Page 18 of Marked

“I can do it,” Riley insists, taking a step forward. It amuses me to see her hands curled up into little fists as she glares at Jack.

She chokes up, clearing her throat harshly before she produces a few more words.

“I want it to be done. I want to get the fuck out of this.”

She’s trembling now, grimacing as if she was in pain. I know she’s holding back tears when she turns to me, the look on her face so fierce and tense that it pains me. Her determination is compelling, but it’s not what makes her look at me like this.

She knows.

She knows there’s no light at the end of the tunnel for her.

She knows that I’m lying—and she’s pleading for me to help her.

Because I’m the only one who can.

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