Larina's Lit Lounge

Larina's Lit Lounge

Second Best

A story for paid subscribers

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Larina Warnock
Sep 26, 2025
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“Nobody’s gonna believe he died pumping iron,” Mia said, flipping through the top drawer of the filing cabinet.

Duke shuffled through papers in the desk drawer. “They will. Why do you think gyms require spotters? Keep looking. It has to be here.”

A loud clang rang through the empty house. Mia and Duke looked at each other before rushing out of the study into the fitness room. Luke’s body lay on the bench press, a barbell and its 300 pounds lodged sideways against his throat, one side resting against a cracked floorboard.

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