Page 38 of Saint

I understood she thought she was Liam’s for a while. I’m patient. I’d show her the truth eventually, and it would all make sense. I just had to guide her there.

Something made easier the moment she downloaded the Dark Desires app.

It’s cute that she thinks it was an accident I stumbled upon her in that chat room. She’s so innocent; I might have to tie her up to keep her safe.

To keep her closer.

Our messages in the app confirmed she’s the girl I thought she was when we first met.

The things she shared with me when she thought I’d forever be in the shadows reveal her true nature. A depravity no one at this school sees when they look at her.

She sees it. She knows she wants the sick things only I can offer.

Her bones know.

Her stuttering breath knows.

Her racing pulse knows.

When I take her, she’ll be scared—terrified. Begging for mercy and then beggingforme.

My curious little kitten.

I’ll paint her whole room red and make her live in it if that’s what it takes.

“Speaking of trouble.” Declan knocks me on the arm and tips his chin to the doorway, where Violet and Patience are walking into the room.

The dark circles draw out the brightness of her deep blue eyes as she scans the class. And for a fraction of a second, her stare pauses on me.

She knows, even if her mind is blind to the truth. There’s a gravitational force she can’t deny or resist. It lights me up as much as it pisses me off. Because I warned her what would happen if she looks too long at a man, and that’s what she just did.

Finally, Violet sinks into a seat a couple of rows ahead of Declan and me.

“Hey.” Declan tosses his pencil at the back of Patience’s blonde head because he’s an asshole.

Patience gives him a death glare over her shoulder before turning back around.

She still hates Sigma Sin for what happened to her brother, Alex, and she doesn’t even know the half of it. It wasn’t the first initiation to go bad, but it was one of the worst. And the fact that he still hasn’t spoken a word years later means she’ll harbor that grudge the entire time she’s here.

“Bitch.” Declan chuckles.

“You entertained yet?”

“Never.” He grins.

Declan might be my friend, but I don’t understand him. He loves attention and putting on a show. People at Briareither love him or hate him. But none of them know him. If they did, they’d realize he’s a sadistic, perverted jerk, and you’re safer keeping your distance.

Not that I’m one to talk.

My gaze slides to the back of Violet’s head. Her black hair is down and stick straight, and every so often, she fidgets with it, moving it in front of one shoulder, then the other. She’s wearing another turtleneck, and even if I’d rather see my marks on her perfect flesh, this might be better.

Secrets between the two of us.

Patience leans toward Violet and whispers something, but Violet’s monotonous head nod is out of habit, not interest. Something is on her mind.

If people paid attention, they’d see it. But they aren’t me; I’m the only one who seesher.

The professor starts his lecture, cutting off their conversation as he starts to drone on about criminal law. It’s mind-numbing so I pull out my phone.

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