Page 11 of Vicious Intentions

“Both your father and I are coming for graduation.”

I exhaled but the shivers continued. “That’s good.”

“Are you okay, baby? You sound strange.”

“Uh… no. You know me, Mom. I worry about the finals.”

Ice continued to prickle my skin. I scanned the room, noticing one of my drawers was open just a crack. I was anal retentive about organization, maybe slightly psychotic about how I left my things. I never left a drawer open. My legs felt like lead as I walked closer, tentative about opening it.

When I did, nothing jumped out at me, but I sensed someone had been in my room. In fact, I would swear it on a Bible. I closed my eyes briefly, certain two nights before someone had stood over me, watching me sleep. I’d jerked out of a dream to find my window open, which I hadn’t remembered doing. The whole thing had left me with a creepy feeling.

She laughed, the sound practiced and perfect. “You need to stop worrying. You are my brilliant daughter.”

“How’s Dad?”

“Traveling as usual.”

I sorted through the drawer, then realized my crimson panties were missing. Part of what my mother liked to call my neurosis was that I had to wear a matching panty and bra. The lacy bra remained exactly where I’d placed it, but the panties were missing. “I, um… I thought he was slowing down.”

“Just a couple more trips and he’ll stop traveling altogether.”

Now raw fear tore through me. I’d had the feeling of being watched for as long as I could remember, but I’d forced myself to think otherwise. What if it was true? What if there were cameras placed in the suite? The thought wasn’t farfetched. “That’s good.”

“Alright. I can tell you’re in the middle of something. I can’t wait to see you. What are your plans for the weekend?”

I could lie and say studying in my room, but maybe it was time my mother realized I was growing up and out of my parents’ shadow. “I’m going to a party tonight.” I moved into the bathroom, yanking open the hamper lid, tossing clothes right and left. My thong definitely wasn’t there.

My heart raced and I spun around, looking for any obvious signs someone had been in the shared bathroom.

The glitch in her shocked sigh caught me off guard. “You don’t want to do that.”

“It’s not off campus. Just a little get together with friends.” Now, I was lying. I would never call members of the Damned my friends.

Her hesitation created a wave of tension. “Honey, you need to be careful.”

“Mom. I’m twenty-one now, not a child any longer. Need I remind you that I’ve been a very good girl?” Now, I rolled my eyes. My parents were far too protective. I wasn’t as breakable as they assumed I was.

“It’s not you I’m worried about. There are some very bad people in this world.”

Tell me something I hadn’t already heard about a thousand times or more. “Mom. It’s a party located in the most secure facility on earth. Nothing is going to happen. Okay?”

Another hesitation. It drove me nuts. “Just tell me you’ll call me tomorrow. Okay?”

Exhaling, I returned to the main room, trying to control my breathing.

I wanted to be frustrated with her, but I was aware of the threats my parents had received over the years, although they’d surprised me given my father owned a food distribution firm and restaurant in Chicago. Yes, my parents were extremely wealthy, but why the threats? My dad was a down-to-earth guy. “I will. I promise.”

Threats. Did the invasion of my privacy have something to do with my father? Get a grip, Sage. Maybe they’re folded in your jeans.

“Okay, darling. Just remember your father and I worry about you.”

“I know. I gotta go now. Love ya, Mom.” I tossed my phone onto the sofa, chewing on my lower lip.

As Kelly returned with a dress in her hand, I shook my head. Maybe for one night it was okay to shove aside the shy girl who barely talked to anyone. I could consider the dress just another costume. The bashful girl wasn’t the kind of woman I wanted to be.

The inner bad girl wanted to be the wild vixen I wrote about in my stories. But as much as I wanted to let go, the nagging remained.

“What do you think?” she asked as she shifted the gorgeous red dress back and forth like a prize.

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