Page 75 of Better Hide

I laugh, but it’s not humorous. “You’d rather kill than feel. Of course I don’t believe you.”

Silence.

“Big words for someone who puts up a fight at every turn.”

Anger fills me again, then helplessness. Why am I even having this conversation? “Fuck you, Jayden. I’m done. Just let me live my life in peace.”

“You’re not done till I fucking say you’re done.”

“Suck a dick.”

“Not my style.”

My emotions bubble over. “I fucking hate you!”

“Good. Hate I can work with.” Jayden rattles the door handle. “You have five seconds to open this, or I’m breaking it.”

“Go to hell.”

“Fully plan on it. Four.”

“Leave me alone.”

“Three.”

“Jayden!”

His voice gets dangerously low, “Two. Look away from the door.”

“Fuck off!”

“One,” he growls. “Close your eyes and face away from me.”

“You can’t do shit.” But the way Jayden backs up and ducks down scares me. He pops back up and slams something against the back window. It shatters, glass flying everywhere. I duck instinctively.

“I warned you.” Jayden reaches around, unlocks my door, and rips it open. “You always have to test me, hmmm?”

I scramble to get away, but two huge, warm hands grip me by the shoulders and yank me out of the car.

I fight, kicking and clawing.

“Now, now.” Jayden yanks me to the front of the car and slams me on the hood. His strong arms hold me down. “Let me show you just how much I don’t care.”

I twist to get away, but Jayden has hooked one arm through my right one, cranking it up on my back until fiery hot pain shoots through my shoulder.

“Relax, and I’ll let it go.”

“Fuck…you,” I huff. I get up on my tiptoes to escape the pressure, but Jayden just follows me.

“For once in your damn life, listen.”

The pain is sharp enough that I hiss in a breath and stop. As soon as I stop moving, Jayden releases some pressure.

“There you go. That’s a good girl. Was that so hard?”

I feel his other hand feeling for my other arm. The one I cut.

“Fuck off.” I try to pull it away, and instantly, the wave of pain slams into my shoulder.

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