Page 80 of Pretty Monsters

I can fight for him, with him, but I won’t fight him to love me. Without another word, I walk away from him. Every step I take hurts.

26

Instinct

Sin

The momentshe walks away from me I want to beg her to come back. I can't though. It isn't fair for me to hold on to her when doing so makes me miss what should have been obvious. It will be hard not turning to her, she's under my skin, hell she's my fucking soul. She's also a distraction, and I can't lose focus now. If I do, it could get us all killed.

Losing Raven isn't an option.But you did just lose her,my brain supplies. I rub the ache in my chest. At least she'll be alive and free. Loving someone means sacrifice. I'd do anything for her, even leave her if it keeps her safe.

I shower and change quickly, fighting the urge to scrub my skin raw in the shower. Every moment I spend in the same building as her makes me want to chase her down and apologize. I can't though. She'll understand some day, or maybe she won't, but she'll be safe so I can learn to live with it.

Dressed in black military pants, boots, and a sleeveless hoodie, I go downstairs to Ted. I've hidden a gun in the waistband of my pants. I usually prefer to make my kills look like accidents, but I'm hoping we can grab Jess without anyone dying.

Raven isn't in the main part of the gym when I make it down. Ford gives me a disapproving glare and stalks off to the shooting range. Probably joining Raven.

I can't think about the fact he's going to be able to comfort her now, or I'll lose my shit. Another distraction I don't need.

"Ready?" Ted asks.

I nod. Together we head outside and climb into his car. It's a standard, silver sedan. The kind you see on nearly every street in America. It doesn't stand out, which I realize is exactly why he chose it. Ted's entire persona is crafted to blend in, and it works.

There aren't any cameras in the parking lot of the Fallen Angel, but Ted still sticks to the shadows in the parking lot and pulls around toward the back. We cut it close, only arriving five minutes before Lucien said she would be leaving work.

Ten minutes pass, and there's no sign of her anywhere. Finally, she emerges from the building. She's jittery, obviously needing her next fix. I'm not sure what she's on, but it's already taken its toll on her in the short time she's been gone.

Most strip clubs have a bouncer who walks the girls out to their cars. I'm ready for it, but no one else follows behind her.

"Which car is hers?" I ask Ted.

"She doesn't have one. I think she walked here."

If that isn't a commentary on how little she values her life, I don't know what is.

"See if you can get her to come with you to the car," I suggest. It would be better if she comes willingly, not that she has a choice. She's coming with us if I have to knock her out and shove her in the trunk.

He morphs into the other version of himself right before my eyes. And people think I'm a sociopath. At least I don't present a false face to the world.

Ted smiles and says something to her I can't hear. She returns his smile and follows him to the car. I've moved over to the driver's side because I can't risk her trying to get out if she recognizes me from the bar.

Once she's in the backseat he closes the door, and I engage the child locks while he jumps into the passenger seat. Jess catches my eye in the rearview mirror and tries the handle over and over.

"What's going on, Teddy?" she says in a pitiful childlike tone.

"We're going to get you some help," he says, oozing that false nice guy schtick.

She pouts. "I don't need help, and I don't want to be around him."

"Tough shit," I grumble and step on the gas.

* * *

Jess fights tostay in the car the moment I pull up to the gym. "I'm not letting that psycho take me into some abandoned warehouse. That's how women end up dead."

She doesn't recognize the change in Ted, or rather the unveiling of who he really is. All she sees is the lovable jokester she's always overlooked. I could take lessons from this guy, which is scary as fuck.

"You'll stay out here with me though?" he asks, cocking his head to the side and studying her.

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