Page 106 of Vengeful Rotten Casualties

I laugh. Yeah, I know that too. That’s why it’s so much fun to flirt with him. Nothing will ever come of it. Not from him and not from me. Dr. Grainer shakes his head, but his lips twitch. He doesn’t mind the flirting. In fact, it’s only these last few months that I’ve even grown comfortable enough to tease him like this. It’s a sign, he’s told me, that I’m healing. That I’m getting better.

“Okay, enough with the pleasantries,” Dr. Grainer finally says, tapping his pen against his notebook. “Let’s get back to our session, shall we?”

I recline against the big cushioned chair his office boasts for his clients. Before coming to Haven Hills’ Rehabilitation Facility, I always assumed that psych doctors had couches in their offices for their clients to lay on. Turns out, that’s just on TV.

“Sure, Doc,” I say. “What are we talking about today?”

“Well, why don’t we discuss your upcoming visit with Luc?” he suggests.

A sigh slips out of my lips and automatically my right hand goes to my left, right over the ring that sits on my finger there. It’s simple and thin with a small studded selection of black diamonds. Luc gave it to me on his first visit to this place, a month or so after I entered this facility on the recommendation of his therapist friend, Dr. Vikson.

“What’s there to talk about?” I ask. “Luc visits me a lot.”

“Yes,” Dr. Grainer agrees before he pierces me with a knowing look over the top of his notebook. “But this one is a bit special, isn’t it? It’ll be a full year since you joined us here. How are you feeling about that?”

I turn away from his perceptive gaze and look towards the window. The summer is ending again, but sunlight still pours in through the spotless glass. No bars or anything. Another shocker. Then again, I doubt Luc would ever send me somewhere that would lock me up again. No. I’m here for something more. I’m here to get my life back, towantto get it back.

“I’m excited,” I say. “I miss him.” I always miss him.

“I understand that you two talk every night,” Dr. Grainer points out.

“It’s different seeing him in person.” Sometimes, he brings Avalon or Rin. Sometimes, it’s just him. It’s nice to have the girls visit, but I also like it when it’s just him. Usually, if it’s just the two of us, we spend the day in my room doing every filthy dirty thing we imagine doing to each other in our time apart. Phone sex can only get a girl so far.

“Have there been any discussions on what you’ll be doing when you leave Haven Hills?” Dr. Grainer’s question surprises me enough that I tear my eyes away from the window and meet his gaze again.

“I don’t know,” I say. “I haven’t really thought about it.”

“You haven’t thought about what you want to do?” he asks. “You’re a very smart young woman, and from my understanding, Luc is willing to provide you with what you need to accomplish anything you want.”

“Well…” I consider it. He’s right. “I guess I want to go to Avalon’s graduation. I want to adopt Rin with Luc, but … I haven’t really thought much beyond that.”

I never gave myself a lot of time to think about what would happen after I destroyed Thomas Kincaid’s empire. My plans were always to end my life, it feels almost … strange to realize that I should’ve planned for a future that I could have potentially had, that I now have.

“Planning to attend events is good,” Dr. Grainer agrees. “And knowing that you want to adopt Rin makes me feel much more confident in your progress. I’m sure there’s more that you might want to do. Perhaps, helping others like yourself?”

If there’s one thing about Dr. Grainer, it’s that he knows exactly how to get to the heart of someone without saying it directly. Haven Hills is a special facility. A specific location that caters to the wealthy. My fellow patients are all sons and daughters of the top one percent of the world. Their problems are their own—addictions, phobias, etc. We all have our crosses to bear, but Dr. Grainer understands that I’m a little bit different from them.

He’s aware of the crimes I’ve committed—to an extent. The hacking. The blackmail. The revenge. Just not the murder. Yet, here he is … suggesting going back to that to help others. I shake my head, and chuckle to myself.

“What’s funny about that, Micki?”

“Helping others is what landed me in here,” I remind him.

Dr. Grainer arches a brow. For a moment, he remains silent, contemplating my words. Another thing I like about him. He actually listens. He considers my responses and isn’t quick to toss them aside.

“I can agree that you inadvertently helped other people when you did what you did,” he finally says. “But in the end, you started because of yourself. Because of what happened to you. I’m suggesting to take on a more … secondary role.” He grins at me. “I’d really like to avoid a jail sentence for you, if possible.”

We both have a good chuckle over that, too. As if Luc would ever let me end up in prison. “What kind of secondary role?” I ask after we calm down.

“Well, have you ever thought about becoming a counselor, yourself? Or starting a nonprofit for the protection of young women in dangerous situations?”

I consider his words. “Eastpoint University has a program,” I admit. “Where they adopt young people with talent and give them opportunities.”

“That’s a good start,” Dr. Grainer says. “Perhaps you could do something like that. Start scholarship funds for those in need.”

“Maybe…” With Luc’s money, there’s really nothing I can’t do. I have to admit that the idea of a nonprofit is appealing. Maybe it could partner with Eastpoint.

“All I ask is that you consider what to do with your future,” Dr. Grainer says. “It will help to transition you into the next phase of your life.”

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