“I’m honestly hurt that you’d think that. I was very attached to Liz. Of course I’d want her safe.”
I narrow my eyes.
He sighs softly before speaking again.
“What happened is your fault only,adorable. Liz is innocent. She was like a little sister to me.”
A corner of his mouth lifts, and he taps a finger gently to my forehead. “I could never hurt her. Your mind is playing tricks on you. As always.”
His words hit like a knife to the heart. Is he right?
I hate that the thought of him watching over Liz brings me more comfort than horror.That’s not right.
I don’t understand what’s happening to me. I need to fight this. I need to be stronger than this.
He straightens slowly and starts walking away. “Get some rest. You clearly need it.”
As soon as the door closes, my heart stutters.He left his phone behind!I’m almost afraid to believe it's real.
With trembling hands, I snatch it up. Without a second thought, I dial 911. It rings once. Twice.
“What’s your emergency, adorable?”Hisvoice, laced with amusement and dark as sin, sends chills through me.
“What the fuck!” I scream, despair stabbing straight through me.
He chuckles, and it’s fucking sinister. The door unlocks, and he steps back in, holding another phone to his ear.
I shoot to my feet and hurl my own phone at him, rage blazing hot. I miss — by a long shot. It shatters against the wall, pieces flying through the air, scattering across the floor.
Ghost
She still thinks she can fight me. Find a way out of this.
But she doesn't get it. She doesn't get it at all.
I spent years rotting in that cell, waiting for this moment, waiting to break her the way she broke me. Years of planning. I've taken every precaution.
But now, looking at her — weak, trembling, staring at me with those hazel eyes that used to fucking ruin me — all I feel is aslow, terrifying need to bring her comfort. And choke the life out of her at the same time.
"Really, adorable? You think I’d be that careless with my phone?" I ask, watching the way her throat bobs, the flare of her nostrils, the fire in her eyes.
She’s beautiful. She always fucking was.
"I thought you were smarter than that," I murmur.
Her gaze narrows. "You’re an arrogant piece of shit," she bites back.
I should laugh. I should drag her out of this cell and remind her exactly who the fuck she's dealing with.
Instead, I step forward and reach for her. I don't even fucking think about it. I just run my fingers along the edge of her jaw, tracing the soft skin.
She flinches slightly.
I pull back before I do something fucking stupid, like let her destroy me all over again.
She's unravelling. Slower than I thought, but it's happening. I'm going to make sure she shatters in the end. But first, I need to figure out what the fuck is happening inside my head. The only dangerous thing right now would be givingherany kind of power.
Adora
