Something like guilt tries to surface, but I drown it in purpose. This was always the plan. Lola was always meant to be broken.
The Reaper chamber feels different when it's full. Red masks line the walls like watching demons while I present phase two. The footage plays on screens around us, Lola's fear projected in high definition.
"Rick Kemper will receive this tonight," I tell them, standing in the center of their circle. "Along with proof we can reach his daughter anytime we want."
"And the girl?" One of the red masks asks. "She's properly compromised?"
The question hits somewhere uncomfortable. "She's exactly where we need her."
"Good." Noah's voice carries approval from behind his red mask. "Because once her father realizes what's happening, she becomes our insurance."
I nod, ignoring the way my stomach twists. "By the time I'm done, Rick Kemper will walk right into this chamber to save his precious daughter. And he’s all yours."
The masks murmur their approval. They don't need to know how Lola's fear tastes like addiction. How watching her break is becoming less satisfying and more... something else.
"Don't forget why you're here," Jackson's voice echoes in my head. "She's nothing but bait."
I check my phone one last time before hitting send. Lola's probably practicing right now, bow drawing sounds from her cello that haunt my dreams. She has no idea her world's about to shatter.
The email sends with a quiet whoosh. Phase two begins.
Somewhere in his fortress of an office, Rick Kemper is about to learn what it feels like to watch your child become a weapon against you. But all I can think about is Lola, and how her eyes will look when she finally understands that wanting me was always going to destroy her.
Chapter 19
Kiah's words echo in my head as I stare at my ceiling. Just an initiation task. The memory of the chamber burns—how I let Brody parade me around like a conquest, how easily I said those words. You own me. My stomach turns every time I think about it.
The worst part isn't the humiliation. It's how much I wanted it. How I let desire override every warning signal, every red flag. Now he's gone silent, proving Kiah right. I was never special—just another game piece for the Reapers to play with.
My phone lights up with Levi's text. An old habit I should've broken months ago.
I hit FaceTime before I can stop myself. His familiar grin fills my screen, and I hate how comforting it is.
The words spill out like vomit. "Am I just an easy lay to you?"
"What?" His smile falters.
"You heard me." My voice comes out harder than intended. "Is that why you keep texting?"
"That why you've been ghosting me?"
"I met someone." The words taste bitter. "Well, thought I did. Turns out he just wanted information about my dad."
"Your dad?" Levi's confusion is genuine. "You don't even know him."
The truth of that hits like a slap. I don't know my father—just the bills he pays and the strings he pulls. Just like I don't really know Brody.
"You didn't answer my question," I press. "About being easy."
Levi shrugs, too casual. "You're not easy. You just know what you want. You're different—"
"Don't." My throat tightens. "Don't give me that 'not like other girls' bullshit."
"Lola—"
I end the call. I can't handle his particular brand of comfort right now, not when I'm raw from Brody's manipulation.
I'm early to class for once, hoping the practice room will be free. But Amanda's already there, her Gucci bag claiming the seat next to mine. My steps falter. After weeks of death glares, this can't be good.