Page 30 of By Sin To Atone

“What?”

“You said you needed to, so do it. Then you can shower, and I can get on with my business.”

I gesture to the door for him to go.

He cocks his head like he doesn’t understand.

“You’re not watching me.”

“You lost all your rights to privacy when you decided to blackmail me.” He checks his watch. “You have one minute. I’m a busy man.”

“I’m fine. I don’t need to go.”

“Suit yourself. Get in the shower.”

“I’m not showering while you watch either.”

“You need to get the blood off you.”

“I wouldn’t be bleeding if it wasn’t for you.”

“You wouldn’t be here at all if you hadn’t decided to blackmail me. In. Now.”

I think it may be stupid, but I dig my heels in and shake my head.

“No? Okay, how about this.” He takes a step toward me. “Let’s learn lesson number one.” He takes another step and I have to take one back. “We’ll change roles, shall we?”

“What does that mean?”

“I’ll be the blackmailer and you be the blackmailee. Is that a word?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your sister left you a voice message. She sounds sweet.”

“What?”

“A knock-knock joke she’s waiting on?”

I feel my face pale.

He raises his eyebrows. “You should really text Wren back. And honestly, I’m curious myself. I mean, who doesn’t love a good knock-knock joke?”

“Give me my phone.”

“Step into the shower.”

“Give me my phone.” I wipe away a stupid traitor tear.

“Into the shower. You’ll piss. Then you’ll wash yourself and when I’m satisfied, you may tell Wren the rest of that joke. You left her hanging on a cliff, Blue. That’s not very nice, considering her mental state?—”

“Go to hell!” I scream and fling myself at him.

He catches me easily, gripping my arms and backing me into the glass wall of the shower. The tips of his shoes brush my bare toes.

“No, sweetheart, you go to hell. What’s happening here and now? That’s all your own doing. Tell me something. How does it feel, Little Convict? Being blackmailed? Having someone else take control of your life?”

“This is different. Wren’s… sick.”

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