Page 58 of Diem

“Nope,” I deny, my vision blurred. The thought of anyone touching Maeve, whether violent or otherwise, fills me with an emotion I can’t describe but it’s not pretty.

The realization drops over me like a ton of bricks. I want Maeve for more than just dirty sex, but I can’t fucking have her.

“Just find Skull,” Ramsay says, and I end the call.

Chapter Fourteen

Maeve

Thankfully, it’s been quiet. The police haven’t questioned me again, and Diem’s been scarce. Even Hailey is subdued, skulking around with a miserable expression on her face.

In an unexpected turn of events, Jaxon dumped her and after she iced out her crew, they’re no longer interested in her so-called fiefdom.

It’s with amusement, I watch her slowly fade from importance, all of her machinations having brought her to this. She has no friends, no boyfriend and the one guy she lusts after doesn't truly care, he never did, even I could see that.

Regardless of his reasons why, Diem used her just as he used me and if she hadn’t been such a bitch, we could have banded together.

I assume Diem has more pressing matters to worry about, because I haven’t seen him beyond the occasional glimpse in the hall. He’s even been absent from class.

My interactions with Dad have been strained. I’m still trying to come to terms with the fact that he presumably seduced my best friend.

Was Dixie attracted to him? He’s not ugly, but he’s also, well…old.

Did she like that sort of thing?

Fuck I don’t know.

Without having Diem breathing down my neck, I’ve had time to think about all the shit happening. I can’t confirm that Dixie’s death is related to my dad at all, although it’s clear she knew him outside of school.

It doesn’t seem possible my brother is in the dark about this. That’s what those dick’s do, collect secrets. Besides, he was quick enough to text Diem when I mentioned it.

Hm.

Later, I meet up with Penny again. I’m floundering as to how to find the answers I seek and more scared than ever, especially in the wake of her exchange with Dr. Love.

She’s riding the line of insanity with that one and I’d like to shake some sense into her, but I suspect there’s none left in any case.

Either way, sitting around while this all orbits around me is an impossibility. I have to do something, and Penny knows more about Dixie’s life than I apparently did.

“You want to, what?” I ask, sure I misheard until Penny waves her hand.

“What if there’s something there?”

“Penny…”

Despite my protests, she insists which is how I find myself at the scene of Dixie’s death.

Yellow crime scene tape covers the door and as we sit in the idling car and stare at it, I whisper, “Is it true?”

“Is what true?”

“About her…head?”

Penny looks my way, but I can tell she’s not seeing me when she says, “Yes, her head was cut off.”

“Fuck,” I breathe, swallowing the saliva pooling on my tongue. This is so messed up.

“Hm,” she says, pushing the door open.

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