Chapter 2

I went to the outdoor supply store to buy gear for the Tour. Heavy boots. Fire-retardant pants. A pack that could carry forty pounds of equipment.

I turned the corner past the camping section and saw them.

Pierce and Ruby. Standing in front of a white lace gown on a mannequin.

Last time, I'd wanted that dress. Pierce said no. Too expensive. Too flashy. His dad was the Deputy Director of the Regional Fire Authority—we couldn't draw attention.

Now he was pulling out his credit card without hesitation.

Ruby caught sight of me. Her smile widened.

"Clara! What a coincidence!"

She looped her arm through Pierce's and walked toward me, her hips swaying. Pierce's hand settled on her lower back.

"We set the date. Three days from now. You have to come, sis. I'd be devastated if you missed it."

"I need to prep for the Tour—"

"If you don't show up," Pierce said quietly, "I'll kill Ash."

My blood went cold.

Ash. The little black mutt that Pierce's mom gave me for my sixteenth birthday. She'd loved me like a daughter. When she died, Ash was all I had left of her.

Pierce knew that.

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

Ruby touched my wrist. Her fingers slid over the silver bracelet—Pierce's mom's bracelet, the one she'd clasped onto my wrist on her deathbed. You'll be my daughter-in-law someday, she'd whispered.

Ruby's thumb rubbed the metal.

"You know, sis, this bracelet should really go to the actual daughter-in-law. Don't you think?"

My throat tightened. "It's not a family heirloom. She gave it to me."

"Clara, if you love it that much, I have others at home—"

"Stop." Ruby's eyes filled with tears. Her voice broke. "You're doing this because you're jealous, aren't you? Because I'm marrying Pierce and you're not?"

Her tears fell. Loud sobs. People turned to stare.

Pierce's jaw clenched. "Take it off."

"Pierce—"

"Take it off."

I looked into his eyes. Saw the same cold hatred from before. My hands trembled as I unclasped the bracelet.

Ruby reached for it.

And dropped it.

The silver hit the tile floor. The clasp broke. Beads scattered like buckshot.

"Oh no." Ruby's hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes went wide with fake shock. "Clara, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean—"

"You bitch." My voice shook. "You did that on purpose."

Ruby's tears came harder. Louder. "I just wanted something to remember Pierce's mom by! You're so selfish! You don't want me to marry him, so you broke the bracelet to punish me!"

The crowd murmured. A woman next to us glared at me.

"Disgusting. She's jealous of her own sister."

"Breaking a dead woman's bracelet? That's evil."

I knelt. Started picking up the beads. My hands were shaking so hard I could barely hold them.

Pierce crouched next to me.

His hand shot out and crushed mine into the broken clasp. Sharp metal bit into my palm. Blood welled up hot and fast.

He leaned in close. His breath was warm against my ear.

"Try that again, and I won't just hurt you. I'll erase you."