Page 88 of Villain

“Did she ask you for money?”

“I didn’t give her the chance. She will need it now my dad’s just got out, though. Two people on drugs is more expensive than one.”

Casper frowns. I can see the cogs turning in his mind.

“Hold on. The police said the break-in didn’t look like the others. We assumed it was because I interrupted.”

“What does that have to do… No. Just stop,” I say, feeling lightheaded.

He shakes his head. “What if it was your dad?”

“That doesn’t make sense. She doesn’t want a daughter, but I don’t think she would rob my house.”

“You said they saw you at uni. We were by my car. Then they saw my car parked outsideyourhouse. Fuck.”

“So, you’re saying they were trying to rob you?”

His face pales. “It’s a possibility. These are all assumptions, but the timing fits, and the fact that this wasn’t whoever’s been breaking in along the street.”

“This was my parents?” I take a ragged breath. Well, I knew she never loved me, but this is a new low.

“Shit,” he mutters. “I’m taking you home and we’re calling the police again. Noarguments.”

I nod this time because I’m freaked out and freaking out. There weretwopeople in my house that night. Could my mother really have been one of them? I want to believe that she wouldn’t do that to me, that a line existed that even she wouldn’t cross, but this woman chose drugs and a shit relationship over me.

My dad absolutely would. He never wanted a child in the first place.

They must have seen Casper with me and noticed his expensive car. When I saw her driving, I assumed she was following me.

They were following Casper and his money.

“You’re crying,” he says, gently wiping a tear from my cheek. I pull back, not having any emotional capacity for how I feel when he touches me. “It’s going to be all right. I won’t let either of them near you.”

“Why do you pretend to be my protector when you hurt me more than anyone?”

His face falls, and I know I’ve delivered a blow. “Ainsley, no.”

I swipe the next tear to fall away because I don’t want him to touch me again.

“She won’t follow me now. If it was them, they messed up and will stay away. I don’t need a ride. I don’t trust you.”

“There’s no chance of me letting you walk home alone. Remember that whole avenging you thing that we discussed? I wasn’t joking.”

I take another ragged breath and look at his car like it’s the vehicle of my death. If I want to be smart, I’d accept his offer.

“Please, Ainsley. I want you to trust me. I understand I have no right to ask that of you, but I do. Look, it’s just a ride. Truce for ten minutes while I get you home. We can figure out the rest later.”

“Why are you calling a truce?”

“Because, contrary to what you believe, I’m not a monster.”

I do half believe that, but every time he’s been nice, he’s followed it up with something progressively worse. How am I supposed to think any differently?

“Ainsley.” My name is an exasperated sigh. “Please get in the fucking car.”

Here we are with the swearing.

I relent because I really don’t fancy walking home right now, and I sure as hell don’t want to go another round with my mum if she’s stupid enough to show up at my house again. Although, she must think it’s Casper’s house.

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