“No matter how much I loathe this entire situation, he could’ve at least treated Sophia like the lady she is.”
“No, no, back up,” Kenzo says. “Please tell me you’re not actually thinking of killing him.”
“If I say no, will you get off my fucking case?”
“No, because unfortunately, I know you,” Kenzo sighs, exasperated. He’s silent for a couple of minutes, and I slowly pull out of the parking lot, following the car where Sophia is. “At least tell me when and where, so I can be your alibi.”
My hand tightens around the steering wheel again, and I can’t help but feel an odd sensation in my chest. Why am I even doing this? If I’m not preparing for the finals, I’m stalking Sophia, and always spending time with her. Why the fuck am I like this?
It wasn’t supposed to end up like this.
When this all started back when we were kids, I was curious. She had that unapproachable bubble around her that I wanted to burst just to see what would happen. I’d orchestrated most of our meetings, and those that happened by pure coincidence only further strengthened what I knew about Sophia.
She’s one wicked creature, sent from the Devil himself to tempt and ruin me.
And she won’t be with Damien, not as long as I’m fucking breathing. I claimed her a long time ago, and there’s a reason no one ever asked her out because everyone who tried, ended up with bruises and knocked teeth. I don’t give a fuck how that makes me look, but this woman belongs to me. She always has, and soon enough, she’ll come to understand that there’s no escape from me.
I’ve already made the perfect little cage for her, and I can’t wait to lock her up and throw away the key.
On some sick, twisted level, Sawyer and Astrid getting married only helped me because now, we’re connected in a way that she cannot escape. Every holiday, I’ll be there. At every big celebration, she’ll have to be by my side, whether she likes it or not.
By the time I’m done with her, I’ll make sure she ends up liking it. She’s struggling against the emotions she has for me, whether it be pure lust and desire, or something deeper that she won’t admit.
I won’t leave her with a choice. She’ll have to admit it, and she’ll fucking love every single moment of it.
Then I’ll snatch her away where no other man will ever be able to lay their unworthy eyes on her. First I’ll start with Damien, because clearly, beating up any potential suitors in the past didn’t work. Apparently, I didn’t do it hard enough if Damien got the courage not only to get close to her, but to use their friendship as a guise for his true motivation.
Only a fucking idiot wouldn’t see the way he’s looking at her. And no one should be looking at Sophia like that — like she’s the Sun on a rainy, stormy day, because she isn’t theirs to look at.
I’ll make an example of the moron, and no one else will dare to question my claim over Sophia.
My most prized possession.
THIRTY-THREE
Yetagain, I’m the talk of the academy. With each step I take further into the cafeteria, the more I become aware of the lingering gazes, hushed whispers, and even pointed fingers. The subtlety doesn’t seem to be anyone’s stronger suit within these walls.
Grace spots me from her seat at the table, and she waves me over. Relief floods me when I approach them, taking a seat next to Avalon, across from Grace and Lila. The staring doesn’t stop, but at least it’s no longer bothering me as much.
“God, I want to break their necks,” Grace mumbles, picking up a slice of apple and chomping on it. My tray is in front of me, and suddenly, I feel no appetite whatsoever. No matter how appealing it looks, and how delicious it might be, I can’t force myself to eat.
“What did I do now?” I sigh. “Is it the Christmas ball debacle?”
Avalon nods. “Yeah, apparently, someone still has the photo. We just don’t know who it is.”
Instantly, I tense up, slowly turning my head to the side, looking at Avalon. Her expression mirrors mine, and she’s worriedbeyond words. This isn’t what I needed today, especially not when I’m supposed to be celebrating the fact that I aced all of the re-taken exams.
“How do you know about that?”
“I overheard one of Cassia’s friends talking about it.”
“Oh, great,” my shoulders slump. “Do you think Cassia’s the one who has it?”
Avalon shakes her head. “No. If she had it, she would’ve sent it to everyone by now. And I don’t like this one bit.”
I groan. “You’re telling me? How do you think I’m feeling?”
“No, no,” Avalon shakes her head. “It’s not just the photo. Sinners and Saints has never, ever been this quiet, and I don’t like it.”
