29. Veronica
CHAPTER 29
Veronica
It’s midnight, and I’m pacing around my kitchen, rounding the island multiple times while thoughts reel in my mind.
After Leo left me with another threat, my anger has been at an all-time high. All these promises he makes about getting back at me, making my life a living hell, and what does he have to show for it? Other than the mark he left on me with that knife and a destroyed apartment?
Nothing.
My hand meets my stomach, right in the spot he carved those two lines with the tip of my kitchen knife. The mark was deep enough that it will leave a scar. The palm of my hand presses on it, welcoming the twinge of soreness as I glance around my apartment. That is now put back together.
I wasted money on new plates and pillows for my couch because of Leo. Granted, Slater sent over plenty of money, so buying new home essentials shouldn’t bother me that much. But it’s the fact that Leo came into my safe space and fucked it up.
An idea pops into my mind while I scan my eyes around my place. The neatness of my apartment after being ransacked. It’s about time I got my revenge on him for trashing my apartment.
Stalking into my bathroom, I open the drawer to pick out two Bobby Pins. The black metal shines under the vanity lighting, and I grin. Leaving the room, I make my way towards the front door.
Myles left about two hours ago, and by now, Leo should be snuggled up in his bed, all nice and cozy.
Hopefully, he will be fast asleep, and I can do what I need to before he wakes up.
Out in the hall, I close my door quietly before stepping over to his. Looking left and right, I make sure the coast is clear. Everyone in this place is old, meaning they go to bed around eight, which means I’m good.
I straighten one Bobby Pin and bend the other. Bringing the bent pin up the keyhole, I push the shorter end counterclockwise into the bottom of the lock.
Once that is in place, I stick the straightened Bobby Pin into the lock. My brows dip in concentration as I feel for the pins inside the lock itself. It’s been a while since I’ve broken into someone’s space. The last person was my sister.
I taught myself how to do this by watching videos online and practicing the skills on my bedroom door growing up until I perfected them.
How else was I supposed to sneak into Stephanie’s room to destroy it when I got angry at her?
I wiggle the Bobby Pin around until I hear the click I had been waiting for, and I continue feeling the rest of the small pins. When I find them, I pick up every single one left. Once those are done, I turn the other Bobby Pin, and the door opens.
Smiling to myself, I slowly open the door and step inside. It’s silent and dark. Just what I was hoping for. Shutting the door softly behind me, I walk into the kitchen to throw the pins in his trash can.
The lights are off, but the ones in the parking lot are enough to illuminate his space to allow me to navigate my way. I wander around his island and stare down at his drawers.
Should I have snuck in here and trashed his things when he wasn’t home? Probably. But my anger has a mind of its own and acts on itself. I can’t control it. Never have been able to.
Hauling the drawer open, the utensils lie neatly in a tray. Kind of like how mine were until he decided to give them a new home on the floor.
Picking it up with both hands, I tip the tray forward and watch all the utensils spill onto the floor. They clatter against the wood, and my eyes rise toward his bedroom door. It’s half-open, and I know he heard the noise.
With the tray still in my hand, I chuck it onto the ground and move to his cabinets. Without hesitation, I grab the porcelain plates and toss them over my shoulder. Some immediately fall to the ground while others hit the island, breaking into pieces before meeting the floor.
The sound of a light switch flicking makes me pause my movement, and then I hear him ask, “What the hell are you doing?”
Peering over my shoulder, I offer him a smug smile before I speak, “Thought I would return the favor.”
I resume my movement and throw a plate over my shoulder. I see Leo come closer to me from the corner of my eye. I stop and twist on my feet with a plate still in my hand. I glance at the shattered pieces on the floor and then up to the plates left in the cabinet.
Why does he need this many? It’s only him.
His eyes are on fire, and they heat my skin as he walks towards me.
Not walks. Strolls .
As if he doesn’t have a care in the world. Leo’s body language doesn’t match the darkness in his eyes. He remains calm and collected while approaching me.
As I hold his stare, I frisbee the plate in his direction. The object flying at him causes him to jump out of the way. It flies past him and lands on the floor in the living room.
With him distracted, I grab another plate and hold it in the air. As he walks towards me again, I toss the plate right in front of his bare feet. Sharp shards crash around him.
My eyes are on the ground, where I just threw the plate at him, but I scan them up his body. He’s only in boxers and no shirt. I halt my scanning when I reach his stomach—the spot where I stabbed him, more specifically.
There is a scar from my knife and the surgery he had, and it is in the shape of an X. I bring my hand to my stomach, palm lying flat over the X he left on me. It almost looks the exact same.
“Now we are bonded forever.” His voice is raspy and low because he had been asleep. “Romantic, right?”
I move my eyes up to his face, which is now closer. When did he leave his spot? His body is almost touching mine. I can feel the heat rolling off his skin and enveloping me in flames.
