Page 340 of Filthy Elites

Not with terms like those.

“All I want is for us to be together and happy without other people trying to get in the way of that,” he says in a way that makes it sound so sensible. “Is that so bad?”

I shake my head again.

“Is that what you want, too?”

My tummy roils, but I ignore it and nod my head. “Yes, of course.”

“Good.” He kisses the side of my face, then finally lets go of my jaw.

He held me so tight, I’m afraid there may be fingerprints. I rub the skin lightly, looking up at him.

His attention has shifted to the sheet of paper in my hand. “I see you’ve read the poem. Much better than hers, if I do say so myself.”

“Did you have your nerd army write it?” I ask a bit stiffly, trying to get back into the frame of mind of a girlfriend whose boyfriend isn’t openly threatening violence to one of her friends.

He smirks. “Nope. Penned that one myself, just like you asked.”

Just like I asked?

My blood runs cold. “What are you talking about? I never asked for this.”

“Not seriously,” he allows. “You said something about me penning a clapback poem for you being the true test. Personally, I prefer my revenge to be a little more draconian, but I decided to cover all the bases.”

I can only gape at him. “You really did this,” I say softly. “All of it?”

“What? I was just supposed to let her humiliate you and get away with it?” He caresses my jaw, his gaze oddly tender for what he’s saying. “I don’t think so, mermaid. She needed to pay. So, she did.” He kisses my forehead and takes a step back without letting go of my arm. “I’ve got class, but we’ll talk more about this later, okay?”

I nod, my insides feeling entirely hollow. I try not to let it show, but I’m not sure I’m doing a good job. It’s not until I meet his gaze and manufacture a small, reassuring smile that he finally releases my arm.

His gaze lingers for too long on my face. I can tell he’s not satisfied with my reaction, and the way he’s being today, that makes me nervous.

Hannah’s words reverberate inside my head. The memory of her fear when she turned and saw him still makes my blood run cold.

I’m afraid of him thinking more about how she might be an obstacle in the way of our relationship. I visualize beautiful, lovely Hannah on that park bench with nails through her hands and the monster that is my boyfriend standing over her.

I want to throw up.

I don’t want him to think he needs to punish anyone else.

“Dare?” I call before he gets too far.

He turns to look back at me.

“I love you.”

The words come out in a desperate tumble. I have no idea if it’s what he needs to hear or not, but relief trickles through me when he smiles.

“I love you, too.”

THIRTY-SIX

Aubrey

Sittingon my bed all alone, I go over my options.

I could go to the cops.

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