Page 66 of Psycho

This girl was more trouble than she should be worth.

It was a stark reminder of why I didn’t do shit like this. Why I didn’t let my emotions play a role in the game. And yet, she could bring out just about every one of them.

I switched gears in the car and drove off.

We didn't say anything as I drove us to the gas station, the same one I had seen her in for the first time.

She barely moved when I pulled up to a pump.

I quickly pumped my gas, my eyes scanning my surroundings.

I was a fucking paranoid bastard on a good day.

With what I did, it was necessary, considering that paranoia had saved my fucking ass time and time again. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going on, and this feeling had only gotten stronger since I decided to take her and keep her.

As if I was afraid something might happen to take her away from me.

I turned away when the pump clicked to indicate it was full, and I settled the pump back into place and climbed in.

“Why are we here? Your house is clear across the city.”

I nodded. “It is. But I thought you might want to pack the rest of your things. You came out of the trailer in such a rush. I’m sure you left some things behind.”

Her face darkened. “You mean when I was trying to get away from you?”

I nodded. “Yes. But we both know you’re not going to do that again.”

She looked off to the side, and I almost opened my mouth and demanded she turn and look at me, so I could see what she was feeling or thinking.

Besides the first day, when she was scared shitless of me, and when I had her in my bed, writhing under me in ecstasy, this girl was so hard to read.

Unlike Ryleigh, Roman’s wife, who showcased just about every thought and emotion to flit across her mind, Lainey was quiet and closed off.

Whereas Ryleigh was shy, Lainey was cautious and cynical.

And I didn’t want to compare the two women, but Ryleigh was the only other woman I interacted with. Kai and Dominic had women, but unlike them, Ryleigh was forced to be in my presence because of Roman. The other two were scared of me and didn’t talk to me unless they had to.

I didn’t have relationships.

I had no need for them, nor did I want one.

They were messy and damaging, and aside from the three rare ones between Roman, Dominic, and Kai and their women, the ones I’d witnessed were a true testament to that, including my own parents.

I didn’t consider what I had with Lainey as a relationship.

More like ownership.

But fuck if I didn’t wish Lainey was as easy as Ryleigh.

I shook my head as I pulled up to the piece-of-shit trailer.

Edger was standing outside, watching us, but he didn’t show any reaction.

I would have pulled him out of the job since I had Lainey with me now, but something reeked about Ozzy Reyes, and I wanted Edger to keep a closer eye on the fucker.

One bad move from the fucker, and even if Lainey asked me not to, I would fucking destroy him.

But that was another problem for another day.

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