Page 31 of Sinful Little Lies

Verena inhales, thinking about her answer. On the exhale, she slowly shakes her head. “No.” My cock swells behind my zipper at her response. My little fucking monster. She was made just for me, mind, body, and soul. She sees me for who I truly am and isn’t running for the hills.

I may have finally met my match. Time to really ignite her flame.

VERENA

Back at the RSB house, after a shower and a blunt, Grimm and I cuddle underneath his blankets. Thoughts of Leo’s lifeless body and puddles of his blood run through my mind. He’s the second dead person I’ve seen. The only other one besides Ronnie. I should feel broken, destroyed, and terrified of the police finding out I was the one to take his life. But I feel…nothing.

Whether that’s because Leo was a raging piece of shit or because I was already numb and broken before his death, I’m not sure. Ronnie’s death left me a constant blubbering mess. I didn’t eat or sleep for a week, only eating meals when my grandmother came to stay with us and noticed my self-destructive routine.

Because it would’ve taken too much time out of my parents’ schedules to care if their other daughter was on the brink of death. As much as they were cold before Ronnie’s death, the loss of their youngest made them hypothermic.

Just then, my mind shifts from my stone-cold parents to Leo’s. His mother was practically obsessed with him. They spoke every single day. He’d send her flowers every week and I wasconsidered fucking lucky and blessed if he remembered to get me a bouquet for our anniversary or my goddamn birthday. Unfortunately, his mother isn’t any better to me than my own.

If she has the chance to insult my clothing, my cooking, and my culture, she will andoh, she does. The way I dress has never been up to her standards. Mrs. Leila Barlay pictured Leo settling down with someone more like Aspen or Blair. My olive skin and gloomy exterior should have stayed far away from her bright and cheerful baby boy. It was no match for their simple, clean girl personas. Effortlessly beautiful, with creamy skin and minus the Puerto Rican background.

Not that she actually cares to remember where my family comes from. There were plenty of instances where Leila would make remarks about Mexican restaurants being her favorite and Columbia having beautiful weather at a certain time of year. But the only logical explanation was that she didn’t know I was Puerto Rican and my entire family, with the exception of my parents, is in Puerto Rico.

Leo and I had been together for almost three years. All throughout our relationship, we had weekly family dinners and I can confidently say that not one thing I’ve ever said about myself has stuck with her. She usually spent the night talking to Leo about Leo and his accomplishments. If she were to speak to me, I’d get lectured about what Leo needs and how I should consider changing certain things about myself to be the “appropriate woman for him.”

Fuck her.

Everything revolved around Leo. She would give him two-week vacations every birthday and Christmas for “Mommy and Leo time,” as she called it. I want to gag just thinking about it.

I switch my thoughts from her hollow heart to her finding out about Leo. A part of me wishes I could see her and fucking rub it in. But the other part of me remembers what I went throughafter Ronnie. I knew I shouldn’t want anyone to feel that way, including enemies, but I couldn’t help but be wishful to see the look on her face when she finds out that I took everything she loves in this lifetime.

The other part of my heart rages to spill the realities of the monster he truly was. To tell everyone how there were plenty of times he was seconds away from taking my life and instead graced me with another day by his side, living in evergrowing fear and anxiety. He was never remorseful, never apologetic or caring for the marks and scars he left behi-

“V, what are you thinking about? You look like you’re having a stroke. Are you okay, babe?” Grimm’s deep voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I blink a few times finding myself back under the covers wrapped in his arms, my hair still damp from our shower.

Sitting up, I untangle myself from his arms and he grips my wrist. My eyes snap to his and he shakes his head. He grabs my legs and drapes them on top of his and pulls the covers over us. “Go ahead, tell me what’s on your mind.” He lays an open palm on my lap, offering a hand to hold.

I slap my palm into his and take a deep breath. My nerves cause me to spit out my words and ramble a shit-ton of nonsense. “A lot happened today. I’m worried I went too far with killing Leo. But I’m proud of myself for finally standing up to him, although I would’ve never done it without your help, Grimm. I appreciate it so much but I’m also terrified that my life will be over soon and I’ll have to spend the rest of my days in an orange jumper. I trust you wholeheartedly but I’ve never murdered someone before. I don’t know how this process works and what happens with the body. But do I want to know? I’m not entirely sure. Even though it doesn’t matter because I was the one to actually murder him! Do you see where I’m frustrated?”

He chuckles, “I see. Are you finished with your speech or is there more?”

My eyes shoot daggers at him. “No, there’s no more.” Squeezing my hand, he looks me in the eyes and brings my fingers to his lips. He kisses a knuckle then speaks a few words in a repeated manner.

“I can tell you my plan.”

Kiss.

“For Leo’s body, that is.”

Kiss.

“If you want to know, I’ll tell you.”

Kiss.

“If you don’t, I won’t say a word.”

Kiss.

His lips hover over the back of my hand as he whispers once more, “I can guarantee you, no one will find out you had any part in this, Verena.”

Kiss.

He said my full name. He only says my full name when he’s fucking serious. Now I’m questioning how often he really does shit like this to have it all figured out. He’s too calm and collected. But as of right now, I have no other choice but to breathe and trust Grimm. He said he would help save me from Leo and he did just that. Grimm is promising me innocence and safety. Just like he’s always done.

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