Beastly: Sequel to "Mr. Perfect"

Chapter 38: Deaths and Jewelers

🌸Faith (P.O.V.)🌸

"Faith," Evan said, sharper now. "Is this folder supposed to suggest that you're the fourth girl to disappear? Is it supposed to suggest that Tybalt's trying to do the same thing to you?"

My chest tightened painfully.

"With the music video opportunity he gave me," I said, my voice low, "and the way he centered the whole Glass Box concept around me...Annika thought he might be trying to do the same thing with me that he did with Nadine, Arcely, and Zuri. She wanted me to have this folder in case...in case it's needed someday and the same thing happens to me."

Evan's jaw clenched so hard a muscle jumped along his cheek.

"She said all the signs were the same," I continued quickly. "The attention. The exclusivity. The future he was mapping out."

I looked up at him.

"But we caught this at a good time," I said. "Nothing's going to happen to me."

Rashida smacked her forehead.

"Oh my god," she muttered. "I'm so damn stupid for believin' that man."

She stormed over to me, grabbing my hand.

"Faith, listen to me," she said. "If y'all right—if he really did this to 'em 'cause they told him no—what makes you think you gon' be any different?"

"She's right, Faith," Mary said, fear written all over her face. "You might actually be in more danger now that you walked away."

Evan's breathing changed.

I heard it before I saw it—the sharp inhale, the tension snapping tight in his body.

"No," I said, shaking my head. "Guys, I'm fine. Nadine, Arcely, and Zuri didn't know who he was. I know who he is, so I'm going to be fine."

"You don't know that, Faith," Mary said. "This guy is dangerous."

"If he done it with 'em, he gon' do it with you too," Rashida said

"Okay, let's not spiral," Mason said, raising his hands, trying to calm them down. "Tybalt Anderson isn't going to erase Faith like he did those other girls."

I shook my head at them, looking back at Evan.

He was shaking now.

Not visibly at first—not the way people expect anger to look—but I can feel it in the way his chest rose too fast, in the way his hands curled and uncurled like he was trying not to break something.

The air around him felt tight, volatile.

Jake must have noticed too, as he stepped in smoothly and placed a hand on Evan's arm, whispering something in Evan's ear.

Evan didn't say anything.

His jaw tightened, muscles jumping beneath his skin, eyes going dark and distant like he's no longer standing here with us. He stared past everyone—past the house, past the night—like he was looking straight at Tybalt in his head.

Then he dropped the file on the floor, turned and walked away—fast, sharp, angry.

Everyone looked around at one another, then back at him.

"Give us a few minutes," Jake murmured, already following.

I didn't hesitate as I went after them, too.

Evan stopped a few yards away, the distance just enough that the voices behind us faded into the background. His back was to us, his hands clenched tight, his shoulders still rising and falling too fast—controlled rage, but barely contained.