curls up in an evil grin. Before she can say another word, the front door of the cabin opens, and another woman steps out.

What the fuck?

“I think you’ve met my roommate, Dana.”

My eyes move to the woman who works for Everleigh and has been close enough to touch me. She must be the one who’s been keeping tabs on us for God knows how long. But why would Dana betray Everleigh like this? How did she meet Krystal?

“The look on your face. Priceless.” Krystal laughs.

I take a few steps forward. “I showed up like you wanted. I need to know that this ends right here, right now. The stalking and harassing of Annie and Everleigh stop. You leave them alone. I’m the one you want, and I’m here.”

“Hmm…” Krystal paces as if she’s contemplating her answer, but her arrogant smirk says it all. “I don’t like to make promises I can’t keep.”

“That was the deal,” I remind her.

“Yeah, well, seeing Everleigh’s expression when her shop was on fire and you flying to visit Annie when you realized I was a threat brought me so much joy. You must’ve been going crazy keeping tabs on them, and it was amusing to watch. I’m not sure I want to give that up yet. However…” She pauses briefly and whips out a gun from the back of her jeans. “It’s going to be so satisfying watching the life leave your eyes. It’s something I’ve imagined for the past five years, and now I can hardly contain my excitement.”

“Was that your plan all along? Fuck with the people I love to mess with me, then kill us all? You think that’ll bring back your abusive druggie brother?” I snap.

Krystal glowers at me as she grinds her teeth. I can see her anger boiling, and I know I’m playing with fire, but I want to hear the truth.