Page 81 of Victorious Vice

“We need to speak in private.”

I raise my hands to either side of my body, gesturing around the room. “What the hell do you call this?”

He shakes his head. “Dietrich doesn’t know everything either.”

I reach into my pocket. “I’ve had enough of your stalling. I’m calling the cops on this asshole.”

“He hasn’t done anything,” Bellamy says. “I just told you that he wasn’t going to harm Raven. His only job was to make youthinkhe was going to do that.”

“Forgive me if I don’t take your word for it.”

“You don’t have to take my word for it. When it comes to my daughter, I speak only the truth.” He turns to Dietrich. “You okay? I can have Paris take you to the ER.”

Dietrich coughs. “I’m good.”

“Then go. Get whatever medical attention you need, if any. Then lie low. I need to speak with Mr. Gallo alone.”

27

RAVEN

Isurge past Jared, pushing him out of my way, my dress rustling around my feet. I walk into our large country kitchen and head straight to the drawer where my mother keeps her sharpest knives—the ones she uses to slice through our beef as if it’s butter.

I grab a big one, the fluorescent lights of the kitchen glinting off the steel blade.

I hold it up.

“Raven, if your intention is to try to harm me?—”

“No, that’s not my intention, Jared.” I brandish the knife in front of him. “Why would I try to harm you? You’re twice as big as I am. And of course I’m still recovering from my illness, as everyone is so quick to point out to me. Poor weak little Raven. Can’t take care of herself.”

“Then what are you doing?” he asks, his voice low.

“Going to do the one thing you won’t let me do.” I place the steel against my neck. “If you don’t let me out of here, I’m going to slit my own throat.”

He blinks. “You’re bluffing.”

“Am I though?” I stare him down. “I’ve faced death, Jared. Just as you have many times in the military. I love my life. Don’t get me wrong. But I don’t fear death. When my body was so weak and ill and everything hurt, I prayed for it.”

He takes a step toward me. “I served overseas, Raven. Do you honestly think there weren’t times when I prayed for death as well?”

“I’m sure there were. But what would my brother or my father or whoever is paying you do to you if they found me with a cut on my neck?”

He takes a step toward me.

“Stay back,” I say, pressing the steel slightly farther into my neck. It’s cool against my flesh, and in a warped way, it feels good. Almost freeing.

“You’re not suicidal, Raven.”

“Of course I’m not. If I were, I would’ve ended my life while I was lying in a hospital bed. But no, I fought. And I will fight you now with the only weapon I have. My safety.”

“Your family only wants the best for you.”

“What’s best for me is to be in my own home, Jared. I can’t spend my life running. I lost several years of my life already fighting that damned illness. I’m not going to lose the rest.”

“You’re in danger. You’ve been getting the texts.”

“And I’ve also been getting texts from someone who’s watching out for me. Are they coming from you?”

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