I cut him off with a lazy smirk that conceals my own rage. “I hope you do.”
The guards drag him away, his shouts fading into the background as the yard slowly returns to its uneasy rhythm. I glance down at the blood on my arm, the wound shallow but messy, and let out a slow breath.
Jennings steps closer, his face a mix of suspicion and annoyance. “Care to explain what that was about?”
I shrug. “He doesn’t like my sparkling personality.”
“That’s something I can believe.”
“Rude.”
Jennings jerks his chin at the main building. “Go to medical.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
I sit on the bleachers, trying to calm the storm raging inside my head before I go indoors and “accidentally” kill someone. Blood drips steadily from the gash, staining the dirt beneath me, but I hardly notice. Not with Skinner’s words echoing in my mind…
“I’m coming for her.”
My muscles tighten, and for a moment, the edges of my vision blur with anger. Skinner thought to weaponize Geneva against me. The audacity of it makes my hands shake. I cross my arms to hide their trembling.
I almost lost control.
For the first time in years, I nearly descended into full-on chaos. The idea of Skinner eventhinkingabout hurting Geneva, let alone coming after her, fucked me. He wanted to provoke me, and he succeeded.
Except, Skinner doesn’t understand what he’s done. He’s put himself on my kill list, and there’s no coming back from that. The moment he brought Geneva into this, he was fucked.
I’m glad he’s going into solitary. Jennings dragging him off was the best outcome I could’ve hoped for. Skinner will stew in there, his mind gnawing at itself, replaying today’s humiliation until it consumes him.
That gives me time to prepare. And do some research.
It all started with Geneva’s testimony. I knew about it when I began stalking her, but now I need to know every detail of that trial, every word she said that helped put Skinner behind bars. I want to understand the case because it’ll help me uncover his triggers, which in turn will reveal his vulnerabilities. All good information to have when I kill him.
Because solitary isn’t forever.
When Skinner gets out, he’ll come for me again. Or worse, he’ll try to make good on his threat to go after Geneva. That’snotan option.
I glance toward the yard’s gates, the world around me beginning to return to normal as my vision clears. The crowd has dispersed, the guards on edge while returning to their posts. My arm throbs, but the pain is insignificant.
I stand, brushing the dust from my pants before I head toward the medical wing. The blood staining my sleeve is a reminder, not just of the fight but of what’s to come. Skinner wanted toleave a mark on me, but he only succeeded in marking himself for death.
Unlike Mason, I’m going to take my sweet time with Skinner.
The thought makes me smile, and I end up whistling all the way to the medical wing.
CHAPTER 28
GENEVA
I’ve spent the past week thinking about Ghost’s “present,” and I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve been using the candle as well. The scent of magnolia, for better or worse, has grown on me.
On my nightstand, the candle burns as I stare at it, sitting cross-legged on my bed. The soft glow illuminates the room, casting shadows that stretch and shift with every movement of the flame. Its presence is both haunting and familiar, like Ghost himself.
I grip the stuffed elephant tighter. He moved the toy. It was intentional. The very thought makes my hands clammy and I force myself to take a steadying breath. If that psychopath wanted to hurt me, he would’ve. However gruesome, that’s a fact.
Then why did he place the elephant next to the box with the candle? Was it to group items from my past and present, so I’d realize they’re connected? Or was it an act of dominion, Ghost’s way of telling me that he can reach the deepest, most vulnerable parts of me?
It’s both.
