Because I’d come to a sudden stop, it caused the person behind me to slam into my back. They gave me a juicy curse before walking around me.

  But the commotion had been loud enough that Trevor and his cronies took notice, and he glanced in my direction.

  He didn’t show any expression, or maybe he couldn’t because of the state of his face, but he held my gaze for so long that I felt this icy chill skate down my spine.

  And when he looked away, I exhaled, realizing I’d been holding my breath. There was this weird sensation that spoke volumes in the look he gave me.

  It was one that said, “you’re going to pay for this”.

  He glanced at me once more, and I narrowed my eyes.

  All I could think about was how afraid I’d been when he pressed me against that wall, and how I’d been so helpless. I didn’t want to feel that way again.

  The knife Hades had given me was tucked in the pocket of my cardigan, feeling hot and heavy. Feeling like protection.

  I thought about the girl in the bathroom. How he’d attacked her, but she didn’t have anyone to talk to.

  I could only imagine the horrors that Trevor had done to her. How hopeless she must have felt when he taunted that no one would ever believe her.

  I hoped he could see the anger burning in my eyes and directed solely on him. I hoped he could feel how much my hatred for him burned within me.

  I didn’t want to be afraid anymore. I wouldn’t.

  I refused to.

  I walked right by him and to my locker, my head held high, my shoulders back. Fuck him. Fuck his father. And fuck this entire school.

  I went about the rest of the day feeling a surge of confidence I hadn’t experienced in far too long.

  There was just so much on my mind, things that I couldn’t control, and a situation that seemed hopeless.

  But throughout all of this internal turmoil, only one man kept a constant presence within me.

  Hades.

  The face of the man I thought I’d hated for so long, yet had fallen so hard for. I didn’t know when it had happened, but I was glad it had.

  I loved him.

  It was right before lunch, as I was walking to the cafeteria, that everyone seemed more animated. Their attention was on their phones as they congregated in the halls.

  And when they saw me, they stopped, covering their mouths with their hands as they whispered. Others were outright pointing right at me.

  “Oh my God, not only did she get Trevor hurt, she also went after his father.”

  I glanced at the girl who said the words, and she took a step back from me, as if she thought I’d hurt her.

  I found a secluded corner away from everyone else, pulled out my phone, and started searching news reports. Of course, I knew what Hades had done.

  Several news reports were very vague about what had happened to Martin Wilcox, but they all said he was beaten brutally and found in the back alley behind an abandoned slaughterhouse known as Butcher and Sons.

  There also had been several anonymous tips that Judge Wilcox was involved in illegal activities. Racketeering, blackmail, and bribery were the “lesser” named allegations.

  There was a slew of sexual assault reports that were revealed, ones that were wiped off record—or so he thought. I read only a couple of the reports before I was sick to my stomach and had to exit off the websites.

  I turned off my phone and shoved it in my bag. I didn’t want notifications. I didn’t want messages filling my phone up because everyone was playing the blame game and it was all pointed at me.

  But isn’t it my fault? That little, insidious voice in the back of my mind whispered. Hades might have followed through with it all, but it was because of me. For me.

  I pushed that bitch of a voice away. The judge had it coming. He deserved so much more.

  I stood there and just stared at the ground for long moments, before the bell and I was pulled out of my musings. I needed to get my fucking life together.

  I spent the rest of the day in this haze until the last period finally came. I was looking at the clock, counting down the minutes until we were let out. And when it finally came, I grabbed my stuff, feeling like a zombie as I made my way out.

  I’d grown numb to the whispers and glares all day. If they only knew. It wouldn’t have mattered, I thought. These people… it wouldn’t have mattered.

  I had to make a detour to one of my previous classes to drop off an assignment. I’d been in such a daze all day. I was pretty sure I’d forgotten to turn in a lot of shit.

  Did any of this matter, though? Missing homework, being late to class… any of the mundane things we did daily that didn’t make one difference in your life. Not when people were being assaulted, maimed, and killed.

  When I left the classroom, I was getting my phone out. I wanted to talk to Hades. I’d keep calling and texting until he realized I wasn’t going anywhere.

  I rounded a corner just as I felt this weird sensation move down my spine.

  “The shit you’ve started, you little fucking bitch.”

  I snapped my head up and froze as I saw Trevor standing at the end of the hall. He was seething as he stared at me.

  After glancing around, I realized this part of the school had already been cleared out, and the chance of a student or teacher coming through was probably slim. I glanced over my shoulder from where I’d come. I could run back to the classroom I’d just been at, tell the teacher, but then Trevor tsked.

  “You can try to leave, but I’ll just keep coming for you, cunt.”

  I now had my hand in my cardigan pocket as I faced him again. No more running.

  “The damage you’ve done.” His face was red, and he took a step closer. “What your fucking watchdog did to my father.” Spittle flew out of his mouth as he stalked closer.

  I moved back then, but he was corralling me, moving me to where he wanted, and that was with the wall at my back and the only way out through him.

  I wouldn’t show him I was afraid. “If you mean you and your corrupt asshole father got what you deserved and you can’t hurt people anymore because the spotlight is on you…” I shrugged, my fingers curling around the sheath of the knife. I had to maneuver it so I could grab the hilt and get to the weapon.

  His nostrils flared, and I could see how tightly his hands were clenched into fists. I hoped my words hurt. I hoped they cut deep.

