Page 72 of Insatiable

I grip Kade’s left arm tighter as they discuss drugs, weights of bags they pack into a suitcase, and a contract that should apparently beeasyfor Kade, considering his experience.

My eyes burn, but I struggle not to look at the dead man next to me.

18

KADE

FLASHBACK 3

Ihaven’t seen Stacey in three days, and I’m debating asking my sister for her number.

It would be way easier if I had it. Or… she’d ignore me and say it was a mistake and that I forced her to kiss me.

Wait. Did I force her? Technically, I barricaded her against the kitchen counter and dared her to kiss me again. Oh shit. That’s not good. Maybe I shouldapologise? Would she even hear me out?

Dad told me a few nights ago to chill out, because I kept thinking I imagined the kiss. He told me to take a deep breath and name three things I could see, two things I could touch and one thing I could smell. It worked. My lungs filled again, and my blurry vision lessened.

Then he told me to get out of my head and speak to her.

Safe to say I’m still in my head.

Nicotine infiltrates my lungs as I watch the water of the loch rippling, the small boat rocking side to side against the wooden pier, the soft glow from the lights illuminating the outdoor pool.

I still find it ridiculous that we live in Scotland – where it rains almost every day and we get a week of summer a year, if we’re lucky – and have an outdoor pool. I’ve been in it four times, and each one resulted inshrivelledballs and left me close to catching fucking pneumonia.

Luciellaand her friends are in it a lot. Not that I intentionally stand exactly where I am now and stare at a certain black-haired beauty for hours on end. Base sat with me once, and I was in my head again, thinking he was looking at her too.

Regardless, he can’t have Stacey. I’ve claimed her and no one else can have her but me.

Kind of. I think. Probably not, but I’d like to.

Wait. How does one claim a person?

If I spoke these thoughts aloud, she’d flee the country and I’d be locked up with Dad. And I can’t have that, because I need to kiss her again. Or speak to her. Or have her attention for longer than one minute while my virgin hands shake.

The hard-on I keep getting every time I think back to that moment in the kitchen is becoming a biological hazard.

I pull out my phone and seeLuciellahas posted a picture of our main sitting area with the TV, captionedmovie nightwith Stacey, my mum andEwan.

The cigarette nearly drops from between my fingers.

She’s down there.

Knowing she’s down there has me quickly showering, brushing my teeth and shoving on a pair of boxers and sweats. I don’t bother putting on a top – the manor is roasting.

Before I can leave my room, I halt in my steps, blow out a breath and run my hands through my hair before pulling my phone out.

I open my messages with Jason.

Me: She’s here. What should I do?

Jason: Giana said to be cool and pretend nothing happened.

I frown. That sounds like the worst advice ever.

Me: Why?

Jason: Who the fuck knows. She winked when I asked. Just chill and don’t stab her like your dad did to Aria.

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