Page 101 of Her Wicked Plan

My eyes leave hers to glance at the clock on the wall. “Our time is up.”

“Okay. I’ll see you next time.”

While I watch her walk out of my office, I can’t help but feel the uneasiness spread throughout my body. Getting myself involved with her is the dumbest thing I can do next to admit that I might have actual feelings for her.

This will not end well.

Ruby and I are having another session in the common room. I’m not sure why I decided to hold these meetings here and not in the office.

It could be because Veronica and I defiled my office with all the dirty things we have done there. It makes me think that if anyone were to spend enough time there, they could sense the activities that took place.

Across the table, Ruby’s mouth is moving. She is answering a question that I had just asked. A question I don’t have a memory of asking. The words come out of her mouth but never reach my ears. I’m too distracted. What is going on with me?

“Dr. Madden?” Her voice finally enters my ears, and I blink away the distracting thoughts.

“Hmm?” I hum, eyes meeting her concerned ones. “I’m sorry, Ruby. I was in my head. That was very unprofessional of me.”

“That’s okay. You’re allowed to have off days, too.”

“It’s been an off week.” I force a laugh, knowing not to speak any further on the matter. “You were saying?”

“I’ve never thought about killing someone before that guy,” she states.

“Why him?”

“I don’t know. Something just... came over me, I guess.” Her eyes fall. “Deep down, there was this feeling inside me that he wasn’t a good man.”

He wasn’t. I looked into the guy because I was curious. He had done some jail time for domestic violence. “How did you get the gun?”

“I carry it illegally.” She smirks. “Never know when you might have to defend yourself. Or others in this case.”

Before I can say anything else, the door to the common room swings open, causing Ruby to lose focus on me. Her stare shifts to the right of me, eyes flooding with fear. Furrowing my brows, I turn just a little to see who entered.

Veronica passes the empty chair she normally sits in, which is waiting for her. When she passes us, her eyes flick to mine for a second before she reaches the piano. Sitting on the bench, Veronica raises her hands to the keys, and the soft sound of music fills the room.

“Uhm , Dr. Madden?” Ruby’s voice pulls my attention away from the woman I can’t seem to stay away from. “Is it okay if we end our session early?”

“Of course.”

She says nothing else before she scoots the chair back with a screech and leaves me. With my eyes remaining on the table, I don’t even hear the door shut behind her over the melody that Veronica is playing.

Turning off the voice recorder, I gather my things from the table and make my way over to the piano. She senses my presence and feels me standing behind her, but she doesn’t stop.

“I didn’t know you could play,” I state over the music.

“Took lessons when I was a kid,” she responds, still moving her fingers elegantly over the keys. As she does this, she slides to the left, making room for me. “One of the many extracurricular activities my parents attempted to put me through.”

Setting my belongings on top of the piano lid, I take my seat next to her. “It’s lovely.”

“Thank you.” Her lips curl into a smile. “Did I interrupt your session?”

“Honestly, yes.” I’m just now listening to the song she is playing, realizing I recognize it. Bringing my hands to meet the keys, I play alongside her. “She is afraid of you.”

“Good.” That warm smile that was placed on her lips for me turns wicked. “She should be.”

“Veronica, I need you to promise me something.” I look over at her while still keeping up with the music.

“Last time you asked me to promise you something, it didn’t work out.” Her doe eyes finally meet mine.