Rage punches at my skin. I want to scream at him. I want to claw his eyes out. I want to tell everyone in this room what that fucker did to Hope.
The senator looks back over at us. I don’t know how he knew we were here or why he hasn’t just called the police but the smug gleam to his eyes tells me he knows exactly who Flynn is. He knows what he just did. And he’s proud of it.
I step forward, my limbs trembling, but whatever control holding Flynn in place snaps and he tugs me back, spinning around to face me.
“Go. Now.”
“No. I’m not leaving you,” I argue.
“Yes, you are.” Flynn’s eyes are cold, not a trace of emotion left on his beautiful face, and I realize I’m looking at a killer.
Fear shivers down my spine.
“Go, Hazel. Now.”
I don’t want to argue with this version of Flynn, but I can’t get my feet to move. My gaze drifts over to where the Senator is shaking hands with a guest at the foot of the stage. When I look back at Flynn my thoughts must be written clear as day because the darkness in his gaze lightens ever so slightly and he cups my face with his hand.
“I won’t touch him tonight, I promise.”
The panic in my chest unlatches and I take one last look at the damned ballroom. Danny is over by the senator and the thought that maybe Flynn is right and that he’s not what he seems makes me sick to my stomach. The last thing I want to do is talk to him and I’m pretty sure the game has changed now the senator knows Flynn is here, so I leave without saying goodbye.
I take a taxi back to my place and by the time I’m home my emotions are pressing at my skin. Flynn gave me rules I’m supposed to be following but I can barely breathe. I stare at the floor at the end of my bed, where he told me to kneel, my heart racing, skin vibrating.
I scream into the quiet and throw my purse across the room. It smashes against the windowsill, the contents scattering over the floor. I dig my hands into my hair, nails clawing my scalp.
The horror of what Claren did tonight is too much to bear and I want to tear my own skin off. Somehow, he knows Flynn’s plan and he’s toying with him. A sick and twisted game.
I scream again.Fuck him. Fuck this. Fuck Flynn’s rules.I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t want to be involved. I was perfectly happy living my life far away from monsters like Claren. But then Flynn climbed in my bedroom window and now my life is serial killers and stalkers andrapists.
Well, screw him. I don’t want to play this game anymore.
I go into the bathroom and tear off my dress. I shower under water so hot my skin turns red and then I pull on my night shirt and climb into bed.
Hazel’s guide to escaping a nightmare: Hide under your comforter until it goes away.
Except Flynn doesn’t go away. And half an hour later, when his Oxfords tap against the floorboards with each slow step, I start to wish I’d done what I was told. Because I’m not kneeling at the bottom of my bed and one look at Flynn’s beautiful, marble cut face tells me that was a mistake.
Stone eyes bore into me. His hand curls around the comforter and he slowly drags it off my body. I shiver as cool air hits my skin.
“You’re not where I told you to be, Lilac.”
I go to pull the sheets back, but Flynn shakes his head. “No.”
I sink back against the pillow as Flynn takes his time removing his jacket and folding it over the back of my desk chair. He kicks off his shoes next and then undoes the buttons on his cuffs, folding each sleeve up with a precision that has my heart racing.
The bed dips as he climbs onto it, straddling my hips. I gasp as he twists my nightshirt in his fist and tugs upwards, lifting my back off the bed.
“I’m not in the mood for you to be bratty, Hazel.”
Anger burns anew inside of me, and I shove at his chest. “I’m not being bratty. I’m scared and angry and you can’t just ignoreme for three days and then reappear and expect me to bow to your every demand.”
Flynn’s pale eyes flare. He reaches for my arms, but I pull away. “No.” I fight him with everything I’ve got, all the anger and adrenaline from the evening firing through my body, but he’s too strong. He pins my wrists behind my back and lifts me up, depositing me on my feet at the end of the bed.
I cry out as his hand twists in my hair, hating how good the pain feels. I tense, locking my body, but it’s no good. All I can do is grit my teeth as Flynn forces me to my knees at the foot of my bed.
When he drops to the floor in front of me, I brace myself for the cold killer but instead I getmyFlynn. His jaw feathers, pain creasing his eyes as he rests his forehead against mine.
“I’m sorry, Lilac.” His breath waterfalls over me, calming my heart. “Seeing you the other day, so close to the senator— fuck. All I wanted to do was keep you as far from the dark shit in my life as possible.” He draws back, his shoulders heavy. “I thought I was doing the right thing, thegoodthing, by leaving you alone.”
