Page 61 of Done Waiting

“What happened to your leg?” Her voice is soft and laced with concern.

Fucking ironic. She accuses me of killing a woman, but now she’s pretending to be concerned for my well-being.

I ignore her. She doesn’t fucking deserve an answer.

“Jagger…” Maddie says my name as a tentative plea, causing me to turn my head slightly. She affects me on a primal level, and though I’m angry as hell, part of me wants to give her whatever she wants.

The other part of me rears up, furious that I want to give her anything.

My muscles are taut as I wait for her to speak. Sitting up, she heaves out a sigh. “I… I’m sorry.”

Not saying anything, I turn to face her, my feet planted wide, waiting her out.

“I shouldn’t have hit you.”

“Yeah, you’re fucking right. You shouldn’t have. Especially since you think I’m a serial killer that rapes women.” My accusation hangs in the air between us, crackling like the flames of a fire.

She hangs her head, staring at her legs. Her hands twist the fabric of her shirt. “I really… don’t remember who he is.” She chews on her lip.

God, she’s beautiful.

“I dreamed about him. A faceless killer. All I remember is he was wearing a dark hoodie like yours.”

“A faceless man wearing a dark hoodie that you assume is me?”Un-fucking-believable. She’s not helping her case any.

“Can you stop being a dick? I’m vulnerable here, trying to tell you something, and you stand there making snarky remarks.”

Our gazes lock and clash, full of resentment and disappointment.

Finally, she breaks the silence. “Let me go. Take me back to Ashlynn’s—”

“No.” That single word is like a bomb, preventing her from saying anything more, leaving only silence in its wake. My tone leaves no room for an argument, letting her know my decision is final.

Fire burns in her eyes as she swings her legs over the side of the bed. “I won’t tell anyone about—”

“Don’t even finish that statement,” I bark, my words so sharp it’s like I’m lashing her with a whip. In some ways, I wish I were.

“You have no fucking idea what you’re talking about, Madison. Even if you did, do you honestly believe you could convince me to let you go so you can tell the whole world—”

“But I wouldn’t,” she interrupts, looking surprised at this brazen side of her. “I won’t tell a soul.” She hurries on, her eyes pleading. “I want to stay with Ashlynn, return to work at the bookstore, and live a quiet life. If you plan to continue your…” She closes her eyes, her face twisting from revulsion.

“Don’t say it.” Not giving a fuck about the pain in my thigh, I stride over to the bed, standing over her, my breathing rushed from the hurt and anger swelling through me.

“You know what?” Maddie shoots to her feet so quickly she has to reach out and grab me so she doesn’t fall. Unfortunately for me, she grabs my arm where I’m sliced open. A hiss of pain comes out of me before I grit my teeth, trying to hide the agony flowing through me.

Looking down, I curse myself as my hands grip her, holding her steady. Instinctively, I wouldn’t let her fall, no matter how pissed I am.

Maddie’s eyes widen as her head lowers, looking at my arm. I know she feels the bandage beneath my sweatshirt. Removing her hand from the wound, her wide eyes meet mine. “Are you injured, Jagger? I’m sorry if—"

“Why are you worried about my injuries? You should want me to bleed out sinceI’m a goddamn killer.” I scream the last couple of words at her, rage pouring through me, my vision turning red.

Her body trembles. Dropping her gaze, she looks at her feet.

My hand snaps out, grabbing her chin hard, holding her in place. I squeeze, conveying to her that I’m the stronger, more powerful.

“Get this through your thick head. I’mnotletting you go, Madison.” My eyes narrow into slits, boring into hers, allowing her to see the monster inside me, glowering at her like a fire-breathing dragon. “I’mneverletting you go.”

Terrified, Maddie’s eyes bulge as she stares at me. She doesn’t say more as I release her.

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