Page 105 of Inside the Wicked

“My biggest regret will always be allowing that man into your life for the poison he inflicted.”

My heart shatters where I stand. “I’m in love with Rhett Kaiser,” I say.

“He’sgone,” Dad says coldly.

My smile is made of the broken pieces. “Not to me,” I whisper.

I turn to leave.

“Your phone,” Dad says at my back.

My jaw flexes in irritation and humiliation. I’m not a child. But he has all the power in the room, and it’s like I don’t know him anymore. I wouldn’t put it past him to order a body search even if I was kicking and screaming.

I pull it out, leaving it on the coffee table. I don’t look to either of my parents before I stroll out the room.

There’s security all around the foyer. I’d likely be tackled, dragged to my room, if I tried to leave now. So I head up there myself.

In solitude, exhaustion sweeps me out of nothing but pure sadness. I want to crawl up in the bed and cry for hours, but I don’t, because I don’t think I’ll stop. I want Rhett to be curled up with me.

Reaching into the inside pocket of my jacket, I pull out my new phone from Xoid. It doesn’t have typical apps and functions like a regular cell. I have to wait for Rhett to somehow contact me through it like Rix did. He’ll know how and when I can escape this place.

The first message to come through doesn’t contain any words. It’s a little bird animation that flies across the dark screen, and I break into a sob mixed with a laugh. Sinking down against the wall, I wait for what follows.

How are you, baby?

I think I’m officially the world’s worst daughter.

That’s a high achievement. I’m proud of you.

He pulls more laughter from me, and it’s healing until the sharpness in me cuts again. My head tips back for a moment to collect myself. I need him with me right now.

I miss you.

His next text slides onto the screen before dissolving away like the ones before.

What’s the plan of breakout?

We’re considering our options, but it’s looking like I might need to show you how to successfully lose the police after you break yourself out. I’ll be waiting.

No fancy tricks?

Fast and dirty, baby.

My heart skips a beat.

Tonight?

Unless you want to stay. As much as I want you, your parents mean well, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. You can take some time with them.

No. Nothing will be fixed even in a week locked here.

Midnight then.

I clutch the phone to my chest and try not to stare at the time. All it does is wrack me with guilt. I know I owe my parents part of me back, and right now, every confrontation with my father makes me fear I’ll never give it to them. He’s trying to get through to me, but the problem is, he won’t listen to hear it’s not what I need. When all this is over, with Alistair and Jacob gone, I’ll figure out how the fuck I’m going to make this divide work. One life for Rhett, my truest and happiest, and maybe I’ll have to accept living a life of pretend for my parents, who will never understand.

CHAPTER 38

Rhett

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