Page 128 of Vicious Saint
“Noway…how about that?”
“Not an option.”
“You literally told me to stay away from you. Now you want me to stay with you?”
“Call it a change of heart.”
“That would imply you actuallyhaveone.”
“Ouch.” He winces. “You’re feisty without your credit cards.”
It takes all the energy inside me not to rip the smug grin off Saint’s face, because I wouldn’t be surprised if he was behind taking them away. Just like I’m not surprised he’d forego his demand for distance and take our parents up on the offer to torture me.
“Do what you want with the creep, I’m not coming home with you.”
About facing, I take several steps before he switches to singing my name.
“What?!” I scream with my back to him.
“Please…don’t let him hurt me,” I hear someone beg, and my heart drops to my stomach when I find Saint holding the homeless woman hostage.
“Saint…” I warn, my blood pressure rising to a painful degree.
“Consider this the hard way, Jimi.” He presses Halo to her cheek. “Tick tock on the clock.”
This version of Saint is a diabolical D word, but to hurt an innocent woman just to make a point?
He wouldn’t. I know he wouldn't.
But that doesn’t meanViciouswon’t do it for him.
I take several strides closer, hands out like I’m dealing with a feral animal. “Just let her go,” I say as the woman thrashes in his arms. “We can talk like two adults.”
“We’re past talking, Jimi.”
As if he knows how to shut the fuck up.
“Let. Her. Go.”
Saint brings Halo to her lips, prying them open. “Do you know what a stun to the mouth can do? Think about all that saliva…”
Saint hums a tune, then reduces the woman to cries when he begins swaying back and forth. The two of them go full circle dancing by the time I reach them.
Saint’s a maniac. A full-fledged maniac.
And I’m an even bigger one for what I’m about to say.
“Ugh. Fine!” I groan. “I’ll come home with you.”
Saint continues dancing. “What was that? Can’t hear you?”
“I saidfine. I’ll come home with you!”
“Well, shit.” He pushes the scared woman into me. “That was easier than I thought.”
I get her steady, and, as low as I can, tell her to run.
The woman doesn’t hesitate—or slow down—until reaching the other end of the alleyway.
