Page 94 of Possession

I toss the pen to my desk and lean forward. He looks like he got hit in the eye with a wrecking ball. His lip is twice the size it was yesterday at this time, and he might’ve tried to hide it, but I could tell it hurt when he sat down across from me.

“You were an open book last night when you were talking about vengeance and murder. But now, when I want to know something about you, you clam up.”

“You don’t need to know anything about me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. You saved my wife last night. I want to know everything about you.”

His face contorts, and his brows tense when he spits, “Why?”

“Do you know how many people I trust after last night?” I spear him with an intense stare. “Not a lot. My wife is one of them, two men who you don’t know, and I’m thinking about adding you to my list. I want to make sure I’m making the right decision.”

“My parents have nothing to do with who I am,” he growls. “My mom is dead. The last time I saw my old man, he was so strung out, he didn’t recognize me. There’s nothing more to know.”

I lower my tone the way my dad used to when he was sick of my dumbass attitude. “Something haunted you last night.”

His jaw tightens.

“See?” I hike a brow. “I’m right.”

He stands and points to the double doors leading to my room where Landyn is still sleeping. “You say all you care about is her. Why are you interrogating me?”

“Sit down and cool off.”

I don’t have to wait long. His hot-headed asshole that comes with age and whatever hell he’s lived through shows when he throws himself in the chair. His glare on me intensifies, and it’s clear he’s not going to tell me on his own.

I want to hear it from him.

I want him to trust me.

“There’s something in you…” I let my words trail off and think about what Landyn has said to me more than once. I can say the same about Rocco—he’s a good one, but I don’t dare. He’s doing everything he can to sabotage his own life. “You fought for Landyn when she couldn’t fight for herself. You’re going to pass the GED with flying colors. And in the short time you’ve been here, you fit in like a little brother or a mascot.”

“I’m no mascot,” he bites.

“No, you proved last night you’re no joke.” I point to him across the desk. “You’re the real thing.”

He shakes his head.

“You don’t know me, but I might be the most powerful man you’ll ever meet. I can get my hands on any information I want. I know you, Rocco. I was trying to give you the chance to tell me something I already know.” I let that sink in and watch his expression fall with every word that drips from my lips. “Your dad killed your mom when you were eleven. You saw the whole thing.”

He starts to move from his chair, but all I have to do is put a finger up to stop him.

“He beat her to death, but if I had to make a calculated guess, it wasn’t the first time he put his hands to her.”

Rocco simply stares at me, and I wonder if he’ll try to jump me from across the desk. I knew this was a risk, but given the look on his face after he threw down for Landyn, I need to pull him in closer.

This will either work brilliantly, or he’ll run, and I’ll never see him again.

“Saw it in your eyes when you were standing in front of my wife and wouldn’t let anyone touch her. Isawit.”

“You didn’t see shit,” he whispers.

I don’t stop. “You stepped up and saved her. So when I asked if you were okay last night, it was not some off-handed comment. I want to know if you’re okay.”

“Why do you care?” He’s found his voice, and his words come at me like venom. “You’re not my counselor. I had enough of them in my day. You’re only a fucking drug dealer.”

Just like when I do it with Landyn, speaking the truth feels good. Like I’m clinging to who I am with bloodied fingers. “I’m a lot of things, Rocco. If you stick around long enough, you’ll figure that out. If you’re smart, you’ll use it to your advantage.”

He stands from his chair again, and this time I mirror his action, because he doesn’t stop. He might actually come across the desk at me.

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