Page 18 of Psycho

From the world… and from me.

No one knew about her, save for Edger and Brody, but that was only because I put those big fuckers on her to protect her from everything and everyone.

But it wasn’t like both men could be with her twenty-four-seven.

My fists clenched at the thought.

I wouldn’t want them to be with her twenty-four-seven.

My focus came back to my surroundings as the bell rang, and students burst out of the building like the Devil himself was on their heels.

My eyes scanned over the faces, from one kid to the next, until a flash of yellow caught my attention.

I took her in, feeling my heart constrict at the sight of the small girl, seemingly weighed down by her backpack.

She had her hair down today, the dark locks flowing to her navel, her face free of makeup but no less charming, those interesting features of hers capturing my attention the same way they had that first day.

The piece of shit in a black Corvette pulled up to the side of the school, and I reined in my self-control as I watched her climb in the car with the little fucker.

I hadn’t done anything to him because he hadn’t given me a reason to.

He had been her only boyfriend since I started watching her, and I didn’t fucking know what I should do about it.

I knew what I wanted to do.

Fuck me, but how badly I wanted to do it.

Yet…

I didn’t want to hurt her by going after the fucker if she truly cared about him.

Never had I had to battle with fucking indecision.

Usually, I just fucking acted.

My world had no room for hesitancy or indecision, because that would likely mean my death.

But with her…

I didn’t fucking know what I should do.

I moved over to my bike and hopped on, driving off and leaving Lainey behind for the next time I would come and see her.

3

LAINEY

I came homea little after the sun had set, enjoying a bit of the cool breeze as it fanned across the back of my neck.

It was mid-April, just a little over a month before school finally let out and I would graduate.

It was hot in Sacramento during this time of the year, and even worse in the trailer with no air conditioning and cramped space.

I dreaded each step I took leading to the trailer’s front door, slowing my steps and taking in thehomeI had been living in since I was born, save for the brief few magical years I had been with my grandma.

Dad bought this when he and Mom first started dating.

Around eight, when Mom left, I lived with my grandma until I was about thirteen. Though she didn’t have a lot, the small ranch-style house I lived in with her for five years was one of the best times of my life.

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