Page 69 of Saint

Violet: Who said I’m your girl?

Saint: Feisty. Careful. I might be tempted to carve that defiance out of you.

A shiver runs down my spine because I don’t think he’s exaggerating.

Saint: You’re lucky, tonight I’m willing to put that enticing idea aside. I’m in the mood to hunt.

Violet: What are you hunting?

Saint: You.

There it is again. That prickling on the back of my neck. The instinct that whispers in my ear because I know better than to feed into this.

I should fight it. But he knows I won’t.

Violet: First, I want answers. I’m tired of you keeping me in the dark.

Saint: Bargaining like you have a choice in how this goes? You already lost the upper hand by showing up here.

Violet: Then I’ll leave.

Saint: That wouldn’t be smart.

Violet: Try me.

Saint: Twenty seconds, Violet, that’s all I’m giving you.

Violet: Until what?

Saint: Until you run… if you’re smart. But when I catch you, I’m going to make you hurt for me. Do well, and maybe I’ll consider answering one question.

Violet: You don’t get to make all the rules.

Saint: 20

Violet: I’m not running until we talk.

Saint: 19

Saint: 18

Now would be the time to get into my car and never come back here. Except I don’t want to, and he already knows that.

Another chime rings out from my phone, but I don’t look at the screen. He’s counting down the seconds and watching me.

There’s no use bargaining.

Kole might listen to me, but right now, I’m dealing with Saint. If I want the answers I’m looking for, I’ll have to play on his terms first.

My phone chimes again, and I jump, dropping it. He’ll just use it to track me if I keep it anyway. Looking at the gate a final time, I imagine he’s watching.

Waiting patiently.

Begging me to run just so he can chase.

So that’s what I do.

I start toward my car but run past it into the forest that surrounds Sigma House. At least I was smart enough to wear sneakers. But my sweater catches on every branch as I run past.

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