Page 61 of Psychopath

Zane pushed off from the table and sneered. “But he is.”

“So are you. You’re both dangerous. That’s why you’re in here, but he’s never got in my face like that before.”

Zane retreated a step and lowered his gaze. “I’m sorry. I just need you to understand. He’s going to hurt you, Quinn.”

“He’s not.”

“He’s possessive over you. He asks the others what you talked about and what you said and how often you smiled, laughed, and if we don’t tell him, he kicks off in his cell.”

“Cleo hasn’t said anything—”

“Mackie’s warned me off you.”

“He was worried about me.”

Zane narrowed his eyes, and Quinn shrank when it felt like he was being inspected.

“Is this study worth your life?”

“Right now…yeah. He thought something had happened between us last week. He thought you’d hurt me. I keep telling him you didn’t.”

“He doesn’t believe you.”

“I know.”

“And he’s angry that you’re lying.”

Quinn pressed his lips together.

Zane shook his head. “I can tell you’re not going to listen to me, so I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.”

Zane moved to the door, but Quinn beat him to it and blocked his path. “Wait, wait, what does that mean?”

“It means I’m going to hurt him so he doesn’t get a chance to hurt you.”

“You do anything to him, and you’re off the study.”

Zane leaned in until they were almost nose to nose. “It will be worth it to protect you.”

Quinn placed his hands on Zane’s chest, not pushing, just resting. “Please, Zane, calm down. You need to think this through.”

“You’re not listening to me. I read people, and I can tell what they’re thinking. I can see it in his filthy face, in his gleeful eyes.”

“What?”

“He wants you, Quinn.”

“There’s nothing in his file to suggest—”

“He doesn’t have any sexual violence charges. He’s straight in his file, but people change in here. I can’t stand by and let something happen.”

“Nothing’s going to happen.”

“Look me in the eye,” Zane demanded, “and tell me he doesn’t scare you.”

Zane’s eyes were so dark, and angry, Quinn had to break eye contact.

“See,” Zane hissed.

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