Chapter 5: The Shatterproof Window

At dawn I carried my suitcases to Milo's room for one last look.

It still smelled of him, of crayons and the apple shampoo he insisted on.

I stood in the middle of the carpet and let myself pretend he was just downstairs.

Leather shoes clicked in the hallway behind me.

Dane leaned on the doorframe and looked around the room with a satisfied smile.

"Your little brat is dead," he said. "You must be wrecked."

My blood stopped.

"But I'll tell you something, Flynn. I feel great about it."

I stared at him.

He had known all along, and that was why he had called my plea at the office a lie.

"Yes, I wanted him gone," Dane said, enjoying my face. "He was always hanging on her and calling her Mom. I was sick of listening to it."

"Now she'll have all her time for me."

Something white and hot went off behind my eyes.

I do not remember crossing the room.

I remember my fist hitting his cheekbone and the crack of it.

"What kind of monster are you?" I roared.

Dane stumbled against the wall, and then he laughed.

He wiped the blood from his lip and wagged one finger at me.

"That's nothing. And don't you go crying to my sister. I'll send you to your son right now, Flynn."

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