Page 18 of Her Wicked Plan

With him staring at me how he is, his eyes turning a darker shade of green due to the anger from my confession, I would drop to my knees for this man. I’d show him that my mouth isn't only useful for making smart remarks.

He would enjoy it. He could be thinking the same things I am. Probably not, though, seeing as this is supposed to be professional and I am his patient, but a girl can imagine, right?

“I’m going to take your silence as a no; you’re not married.” My intense gaze becomes too much for him. Leo glances down at the yellow notepad in his lap. “I don’t feel like talking about my sister today. Is there anything else you want to ask me? Or can I ask you more questions?”

“We don’t have to talk about your sister today.” He clears his throat and assertively adds, “You won’t be asking me any more questions.”

“Yes, sir.” I salute, pretending to be all serious, until I notice his expression. The muscle in his jaw ticks, pursing his lips. He can try to hide it all he wants, but I can tell he likes it when a woman calls him sir.

He's too fucking easy to read.

“Why did you claim insanity in court?” He moves on.

“Are you serious?” I chuckle at the question. “This place is a walk in the park compared to prison.”

“You pleaded guilty because you agreed you had done something wrong, then claimed insanity because you wanted to avoid prison?”

“Mhm.” I hum. “Then I came here, and it turns out that I am insane. Per the tests they did on me.”

“You think the tests were wrong? You don’t think there is anything mentally wrong with you?”

“Maybe there is. Maybe there isn’t.” I shrug. “Do you think something is wrong with me, Dr. Madden?”

“This is our first session, Veronica. Ask me in a couple of weeks,” he advises.

“I thought I wasn’t allowed to ask you questions,” I roll my lips together, hiding a smirk.

“Only when I tell you it’s okay.”

“Okay, I’ll ask you then.” I agree. “How is this going to work? Do we meet once a week, twice a week?”

“Twice a week would be fine. We can meet one day here and then in my office. Or we could meet on both days here in the common room or in my office. I want you to be comfortable in the space we talk in.”

I go over the options in my head. Even though I don’t mind sitting in the common room discussing all my issues, the thought of being alone with him in his office is very appealing to me. At that thought, I lie.

“Your office would work. It is more private. Don’t want all these people to hear my life story.” Using my finger, I motion to the people around us while staring at him.

“That sounds good. Let's say we will meet every Tuesday and Thursday at one.” He writes the information without my response and then clicks the pen, making the tip disappear. “That should be all for today, Veronica.”

He tucks away the folder and the notepad in his briefcase before he stands up.

“It was nice meeting you, Leo.” I push myself out of my chair, the journal at my side. “I believe we will get along just fine.”

“I hope so.” He gives me a small, unsure smile.

I remain standing, watching him walk out of the common room. When he leaves my vision, I sit back down.

Digging for another pen from my pocket that I stole off Edith’s desk, I open my journal to a new page with a dark spot and bring the pen to the paper.

CHAPTER 6

Leo

As soon as I dismissed our session, I left the common room but didn’t get far. A few steps down the hall is all I get before my back meets the wall, out of view of the woman I had just met, and I take a much-needed deep breath. Veronica is not what I expected.

At first glance, she seems like an ordinary girl. One that doesn’t belong here, but when she looks at you? Fuck. There is a wickedness in her eyes that I’ve never seen in a person before.

Not even any of my patients. Her gaze sent chills down my spine, making me hold back the shiver to keep my cool.