Chapter 53
Murder. Deceit. Lies. One thing about that shit—it always catches up with you.
Even if you cover your tracks. Kieran warned me that while Vesper and I were gone, the groundskeeper located Jax’s body.
Mortensen won’t announce that shit to the school until after the holiday break.
I didn’t even have a free moment to warn Vesper that he knows.
Not sure if he put two and two together, but judging by the fact he called us into his office, I’ll say it’s likely.
Mortensen paces around his mahogany desk.
My eyes stay trained on his movements. Vesper cowers in the leather seat next to me.
I knew nothing good would come of this meeting.
I brace myself for his fuckery. There’s a reason Kieran can’t stand this asshole.
He’s a fuckin’ vulture, thirsty for insatiable power to wield. Always on a power trip.
“I am well aware of your secrets.”
His hardened face carries a hint of a threat, and I don’t take kindly to that fuckin’ shit. Problem is, this is no longer just about me. Fuck what happens to me. But her. She’s untouchable as long as I’m in the picture. My insides boil.
Vesper sits up straight next to me. She doesn’t have the years of practice hiding her emotions beneath the surface the way I do. We gotta work on that.
I wear my careful mask. I can play his games.
Who do you think invented this shit? I lean forward and rest my elbows on my knees.
I tilt my head, dissecting his motives. Could be about the Void.
Could be about Jax’s body. Hell, could be about Pearson’s death.
Just needed some time to figure shit out, Thought I’d offer her a little reprieve before I force myself to marry her.
“What do you think you’re holding over my head, Mortensen?” I say, purposely using his first name. It’s unauthoritative and demeaning to a guy like him.
The fuck bag doesn’t scare me. Roland funnels so much money into this school Mortensen can’t afford to lose it.
Lose me. Doesn’t matter how deep into Void Roland is.
Money is money. Mortensen knows good and fuckin’ well he has nothing over me.
No proof. He doesn’t want to be implicated in any scandal by the other Elites.
Even though Roland and I don’t talk, he would fight for me with all he has if I asked. The guy is a pushover.
His lips thin, and he looks at Vesper. She holds her head down like a little girl who got scolded by daddy.
“Don’t look at her, look at me,” I say in a vitriolic growl.
His eyes snap back to me with a coated smirk. “Interesting, is it not? A cold, useless bastard such as yourself falling for a listless little lamb. Your sister no less. How shameful.” His lips curl in disgust and repulsion.
He fuckin’ knows? How the fuck does he know? FUCK.
He circles my chair. He’s trying to get under my skin. My chest undulates. I grasp the leather armrests to keep my impulse to kill him at bay. Gotta keep it together.
He tsks. “It’s a shame she’s wasted on the likes of you. Our Elites could have fun with her. Especially Slade.”
Before he gets another word out, I’m lunging from my seat. He grins as wide as the Cheshire cat the moment I crowd myself into his space. My hands shake at my sides, but I force restraint.
Vesper whimpers from behind me. Her tear-stained eyes look towards Mortensen. He chuffs. “So easy to ruffle your feathers, Mr. Lark.” He cocks his head. “Or should I say Mr. Riley.” He fuckin’ knows everything.
I rein in the last of my self-control. “You will not take what is mine,” I snarl, ignoring Vesper’s sobs. This isn’t where I wanted to explain this shit to her. Wanted her to know I can handle my shit. Handle her. Handle us
Mortensen shoulders past me and stands before my songbird. “Did he not tell you? He’s unwell. A schizophrenic whack job.” He smiles cruelly, making her squirm.
Her face flashes with fear and realization. She had an inkling about my voices, but I kept a tight rein on it. I’m. Not. Weak. The blindfold has finally been removed. I see red. The voices come to a head, demanding retribution.
Kill him. Burn him. Cut him into pieces.
I tap the side of my skull with my fist and let out a shrill, primal sound. My eyes snap closed and my breath comes in quick succession.
Shut up. Shut up. Shut up!
“Down killer, I only wanted to warn you. Do not fuck with me, the Void, or the natural order of things. You are nothing. I allowed you into our world, though at a safe distance as a courtesy to Roland. Fuck with me, and I will destroy you. You’ve already poisoned Kieran’s mind with your cynical, psychotic mindfuckery! ” he shouts, startling Vesper.
I don’t take well to threats. No one controls me. Ever. I will slit his throat as he sleeps and force his nut sack down his throat. I’m desensitized to bloodshed and violence.
His eyes flicker to Vesper. “Oh, Miss Riley, it’s a shame about your father.” He smiles politely as if he didn’t just threaten us. He starts to the door with a calm, arrogant slowness.
Vesper’s eyes practically bug from their sockets. She opens her mouth to speak, but I quiet her with the wave of my hand.
I wrench Vesper from her seat and plod towards the door, desperate to be out of his suffocating grasp. My demons are demanding justice. Can’t be held accountable for my actions if I stay. I’ll rip him to shreds.
The moment we’re out of his office, I pace like a caged animal in the quiet, twilight courtyard. The cold rushes over my skin like a welcoming vice.
Vesper tries to settle me down—“Zain,” she says, reaching her hand out to calm the monster within—but she knows I’m dangerous in this state.
I push her away. I don’t trust myself. “No.”
She doesn’t relent. “I’m here with you, Zain. I need you to calm down so we can talk. Please. The voices will stop if you just let me touch you!” She continues pressing me until I break.
I slam my body into hers and grasp her forearms with a bruising hold.
My breath comes in quick succession. Her eyes are soft and welcoming, with not even a hint of fear anymore—something I’m not used to.
My mind quiets the moment she leans into me.
Her soft, pliable body molds against mine.
Never been this intimate. I take. I break.
I destroy. Never been worthy of affection.
My core shakes, and I’m dying for a fix.
“Are they quiet?” she murmurs against my chest. I nod.
“I need you to stop lying to me, and I need your trust.”
The truth. Nothin’ has ever been simple with us. Each step of the way has been lies, vengeance, death, and destruction. It’s what we are. What we will always be. Volatile and toxic. I break away from her touch. Feels like I’m losing a part of myself, but I refuse to be weak.
“Kieran told you Slade is dangerous. He wanted you for his own. Mortensen will stop at nothing to protect his school and the Void.”
Her body goes rigid and understanding dawns. “So will he use me… Will he—”
I cut her off. “It won’t come to that,” I say simply, assuaging her discontentment.
She searches my face for more answers. Nothing else needs said. Keeping her in the dark is easier. She’s too fuckin’ fragile. Too easily manipulated. Only I can do those things to her. The urge to protect her from this fucked-up shit is strong. Too fuckin’ strong.
“I’ve got a plan. Not sure you’re gonna like it. Not giving you much of a choice though.
You trust me?” I ask, digging for a cigarette in my jeans.
Doesn’t matter if she trusts me or not. She’s gonna marry me even if I tie her down and defile her at the altar.
If she’s my girl, she can’t be used and passed around.
As if I would allow her to get away. The thought coils a smirk on my face.
This is the way to keep her in my grasp. She’s mine. Force always prevails.
She’s hesitant but nods slowly. Her nerves are on edge now. Can always tell with her. She’s a shaky mess inside. I flick my lighter open and let the nicotine coat my lungs.
The shakes subside, and I can finally think straight.
“Open your mouth,” I command. Her mouth opens wide. I take a heavy drag before expelling the smoke into her throat. “Close. “She hums and her body noticeably relaxes. “Good. Now let’s head to the church,” I smirk. I have a hold on her, and I ain’t never letting go.