Page 80 of Brutal Prince

“Psychopaths don’t normally need valid reasons for killing people,” she blatantly stated. “You might be disappointed.”

“Disappointment is my middle name. And he was only sixteen. He killed him two years after we met on summer break.”

“Psychopathic behavior can show in children as young as six.”

I rubbed my tired eyes with the foot of my palm. “I’ve got this, Delaney. Please let me continue.”

She hesitated.

“I’ll be going to see him whether you agree or not.”

“I expected that after everything you were saying to each other and it honestly sounded like you were genuinely fond him.”

“I’m a good actor,” I lied. “Did it sound like he was genuinely fond of me?” I regretted asking as soon as the words dropped from my mouth. I guess I was seeking confirmation that he had feelings for me, because it certainly felt like it when I was in his presence.

“I’m not going to answer that,” she said and I was both disappointed and relieved that she didn’t.

We ended the call and I stepped out into the living room to get a glass of water, before heading to bed. My head was spinning so much I barely acknowledged Mom, who was always in the same place on her bed in the living room watching TV.

The room fell deadly silent and I snapped my head up to look at the cause. Mom had switched the TV off and was staring at me across the room, her fingers laced together. I knew this look well, she was ready to have a discussion whether I wanted to talk or not.

“What?”

“Gertie, what’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“That’s bullcrap and you know it. You’re lying about where you are to not only your friends but to me, and when you are home, you’re distant. Your body is here, but your mind is on another plane.”

I took a sip of water while an argument took place in my mind.

“Gertie, are you in trouble?”

“No.” I took another sip of water, avoiding her eye. She needed an explanation, but not at the sake of endangering her life. “You know all those awful rapes and murders that have been going on at school?”

She narrowed her eyes, tilting her head to the side. “Yes,” dragging the word out.

“Well I’m part of a group of people gone undercover to find out who the perpetrators are.”

“Oh?”

“There are a lot of people involved in the ring and it goes back decades.”

“And Ollie?”

“Ollie is part of the undercover op. He’s my protector.”

I could tell by the look on her face that I wasn’t convincing her. “Why did you lie to him that night? You said to me that you were with him and told him you were at home with me. So, if he’s your protector why did you lie to him?”

“I was asked to meet someone, a suspect, and we didn’t want Ollie there for obvious reasons.”

“We? The police?”

“It’s gone beyond the police. I’m working with the feds.”

“FBI?”

“Yes.”

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