In a quick motion, I reach for another plate, but he is faster. As soon as it is in my grasp, Leo’s hand wraps around my bicep, and he tugs me roughly against him.
His front meets my back, and with his other hand, his fingers dig into my wrist, stopping me from destroying another plate. I attempt to raise my arm but don’t get far.
“If you drop it, you’ll regret it,” he warns with a deep tone in my ear.
“According to you, I’m going to regret many things.” I wet my lips and loosen my fingers' hold on the plate. “What’s one more?”
It falls from my hand and shatters onto the floor. Before Leo can say anything, I stomp on his foot, making him release me.
I dart out of his way, about to round the corner of the island, when I slip a knife out of the wooden block on his counter. The sound of metal sliding out of its home echoes through the kitchen.
With my fingers clasped around the handle, I position myself on the other side of the island. Leo stares at me with his hands slightly raised.
“What are you going to do? Stab me again?”
Shaking my head, I slide my eyes to his living room and find two pillows on his couch. Without a second thought, I rush over to the pillows and immediately stab one. I drag the knife down until I’m satisfied with the size of the wound.
“Like I said, returning the favor.” I chuck the pillow somewhere behind me and go to grab the other one.
Before I can, Leo is behind me. Strong arms envelop me, and I can feel his muscles flex around my body. Like a snake wrapping around its prey. One encircles itself around my waist while the other yanks my arm with the knife down to my side.
“It’s after midnight, and you’re going to cause a disturbance, Veronica.” The warning comes out harshly. “The neighbors could wake up?—”
I thrash myself in his hold as I interrupt him, “Everyone who lives here is old. They’re practically already sleeping with the dead.”
“There is a possibility one of them could wake up,” he hisses through his teeth as his hold on me strengthens. “And if they do, they will call the cops.”
My body freezes against him, and my heart starts to beat erratically.
“If the cops come, then what’s to stop me from telling them who you are?” Leo brushes the tip of his nose along my temple.
“You said you wouldn't.”
“It’s easy for a mind to change.” I feel the pressure of his fingers digging roughly into my side. The pain begins to erase my anger, but I try my best to hold on to the emotion. “Maybe I’m sick of having you around and planning this revenge. What if I want to call the cops? Matter of fact?—”
He releases me and stalks into his bedroom.
“What are you doing?” I crane my neck to peek in there, but it’s too dark to see anything.
Leo walks into the doorway but doesn't go all the way through. He leans against it and stares at his phone.
“Calling the cops,” he tells me without looking in my direction. “You broke into my apartment and destroyed my things.”
“You did the same thing.”
“But you didn’t call the police.” He shrugs.
“I-I didn’t—” I stutter, unsure of what to say.
I didn’t call because I would have been stupid to do so. I might as well have just turned myself in. And Leo’s easily willing to do that now. But then again, he hasn’t made the call. The beating in my chest eases a bit.
A chuckle escapes me before I call him out, “You’re bluffing.”
His head tilts up, and he stares at me through his lashes. “Am I?”
The phone twists in his hand, displaying 9-1-1 on the screen. In a split second, his thumb presses the call button, making me panic.
Throwing the knife on the couch, I run over to where he stands. He allows me to snatch the phone from his grasp, and I quickly hit the end button.
We stare at each other. Fire in his eyes, fear in mine. I’m woman enough to admit I’m afraid of being locked back up at Black Lake. And even more terrified of being sent to prison.
I squeeze his cell phone in my small hand. I want to break it, but even I know I don’t have the strength for that.
“You’re an asshole.” I shove the phone into his bare chest.
He lifts his hands to take the device from me. “And you’re a bitch. Now that we’ve established the obvious… leave.”
The order makes me shake my head in disbelief. Another laugh leaves me. My hands cup my hips, and I tilt my head. Narrowing my eyes at him, I poke the inside of my cheek with my tongue.
“I want my dildo back.”
“Not a chance.”
“Why do you even need it? It’s not like you’re going to use it.” I widen my eyes and cross my arms over my chest. “Unless you’re into that shit. Must miss being someone’s bitch in prison.”
Leo’s jaw ticks. His eyes burn holes into my skin. “I was no one’s bitch . And I’m not using it on myself.”
“Then what? You gonna keep it as a trophy? Or a reminder that it was inside me when it should have been you?”
His eyes darken, and he pushes off the doorframe, taking a single step towards me before he stops. Leo trails his gaze down my body, taking in my sleep shorts and tank top. I watch him let his eyes linger on certain parts of my body until he shakes his head and turns around.
“Get the fuck out of my apartment, Veronica.”
“I’m not leaving without what’s mine.”
Leo twists on his feet and rushes at me. He only stops when my chest touches his. The look he provides me is one full of intimidation. Sucks for him. I’m not backing down.
“You want to walk out of here with it?”
“Yes.”
“Fine.” He gives in, his features darkening even more. The corner of my lip tugs upward but then drops when he says, “Only after you show me how you use it.”