Page 99 of Her Wicked Plan

“Why? Because in the past, I didn’t talk about my experience, and it fucked me up even more?”

“I’m here to help you, Veronica. I can’t do that if you don’t talk to me.” My hand runs nervously through my hair.

Helpless. That’s how she’s making me feel.

“You want me to talk about it?” she asks, shooting forward in her chair, causing me to stand up. Her eyes follow my movement. “Fine! Let’s talk about my delightful vacation in solitary. Do you want to start off by explaining how I had to spend my time in complete and utter darkness? Which, by the way, doesn’t normally happen. The light comes on day three, but lucky me, the bulb had died, and the lazy piece of shit guard didn’t feel like fixing it.”

My jaw clenches. A whole damn week with no light? I didn’t realize she’d be left in the dark at all. I figured it would have turned on once I shut the door.

“Or we can talk about how the only thing to keep your mind from driving you absolutely insane was to sleep! Which is hard to do in full silence, but I managed.” She removes her arms from the chair, standing up. Her chest touches my body, and Veronica lifts her hand, finger tapping at her temple. “You start to see shadows in the dark. Figures that are there to haunt you! And let's not even get started on the whispers you hear from those shadows because it’s so damn quiet! It’s almost as bad as hearing the other patients screaming!”

The hand on her head drops to her side as she inhales a deep breath through her nose. My eyes dip to her chest, which is moving frantically while her breathing is out of control.

“Or we can talk about how you basically starve yourself because you have no appetite because of the sheer fear and sadness that overcomes you!” She choked on her words, holding back the tears that desperately need to be released. “Is that what you want to talk about?”

My lips part, the sadness and fear that she felt down there seeping into my skin. I reach my hand forward, brushing my fingers against the back of her hand. She shakes her head, backing away from me.

“Don’t you dare try to comfort me.” She holds her finger up to stop me from getting closer. I ignore it. I keep moving forward, backing her into a wall when she tries to push me away. “You could have helped me not be sent down there.”

“You know I couldn’t.” My hand comes up, wrapping around her wrist, which is on my chest. Peeling her hand off of me, I bring it to my lips. “I had no say in what they would do to you.” Gently, I kiss each of her knuckles, and her breathing stutters. “It’s okay to let it all out.”

She shakes her head, trying her best not to give in to her sadness or the frustration that is built up inside. “I can’t.”

“Yes.” I pause the movements of my lips, letting her hand go and staring deeply into her beautiful eyes. “You can. Don’t hide from me, Vee.”

Suddenly, she gasps for air and sinks down to the floor. Bringing her hands up to cover her face, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably. The tears flow the same as a waterfall, fast and hard. The sounds of her sobs are echoing around the office.

I hate seeing her like this. Not just as my patient but as a person. What does that say about me? That I would feel bad for a woman who murdered someone who is clinically insane—I hate that she’s sad.

I drop to my knees, pulling her hands from her face and cupping her head in my hands. I use my thumbs to wipe away the never-ending tears.

“It’s okay to show emotions when you’ve gone through a difficult time,” I inform her. “You don’t always have to be so tough.”

“I know.”

“I’m sorry that you went through all of this. I can’t sit here and say I understand your feelings because I don’t. I can’t even imagine what you felt when you were alone.” Her eyes produce more tears at my words. “But please know that I am here for you, Vee. Always.”

She quickly raises her eyes at the sound of the nickname I’ve used twice now. The only other times were when we were intimate with each other. This is still intimate, just in a different way.

The rise and fall of her chest slows, and I watch her mouth fall open. Her tired eyes scan down to my mouth.

With my hands still holding her face, I kiss her without thinking. I want to comfort her. And by kissing her, I’m doing that.

As soon as our lips make contact, I sense the stress and new emotions leave her. Veronica’s body relaxes against the door as I deepen the kiss, my tongue pushing past her lips for a taste.

A taste I hadn’t realized I had been missing until now. This kiss differs from the others. Those were frantic, messy, and heated. This one was raw, desperate, and full of emotions.

This is what she needs right now, and I’m thankful I can give it to her.

Breaking the kiss, she brings her eyes up to mine. “How do you always know the right things to say?”

“It’s what I went to school for.” I tuck her hair behind her ear, smiling. “Next time you want to argue with me when I try to tell you something, remember what you just said.”

She lets out a laugh paired with a soft grin. God, I missed that too. “I didn’t say you are always right, Leo. Just in these moments. What you say helps, and I truly appreciate it.”

“I’m just happy I can be there for you.”

Veronica takes a deep breath. “Are we back to our normal schedule now?”