Page 125 of Sin Like the Devil

I’ll even make it look real.

But the moment his house of cards begins to fall, I don’t intend to stick around to bear the consequences. Even if that means shedding the person I am and the life I’ve fought so hard to resume.

Instead, I’ll run.

And leave my soul behind.

CHAPTER 20

RIPLEY

LOVE ABUSER (SAVE ME) – ROYAL & THE SERPENT

“The news is saying it’s a once in a lifetime storm. Half the country is underwater.”

Pierced nose pressed against the glass, I study the violent sheets of rain hammering into the ground like machine gun fire. The deep, almost purple clouds that have been looming over several days finally burst open a few hours ago.

“You read the news?” I laugh.

“No,” Rae snorts. “I listen to gossip. Other people read the news.”

We’re standing on the grand staircase, gathered around one of the huge stained glass windows. Several other patients hang nearby to watch the apocalyptic light show of thunder and lightning. Crackles illuminate the night sky, tearing apart the heavens.

Already, the ground is saturated and overflowing with murky rainwater. The quad is slowly turning into a quagmire. We’ve all been confined to the main building until further notice.

“You think it’ll wash this shit hole away?” she asks hopefully. “We can all swim to safety.”

“Where’s safe, Rae?” I sigh.

“Literally anywhere but here. I saw that dickhead guard, Elon, break someone’s nose with that kinky baton thing he loves so much the other day. He fucking laughed.”

“Believe me, there’s nothing kinky about that baton.” I shudder at the thought.

“You’re missing the point. He broke her nose!”

I wish that was shocking to me. In any normal hospital or secure facility, it would be big news. A disciplinary matter for sure, maybe even a public scandal. But not here. Not in the shadows.

Remembering Bancroft’s words, I force myself to respond. “She should’ve followed instructions, then.”

Rae turns her attention from the storm to gape at me. “You’re kidding? No one deserves that.”

“I don’t know what else to tell you. It’s her own fault.”

Several of the other patients clustered nearby are listening but keeping their gazes averted. Like if somehow they displease me, I’ll arrange a personal nose-breaking of their own.

“Seriously, Rip?”

“Follow the rules, and you won’t get hurt. It’s simple.”

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Rae’s head rears back, her brows drawn.

“I’m just saying that we all need to comply.”

“They shouldn’t be using violence in the first place! You’re sick for condoning it.”

“Do we have a problem here?” I clip out.

Whatever she sees in my expression causes her eyes to bug out. Rae takes a step back and shakes her head.

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