I’m sure she’s very much aware of who Dread is, and maybe even who I am, but as far as his bullying—he doesn’t exactly hide it, but he doesn’t broadcast it to the world, either. So, unless she was in our vicinity often or even associated in the same circles, it’s entirely possible she doesn’t know much about what Dread and his friends have put me through these last four years.
And by the way her jaw is set with irritation as she glances at Severen with reservation, she truly does seem out of the loop.
“Good to know you’re not here to hurt me,” I say, keeping my tone neutral, though it draws Severen’s and Dread’s attention. “I’ll try to keep that in mind next time Severen chains me to a flagpole in five-degree weather in the middle of the night and then leaves me out there to die.”
Am I slightly hoping to sabotage Severen’s chances with her? Absolutely. But unfortunately, I can look at him and see that, objectively, he’s a very fine specimen of a human being. So the chances are low, but the attempt might be fun.
Octavia’s eyes round at the corners, and then her head whips to Severen, silently demanding an explanation. He sighs, glancing at me with contrition, like I sold him out.
That gets a triumphant smile out of me.
“I also texted Dread to let him know she was two seconds from taking the Grim Reaper’s hand, so technically, you could argue I saved her life.”
Oh,thatpisses me off. I lean into the table, narrowing my eyes and staring at him with all the venom I can muster.
“The hoops you just jumped through to make yourself the hero are truly astounding,” I say dryly. “You almost forgot to mention how the three of you left a chopped-up, bloodied dummy in my room that you made to look very real andverymuch like the Locksmith murders. Then, you proceeded to beat down my door dressed as a cop and pretended to arrest me.” Severen opens his mouth, but I hold up my pointer finger, stopping him. “Oh, but let’s not forget, there’s still a fuckingcopycat murdereron the loose, and the FBI thinks he and Lionel could beworking together. And guess who just found out earlier that day Lionel was being released, and thought he was sending me a message through the copycat? I had every fucking reason to believe that dummy wasreal.”
“Shit,” Dread curses beneath his breath, but I remain unsympathetic to his realization. He doesn’t get to act guilty now.Noneof them do.
Severen’s expression drops, any trace of amusement having vanished. “I didn’t know that part,” he defends quietly.
I scoff. “Would it have changed anything?”
When he only rolls his tongue in his cheek, I have my answer.
I swing my gaze to Dread, glowering at him. “I don’t know why you’re acting so surprised. It shouldn’t be shocking to hear my mind went to the copycat, considering he hasn’t been fucking caught yet. Isn’t that what you wanted, anyway? For me to think it was real?” He opens his mouth to speak, but I’m too heated to let him get a word in. “Just like you probably wanted me to think it was real when youkidnappedme last night, right? Except little did you know, Lionel’s actually out now, so I thought it was really him this time.”
“What the fuck?” Octavia mutters.
Dread’s face hardens, sharp angles creating a beauty that can only be described as cruel.
“No,Reverie. There wasn’t a single fucking second where I wanted you to think anyone else had you butme,” he snarls. “The copycat has never murdered outside of California, and you seem to have forgotten I didn’tknowLionel was being released. So, no, I didn’t consider your mind would go to either one of them. If you needed me to announce myself, then maybe you shouldn’t have stolen my fucking letter so I’d know that’s where your head would go.”
“I wouldn’t have stolen it if you didn’t nearly kill me the night before! You were willing to go that far before you found out, and I knew you’d do worse after. And guess what? You did! You gave me that stupid fucking ultimatum, remember?”
His eyes turn ice cold.There’sthe Dread I know so fucking well. He’s pissed off because I said fucking him is worse than almost dying.
Good.
“What did you do last night?” Severen asks quietly, his brows pinched as he peers at his best friend with an emotion I’m too enraged to decipher.
Dread clenches his jaw, keeping his gaze locked on me while I turnmy focus to Severen. A humorless laugh escapes me before I snap, “He fucked me.”
Severen’s brows jump, clearly not expecting that response.
I look at Dread again, holding his tundra stare as I tell his friend, “But only because if I didn’t let him, he’d drown me. Right,babe?”
Octavia gasps while I vibrate with rage. I hadn’t even realized how furious I’ve become until my bottom lip trembles.
However, Dread doesn’t deign me with a response, probably because the fucker knows there’s nothing he can say right now.
Inhaling deeply, I straighten and glance at Octavia, who’s gaping at the two men like they’ve shape-shifted right before her eyes. I suppose, in a way, they did.
After a few beats, she turns to settle a death glare on her boyfriend. Her left eye steadily twitches, and her reddened face gradually brightens, like it’s on the verge of exploding.
I’m too angry to feel any sense of victory.
Releasing my breath, I refocus on Severen and tilt my head while the corners of my lips stretch into a tight, sardonic smile.
