Page 142 of Psycho

I opened my mouth but, for the first time, found myself without a fucking voice.

I took a deep breath and looked into my brother’s eyes. “Lainey.”

23

LAINEY

I had been walkingaround on a small high since Micah dropped me off, and I didn’t know what to make of it.

I felt stupid for even softening toward the man, to the point where I was questioning whether or not his reputation as an unemotional psycho was nothing more than rumor.

But Iwasdoing that.

Softening toward him.

I looked down at the phone he had gotten me as I shut everything in my locker, getting ready for lunch.

I had never had a phone before.

There was never really any reason, nor did I have the money for one. Besides, a phone would have meant another way Dad could have contacted me, and I had preferred he didn’t know where I was going or who I was with.

But this one was different.

It wasn’t like Micah didn’t already know where I was, and I had a feeling if I decided to hang out with anyone, he would know it, too.

It wasn’t freedom, but it felt less restrictive than it had been when I was still living with Dad.

And there were only two contacts saved there.

Him, and a man named Roman.

I didn’t need to ask him who Roman was.

Roman Stone was his brother—and the VP of the King’s Men MC.

I didn’t know why Micah decided to give me his brother’s contact information, but I was determined never to use it.

Walking out of the school, I headed to the small sub shop just up the block. A lot of students liked to go there during lunchtime.

I wasn’t even halfway there when I felt eyes on me.

I slowed down in my steps and looked around but couldn’t see anything.

Why was I feeling eyes on me again?

The hair on the back of my neck rose, and everything told me to go back to the safety of the school.

I wasn’t one to ignore my instincts, and I turned back around, about to do just that when my phone started ringing.

Micah’s name flashed on the screen, and I felt my heart skip a beat at the sight.

There was something seriously wrong with me.

But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t answer him. Didn’t mean I didn’t miss his voice.

I was about to answer the call when a dark shadow loomed over me.

I thought it was a dark cloud coming in for a moment, but then the shadow moved, and I felt someone breathing behind my back.

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