Speaking into the phone, I whisper, “Hello, Dad.”
His eyes dart to the camera as if he can see me.
“Remember when you told me to take off my mask?” I exhale shakily. “I hope you don’t regret that.”
Jarod Cross blinks rapidly…
“The first thing I want you to do is lift the wine glass,” I order.
On the screen, Jarod Cross hesitates.
“Lift. It,” I growl.
I can see him trembling as he curls his fingers around the wine and raises it to eye level.
Across the table, Kurosaki’s lips curl up.
“Now, pour the wine on the ground.”
Kurosaki’s victorious smile shifts to fury. The fork he had in his grip clatters to the plate, and his lips disappear into a thin line.
Jarod Cross wastes no time. He hurriedly pours out the wine.
Dutch and Zane look on in silent horror.
“Now,” I speak slowly and deliberately. “Tell Dutch and Zane to leave, get into their car, and drive straight home.”
Jarod says something to them. Dutch and Zane watch each other in confusion, but they both push their chairs away from the table and speed out of the restaurant.
“Enough!” He waves a hand angrily and someone comes to snatch the phone from me. Kurosaki snarls, “What a waste of an opportunity.”
“If you call me a leader, then don’t expect me to blindly follow orders.” I jut my chin at him. “Even yours.”
He grinds his teeth together. “I am trying toprotectyou.”
No, he’s trying to turn me into the very monster Jarod Cross wanted to see.
And maybe they’re both right. Maybe I will become a monster, but I won’t become a pawn in either Kurosaki or Jarod Cross’s hands.
I won’t ever be a monster on a leash.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
J
My Jinx phone rings and rings. It’s Kelly calling. She hasn’t stopped since the day Shawn’s lawyer told her about the divorce.
The phone goes silent.
Then it starts screaming again.
I haven’t picked up, obviously.
Kelly doesn’t know thatI’mthe one who sent a Jinx-text to her husband, and I’m not going to make her any wiser.
However, I do feel kind of bad that I made a very painful situation worse. By the way she keeps calling, Kelly’s beyond upset.
But she’s targeting the wrong person.
