Page 40 of Sadistic

Njal:

Two weeks Rev. Just give me two weeks to convince you.

Me:

Convince me of what? That you weren't fucking Ingrid for four months? You told me you were talking.

The typing dots appear and disappear several times.

Njal:

It wasn't like that.

She meant nothing.

You know you're the only one who matters.

I throw the phone into the passenger seat, gripping the steering wheel hard enough to hurt.

The car responds to my anger, engine growling as I accelerate.

So much power at my fingertips, but I'm still trapped.

At the next light, I pick up the phone again.

Me:

Lose my number. If you ever cared about me at all, stay the fuck away from me.

I block him before he can respond.

I get back to Regnor and Everly’s house and park the Audi next to Everly’s SUV.

Movement in the rearview mirror catches my eye—a figure approaching.

My hand goes to the door lock, but then I recognize the walk.

It’s Dalla.

She must’ve gotten a ride back home since she took Njal back home on his bike.

She slides into the passenger seat without asking. "Nice ride."

"It's a bit excessive, if you ask me."

"It's nice, and probably necessary, " She runs her hands over the leather. "Doran wasn't playing about the protection."

"How was it when you dropped off Njal?"

"Eh, a mess. Oskar's watching him now." She turns to face me. "He's in bad shape, Rev. Talking about what to do to win you back, but he’s about half a bottle into whiskey now."

"Ingrid warned me."

"Ingrid? When did you—never mind." She shakes her head. "We have bigger problems. Mom called. She wants us at the house tomorrow. Something about having girl time and then putting some ideas for the wedding together."

"Funny, Doran wants me to hop on the wedding planning too. I have to study tomorrow. But I’ll work around it."

"She knows. Just tomorrow evening. Just us, her, and a bunch of dresses that Doran’s mother designed. I… I think Mom invited Greer to be part of this, and if he has sisters I’m sure they’ll be included as well."

---