Sonya tapped her stylus against the tablet. “It’s complicated.”
“Then uncomplicate it for me and tell me why Freak thinks it’s okay to record the torture.”
“You shouldn’t call him ‘Freak’.”
I knew that. But for some fucking reason, every time I said it to his face, he raised an eyebrow, and that was the closest I think he ever came to a reaction.
“I know, but he likes it.” Well, hereactsto it, and I love seeing him react to me when he barely interacted with anyone else apart from Doc.
It killed me that Ilikedthat he reacted.
“So, the uncomplicated version,” she began, reading from her screen. “The primary type is born a psychopath—reduced fear response, shallow emotional processing, almost no capacity for empathy.”
“That soundsexactlylike him.”
“Not quite.” She tilted her head and frowned. “It says most primary psychopaths are impulsive. They chase stimulation. They escalate, burn out, end up in prison, or die. But Leon Novak is controlled,” she said. “Which means that he’s a high-functioning psychopath.” I huffed because that was what Doc had said, too. “People like Novak build a framework they operate inside and have lines they decide not to cross.” I stared at her, and she huffed. “Meaning he chooses violence because it’s necessary,” she added. “Not just to react.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“Maybe?”
“He sent me his version of torture porn and narrated every fucking step.”
Sonya watched me for a moment, stylus resting against her lower lip. “You know he only ever showsyouhis work,” she said. “It’s kinda cute him wanting you to see he did it right, so you can be proud of him. I think he likes you.”
“Fuck off.”
“He stares at you.” She raised her eyebrows. “And the recording is his way of giving you flowers, only his version involves knives and more screaming.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but the memory of Novak’s gaze on me flickered through my head before I could stop it. Then there was the whole stalking thing, and the way I couldn’t quite ignore him, my attention caught on him more than it should have.
“He doesn’t do that for anyone else,” she added.
“You’re creating something out of nothing,” I snapped.
“I’m serious.” She tilted her head and smirked. “He probably wants you to be hisboyfriend.”
I barked a laugh. “Fuck no.”
“Why not?”
“Because he’sNovak.” I mean, that was all I had to say, right?
“That’s not a reason.”
“It is when the man solves problems with a body count.”
Sonya shrugged. “Lots of people have questionable hobbies.”
“His form of torture and murder isn’t a hobby, Sonya.”
“Still,” she said mildly. “He clearly wants your attention, and the poor guy probably doesn’t think it will upset you.”
I bristled. “Poor guy, my ass. And I’m not upset.” I didn’t like how easily he got under my skin.
“Sure.”
“I’m not.”
