Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

"You'd just love to run off with him, wouldn't you? After all, your old flame is still waiting for you overseas."

Rupert pulled out his phone and hit play. The voice recording echoed through the room—Bridget's voice, unmistakably hers.

"Babe, I'm flying in for Christmas. Please, you have to pick me up at the airport. I can't stand another minute with Caleb, he's such an idiot!"

Bridget froze, her lips trembling. "Caleb, it's not—I just—"

Caleb just smiled, slinging an arm around her shoulders. "It's fine. I believe you."

Bridget looked like she might actually faint with relief-until Chris stormed in.

"Caleb! Are you insane? She's using you! She doesn't love you-she's only here because you're my brother! That way, she can get updates on Mr. Rupert any time she wants!"

"I know," Caleb laughed, a harsh, almost wild sound. "I know everything."

Both Chris and Bridget stared at him, shocked into silence.

Caleb jabbed a finger at Chris, his voice bitter. "You've always been the golden boy, haven't you? The perfect son. I was always wrong, no matter what I did. Mom and Dad brag about you, the whole family does. Even when the professors say I'm smarter, you're still their proudest student!"

"Well, why should you have it all? I wanted to drag you down into the dirt for once. To make your precious friend wear my horns, to make him lose what he cares about. Hell, I even thought about making him raise my kid. I want you to feel guilty for the rest of your life!"

Chris took a shaky breath, his voice caught in his throat. He could barely get the words out as he backed away, shaking his head.

Caleb's bravado faltered. "You... you're not going to save me?"

"You always act like nothing can touch you. Maybe it's time you learned to

drama to play out. He

he started to falter. He grabbed Bridget, hauling her onto his motorcycle, and tried to peel out

and with a muffled pop,

skidded, the

ground with his boot, the barrel of his gun pressed

brother. Now-last chance. You got anything

left. Go ahead, kill me if you've got

Rupert shifted his aim and shot Bridget

She dropped, screaming.

"One."

Rupert's voice was cold.

"Two."

Bridget's cheek, splitting the skin open. She was in too much pain to even

t belongs to Sunet

aimed

desperate. "The boss told me to take her

Why? You

"Why'd What

shrieked, blood streaming

down her

right?" Bridgere face as

caught her hand, looking her in the eyes. "Do you love