Acting on autopilot, I tap the message.
My knees fold again when it fills my screen, and my butt hits the bench.
Anonymous
I killed him for you. Rich wasn’t worthy of you. He’ll never touch you again.
Black spots dance at the edges of my vision. I’m not breathing.
I can’t process it.
“Lena? What is it?” I’m only dimly aware of Amala’s question.
I can’t answer. I can’t accept what’s happening. Voicing it out loud will make it real.
“Miss Williams.”
A masculine hand touches my shoulder. I yelp in alarm and jerk away. My phone drops from my chilled fingers, clattering to the ground.
“You forgot your bag,” Professor Hirst says gently.
Then he bends down to pick up my phone. He glances at the screen.
My stomach drops when his cleanshaven jaw ticks.
He’s seen the message.
He knows someone is watching me. Someone killed for me.
Rich’s death is my fault, and my safe new life is crumbling around me.
Professor Hirst tucks my phone into his pocket. “Come with me, Lena.”
13
RAND
I’ve always been good at hiding my emotions, and that skill has never been more vital than it is right now. I’m not wearing my skull mask, and Karolina is close enough that I can smell her rose and peony scent. If I slip up for even a moment, I could ruin everything.
I have to earn her trust. She can’t suspect that I’m the one who killed Rich; I’m the one who texted her about his unworthiness.
It was very convenient that his body was discovered at such an opportune time. I was able to send the message when all of her classmates left the building shortly after she stormed out. Having the excuse to return her forgotten bag was another stroke of luck.
But if it’s going so well, why is my stomach in knots?
The sight of her distress causes me physical pain.
I harden my resolve. She’s scared, but I’m here to comfort her.
She will accept my protection.
She’ll accept the fact that I already own her, body and soul.
We’re meant to be together.
“I should join the others at the pub,” she asserts when I close my office door behind us, as though the soft thumping sound has jolted her out of a daze.
I pause, staring down at her. I maintain direct eye contact for longer than appropriate for a professor and his student, but I don’t relent.