Page 78 of Saint

He nods. “On your first day of school, you wore a bright-blue dress that matched your eyes. Black sneakers that showed off your beautiful legs. I was tempted tospread those pretty thighs of yours right there because I knew at that moment, I’d never see anything more perfect again.”

I swallow, my face draining with his words. He’s been watching me since long before the first time I met him face-to-face. Saint has had his eyes on me since my first day at Briar.

“Liam noticed the way I looked at you. People don’t usually catch my attention. But you, Violet… You fucking ruin me.” His gaze skims my body. “You were the answer to what the House had been looking for. Something they could dangle just out of my reach. And Liam was all too happy to do it.”

“I was a game to you?”

“You were the test.”

My gaze moves to the mark on his chest. The seventh cut, still freshly carved in his skin, and my body shakes, realizing what we did the night he got it. The pieces click into place because he’s not talking in circles at all. He’s answering my question.

“The blood on your shirt the other night was your own?”

He nods. “My final trial.”

“Fucking me?” Tears sting my eyes.

“Surviving him being with you.” Saint leans in closer. “Being the stronger man for not letting it break me when you’re the only thing that can. And now you’re mine.”

Tears pool in my eyes, and I try to blink them away as I process what Saint is saying.

Liam only dated me to torture Kole. And I’m just a trophy.

“So all this was just part of your initiation?” I hate that my voice quivers. “Taking my virginity was your test.”

“I didn’ttakeyour virginity, Violet. Don’t lie to yourself. You were in that room. I ripped it out of you, and I made sure there was no going back. If you want to feel whole—if you want to feel anything—you’re going to need me. Because we’re one now. You’re not just a test. You’rethetest. My ultimate weakness.”

I hold my breath. His confession settles, and when I didn’t think Saint could terrify me more, I’m overcome with the reality of the lengths he’ll go to.

“Do they know Liam’s dead? Was that part of it?”

Saint shakes his head. “What they know is that I’m here, and Liam isn’t. End of fucking story. You’re mine now. Trial passed.”

“I’m not a possession, or a trial, or an object you can just fight over. I’m—” I try to scramble to my feet, but Saint shoves me back to the ground, and I wince as my knees slam to the tile.

“You. Are.Mine.” He grabs my chin, standing over me. “I proved it to them, and if you want to test me, I’m more than happy to prove it to you.”

25

Could You Watch?

Violet

I hate everything Saintstands for—irredeemable evil.

For a moment, I was blind enough to believe he might care about me. Even if he was willing to kill others for reasons that aren’t rational. Maybe I still meant something.

But to know I was a test for him—a trial. Something Liam and his Sigma Sin fraternity brothers dangled in front of his face in their sick game ofwho breaks first.

My stomach is in knots with his admission.

And now he’s proved his point. They tested him, and he was the one who stole my virginity.

He won.

I dig my fingernails into my palms, but none of this feels real. I’m dreaming.

This is all a nightmare, and I can’t seem to wake up.

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