Page 98 of Little Psycho

THE FEEL GOOD DRAG—ANBERLIN

KILLIAN

The bitter drip of the coke trickles down the back of my throat in thick globs, making me cringe as I sniff harder and swallow it all down.The numbing is instant, and I instinctively rub my nose, feeling the high rush through my body, completely numbing my insides, just the way I like it.

All I can think about is Calista.Like a fiend, I can’t get the image of her out of my mind or the taste of her out of my mouth.

Staring into the streaky mirror, I turn the faucet on and cup my hands under the spout, catching the cold water that I splash on my face, trying to wake myself up.Trying to compose myself, I shake off the worry and adjust my suit, loosening my tie slightly, feeling like it’s fucking choking me.

I don’t want to be here.I want nothing to do with my father and his political career.But of course, I have to play the part of the obedient son to help him keep up with appearances.

My stomach swirls with nausea just thinking of how these events usually end, but I try to push it down as far as I can.

“Killian, it’s time to join the party, son,” my father announces through the locked door, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

With him up for reelection, his famous parties are becoming more frequent, which means that my presence is required...which also means that I have to be around my father more than I’d like.

When I open the door, my jaw drops slightly, seeing who's standing next to my father with two glasses of champagne.

“Ah, Killian, I thought that for a second you got lost in there,” he laughs, clapping his hand against my back, guiding me away from the bathroom.

‘No, just not feeling too well.”I tell him, not really lying, because being here with him does make me sick to my fucking stomach.

“I brought someone to help keep you company while you’re here,” he says with a twisted grin, flicking his eyes to the dolled-up girl standing beside him.

“Delilah, what the fuck are you doing here?”I snap at her, trying to comprehend what the fuck is going on.

“You two know each other?”A mixed look of confusion and shock wash over my father’s face, but it doesn’t last long.

“Yeah, and I’m good with her keeping me company,” I fire back, thinking of the talk I had with Calista about not fucking around with her or anyone else.

“I didn’t come here for you anyway, Jackass,” Delilah bites back with a sharp tone, guzzling down one of the flutes of champagne.

“Right,” I scoff, snatching the other one out of her hand, gulping it down in one sip.

“Killian, mind your manners, boy.Delilah’s father is a good friend of mine, and I could use his support, especially right now.”My father glares at me, and that’s when it hits me—Delilah’s father is a fucking pedophile too; that’s how they know each other.

The majority of the high-profile figures that are here are part of the same secret society that my father is mixed up in, along with Dom’s and Ash’s fathers too.

Fed up, I storm away, not giving a fuck about the repercussions of my actions.I need some air.So I bust out the front door and sit on the marble steps, lighting a cigarette.

The smoke curls in the chilly air as I take a long drag, the nicotine mixing with the last remnants of the coke still lingering in my system.It’s a sickening cocktail, but at least it provides a sense of calm that I desperately need.The party rages on behind me, laughter and music spilling through the open door like a toxic haze.

“Yo, Kill,” a familiar voice calls from the shadows of the front lawn.

My heart flips as I turn, half-hoping it’s Calista, but the sight of Dom sends a mix of relief and frustration through me.

“What do you want, Dom?”I snap, already knowing he’s likely come to check on me to make sure I’m okay.It’s sweet, but annoying.

“We need to talk,” he says, his tone serious.

He steps closer, pulling the collar of his jacket tight against the night’s chill.“It’s not safe for you to be here alone.”

“Safe?Here?You’re joking, right?”I puff out a cloud of smoke, the bitter taste staining my mouth.

“Can you sneak away and come home?”he asks, scanning the ground as if expecting someone to jump out at us.“I can’t find Calista, and I’m pretty sure your father knows that we’ve been talking with her,” he whispers in a panic, running his hands through his hair.

“I wouldn’t worry too much,” I tell him.“Knowing her, she’s out stalking her next target.”

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