Page 141 of Like Grim Death: Part One
I think of Sevryn’s reaction when he saw the fading marks on my thighs. Even though they’re mainly healed, he was still at least confused. Horrified. He didn’t have the same ones.
I am truly in this alone.
And I’ve done all of this… for Mavy.
It’s almost over, isn’t it?
I wish I could tell him. Even with all this shit between us, I think of springing from this bed right now, running down the hall and breaking down at his feet.Hewould take care of it. He’d take care ofme.
But the whispered threats in my ear and Lucifer of all people telling me what I need to do… I can’t run for him. It’s almost done.It’s almost over.
A tear falls hot and wet down my nose, and I hate it. My face burns hot in the cold night and I think of Sid. She’d never cry.
Maybe that’s why Maverick loves her so much. She’s tough and I’m… weak. Maybe that’s why he wants me to reach out to her.
And maybe… I could.
I scroll through my contacts again.
Her name is there.Sid Malikova.I can send her a text. Maybe I could… try. I know her and Lucifer act as if they hate me, and even being around her kinda makes me sick with jealousy, but maybe if I tried to explain my side, to talk about all this, it would help.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I roll over onto my back and open a text to her. I’ve sent three that she hasn’t replied to, just about her coming to get food or us dropping it off. Nothing she needed to send a response to, and I know she’s been busy, so it’s okay.
I’ll try again.
Me: Hi! Are you up?
I don’t send it yet, glancing at the time. She could be sleeping, and I’m sure with a baby, she isn’t getting much rest. But it’s only nine, and she seems like the kind of woman to sleep with her phone on silent if she doesn’t want to be bothered.
I send the text, holding my breath.
I think of Mavy getting mad about Atlas and I wonder what he would think if he knew Atlas cornered me when I was naked, just getting out of our shower.
Remembering it, the eerie way the candles went out, I bat down the duvet and the sheets, pinning my eyes to the closet door. The only hiding spot anyone could be in since I used the bathroom before I got in bed. The window is cracked, a cold, fall breeze drifting in, the sound of wind beyond. But there’s no other sound.
I’m just paranoid.
My phone vibrates in my hand.
My eyes pop open, heart racing. I’m shocked Sid texted me back. She’s…well, her and her husband avoid me like the plague or else when we do speak, I can tell she hates me. But maybe this could be the start of something else. Something better.
Yet when I check our texts, disappointment flickers in.
It isn’t her. I see a new message in the corner of my screen, but mine to her is only delivered. Nothing came back.
Sighing, I exit out of that and open the new one.
My stomach flips as I read Atlas’s text.
Him: Hey, are you okay?
Like you care.He was out there talking with Maverick after their fight the night before just like it was nothing too.
Me: Why are you asking me that?
Atlas doesn’t waste time texting me back.
Atlas: It didn’t go so well with Sevryn, did it?
