I do everything for you. No one else could put up with you like I do. You’re so broken you can’t even do the fucking laundry.
I shook his voice out of my head and continued reading.
I feel like I have to shrink around this person.
I feel like this person ignores or dismisses my feelings.
As I went one by one through the questions, old memories surfaced with a new perspective. It wasn’t just the last time that was bad—it was all bad. It wasn’t okay the way he treated me.
Add this to the list of reasons I couldn’t date someone.
How had I just let this happen?
This person threatens me physically.
I paused on that question. Graham might be mean, but he’d never hit me. Though there was one time in the beginning of our relationship. He punched a wall and I tried to help him, but he shoved me off. I fell to the ground and sprained my wrist. It was my fault, though. I should have left him alone.
I finished the quiz.
It is highly likely you are in an abusive environment. Please seek help?—
Lithie’s cat dashed into the room with a case of midnight zoomies, knocking a book off an end table.
“Jesus Christ, Stroop!”
Stroop ran under my legs, then threw himself against the couch, clawing his way up the side like Mulan on the giant pole.
“I’m doing serious things here, Stroop,” I said. “Making important self-discoveries. This vibe is not it.”
Stroop reached the top, then jumped off, running down the hall.
I grabbed the bottle of vodka and took a drink, then found another quiz, and another, and then it was three in the morning. I was no less clear on anything. I knew Graham was mean, but abusive? I think I would have known if I was in anabusiverelationship, right?
Panic crawled up my legs and arms, and the corners of my eyes grew fuzzy. I was tipsy, but still too sober for whatever the fuck this was. I took a giant gulp of vodka, then sent a message.
What kind of criminal are you? Outside of stalking, of course.
The black letters of my response seemed to bleed in the white pixel. I felt exposed. Stupid. I was a grown woman with nightmares, who couldn’t get back to sleep because of it.
My brain startled at the three undulating dots that appeared on the screen.
Void was awake.
chapter
ten
CALDER
What kind of criminal are you? Outside of stalking, of course.
Shay’s message popped up on my phone right as I got home. It had been a long day and night, with a particularly abusive asshole refusing to sign the papers untilpersuaded.I pulled my black leather gloves off one finger at a time.
Damn.
That asshole’s face had broken my skin.
I have a running poll going in my mind. Are you a bank robber?
