Page 63 of Psychopath

“Mackie’s going to be devastated,” Cleo whispered.

Quinn shifted in his seat and picked obsessively at his nails. They sat at the table, waiting for Mackie to arrive. He had spent the weekend going back and forth over his decision, and each time he remembered the look in Zane’s eyes.

The worry, the pleading, the promise to hurt Mackie if Quinn didn’t remove him.

He thought about how Zane had held his face and how he’d leaned into the touch.

“He just didn’t fit the criteria.”

It was a lie, one that tasted particularly bitter.

Cleo eyed him. “You sure?”

“Yeah…”

Mackie bounded into the room, all smiles again, then froze at the sight of Cleo sat at the table beside Quinn.

“Take a seat,” Quinn said.

Mackie didn’t move his eyes from Cleo as he sat opposite Quinn. “Am I in some sort of trouble?”

“No, no trouble.” Quinn curled his toes. “There’s no easy way of saying it, but I’m removing you from the study.”

Mackie blinked, and Quinn readied himself in case he launched across the table. Instead, Mackie shrank in his chair and frowned. A few tense seconds passed, and Quinn waited patiently for Mackie’s response, heart creeping its way into his throat.

“What did I do wrong?” Mackie whispered.

His voice was small. Quinn hated himself.

“You didn’t do anything wrong.” Quinn winced. “It’s my fault. You didn’t fit the criteria to continue.”

“You said I was doing well.”

“You did great. It’s just one of those things,” Quinn said. “But I really enjoyed our time together. You were, by far, the most enthusiastic participant I’ve ever had.”

Mackie lifted his head, and Quinn’s stomach tightened when he saw tears in his eyes. He braced himself for a barrage of abuse or for Mackie to throw a fist, but he grinned and held out his hand.

Quinn stared, unsure whether to shake it, but Cleo elbowed him in the ribs, and he responded, grasping a tight hold of Mackie.

“Thanks so much for the talks, Quinn.” Mackie beamed. “And thanks for putting me first. I’m going to miss these sessions, but I always knew they would come to an end one day.”

Quinn swallowed and nodded. “I’m going to miss them too.”

“If you ever need a participant for something else. I’m your man.”

Quinn nodded. “You’ll be the first man I turn to.”

Mackie shot a watery-eyed smile to Cleo, then left the room. His slow steps echoed in the corridor, and then the gate at the end clunked.

“That went better than I was expecting,” Cleo muttered.

“Me too. What did you think would happen?”

“Crying, lots of it. I thought that’s why you asked me along, so I could hug him.”

“No, I asked you in case he got nasty.”

Cleo lifted her eyebrow. “Mackie? He’s a sweetheart.”

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