Page 18 of The Unravelings

But I see him. His face. The tears on his skin. The emotions cloud his features as he lifts her again with renewed strength and takes her out of view.

I follow close behind when I finally climb to my shaky feet. Nothing has ever affected me like this has. Watching her emerge from the flames of her home before it collapsed in on itself. I didn’t see how it all started. I didn’t see anything until she was safely in his arms with her eyes closed and blood fresh on her body.

JJ and Mack walk side by side toward their home on the hill, softly discussing something. I cock my head, attempting to see if he’s told him anything or if he knows anything. I wonder how much it will tear them apart when they realize she’s alive and a select few know.

Even a few within their ranks. I grin at the possible future—the fallout.

Ahhh. It will be a glorious day to see the three of them at each other’s throats. Enemies instead of lovers. Then, I can swoop in and steal my girl and take her away from all this fuckery. Well, that’s in the plans, anyway. No matter what, my little ghost will be forever mine. Even if I have to chain her to my bed and hold her in my room for days on end while she comes to terms with the fact that she belongs to me. Maybe Wilder. But just us. Fuck Franco’s precious heirs. They don’t have a say in who my little ghost chooses.

Ohhh. My dick perks up at that. Having her at my disposal. We can make up for lost time.

Hmmm. I wonder what her dorm looks like. I should sneak in, lie in her bed, and leave her a little present—a token of my appreciation to her. Oh, yes. That sounds delightful. There are certain ways to travel through campus without being seen. Places that normal students aren’t aware of.

5

Olivia

Waiting sucks. Especially when you’re all alone in a crowded diner. Dishes clattering. Waitresses running around, taking orders, pouring coffee, and soft drinks. The smell of it all hits me, and my stomach flutters with the need for caffeine.

And my best friend.

Crushing loneliness weighs on my shoulders. It follows me wherever I go. Despite Simon. Despite Jordy or this crowded diner.

I’m utterly alone with sharks in the water, circling their blood sacrifice.

Me.

My dark past continuously haunts me and drags me beneath the waves. I’m barely surviving. Knowing I’ll face the men who murdered me and laughed while I burned sends panic through my veins. It’s like every turn on campus or in this town brings me one step closer to failure.

Now more than ever.

JJ. God, JJ. The horror-struck look he gave me when he turned from the door and looked me up and down.

He knew.

I saw the recognition in his eyes before he could utter the word Spitfire or sign the name he gave me in ASL.

Now, they’ll all know who I am and seek to finish what they started.

My death is imminent. And Jonathan has signed my execution by forcing me to remain here. Or maybe it truly is his boss, the man completely in charge of Veritas, who never shows his face.

I rub my temple with shaky hands, trying to focus on the things around me. I wave down the waitress, and she pours me another cup.

“Thank you,” I rasp through the heavy emotions clogging my throat.

“No problem, darlin’. You waiting to order?” she asks, popping her hip out.

“Waiting for a friend,” I say, wrapping my fingers around the warm coffee cup and reveling in the heat.

She nods, taking off to another table, and says another waitress will be by to check on me when I’m ready.

I groan when the heat of my second cup enters my mouth and slides down my throat.

I need more coffee than this. By the gallons. Maybe a margarita. Or a damn vacation. I hear Jamaica is nice this time of year.

You know what? How about all three? I deserve everything after giving my all and still getting caught by JJ.

That fucker.