  I still had my hand tightly around the hilt of the knife. I didn’t want to use it. But I would. I would not be a victim again. I wouldn’t allow someone to overpower me.

  “You fucked everything up. My father nearly died. And you shit on my fucking reputation, and I’ve had a lot of time to think about this, you bitch.”

  Faster than I could anticipate, he was charging at me. I opened my mouth to scream, but he slapped his hand over my lips viciously, his body pressing me forcibly to the wall.

  My head cracked back against the cinderblock, and I groaned as the pain sliced through my skull. The sound was muffled as stars danced in front of my vision.

  My bag slipped off my shoulder, but he shifted, pressing further into me, securing the strap between our bodies.

  His mouth was right by my ear as he hissed, “I’m going to fuck you up the same way you fucked up my life. I’m gonna make you bleed in the worst way possible, rip away all that fucking innocence that you cling to. And when I’m done with you, you’ll be crying and shivering in the corner, wanting the fucking psychopath you live with.” He bit my earlobe hard enough I screamed behind his hand. “And then I’m going after him. No amount of time will heal the wounds I give you.”

  As my vision cleared and the sting in my head faded, his words sank in. I could see myself exactly how he described, pictured the destruction caused within me.

  I wasn’t weak. I was strong. He was about to find out just how much.

  He leaned back and snapped his teeth at me, the bruising on his face seeming far more intense the closer he was.

  “First, I’m gonna break your nose like that fucking prick did to me. Then I’m going to snap every one of your fingers.” He dropped his voice low. “And when you’ve finally had enough—or thought you had—I’m going to gorge myself between your thighs until the blood runs down your legs.”

  He didn’t even get that last word out before I was pulling out the knife. I had the blade pressed to his throat, and felt sadistic satisfaction as his eyes slowly widened. And I let my grin spread as I leaned into him, the blade so sharp and precise, it cut into his flesh smoothly.

  “It looks like the only one who’s going to have their blood spilled is you, you son of a bitch. Now get your fucking hands off me.” He loosened his hold on me, but I kept pushing forward, digging that knife further into his neck.

  It wouldn’t take much more for me to cut into his jugular. I’d be covered in his blood. It would be messy and inconvenient, but a very dark feeling surged through me.

  “Here’s what’s going to happen.” I moved forward, and he took one step back, trying to take the pressure off of where the knife was pressed to his neck, but I wasn’t going to let him.

  I was too high on the power right now, too drunk off the control I had.

  “All your secrets are going to burst open. You’re nothing but an infection. Every single one of those girls you assaulted is going to look you in the face and tell the world what a piece of shit you are.”

  His eyes narrowed and his hands lifted.

  “Now, now. Don’t even think about it.” More blood dripped down his neck, and I was riveted to the sight. “You’re gonna be my bitch now, Trevor.” I dug the knife in harder and he gasped, his skin opening up. I didn’t cut him deep enough to nick anything vital, but it would leave a scar.

  “You fucking crazy bitch.”

  I felt a grin spread across my face as a hysterical laugh spilled out. “I’m not crazy and I’m not a bitch. I’m tired of taking people’s shit, especially yours.”

  With that, I pushed him away with the blade and he stumbled back, his hand flying to the side of his neck.

  “If you come near me again, if I hear you went near another girl again without her consent…” I stepped forward and held up the bloody blade. “I’ll cut your balls off and stuff them down your throat.”

  He muttered, “Crazy bitch,” under his breath before turning and leaving. I stood there for a long time. I felt myself starting to slowly unravel. And this heaviness settled over me.

  I shoved the knife in my bag and braced a hand on the wall, stumbling into the bathroom, thankful no one was around. I was about to freak out, scream, tear at my clothes to get the stench of Trevor’s blood off me.

  Thankfully, the bathroom was empty, and I went to the sink and stared at my hands. They had his blood on them, and I sucked in a sharp breath.

  I washed for so long and so hard. By the time I shut the water off, my hands were raw and red but blissfully clean.

  I took a steadying breath and then exhaled, knowing I had to get outside because Bruno would be waiting for me. I didn’t want him to have an excuse to come inside and look for me.

  That wasn’t the kind of attention I wanted.

  I dried my hands, adjusted my bag, and gave myself one more lingering look in the mirror.

  I told myself to find that inner strength and hold on to it.

  And so I gripped the hell out of it until there was no way it would leave.

  Never again.

  Chapter 29

  Hades

  She was all I fucking thought about. I couldn’t think, sleep, or even fucking eat.

  I was glad I’d told Persephone about one slice of my life at the hands of her father and mine. Because a part of me wanted her to be closer than anyone had ever been.

  But I yearned to see her. I fucking ached to tell her.

  I’d burn down the whole fucking world if it meant I had her right in front of me at this very moment.

  I dragged a finger across my busted lip, the blood smearing across my cheek.

  Over the past forty-eight hours, I’d been doing fight after underground fight. I wanted that violence—needed it. It was a physical reminder that I was actually here.

  I couldn’t pretend like dropping that bomb in Persephone’s lap the other night wasn’t going to cause irrevocable damage. I should have just given her enough money to live off for the rest of her life, and left her alone.

  But my pride… my vengeance had run too deep.

  She didn’t need me.

  But I fucking needed her.

  My body was bruised and battered, one of my eyes was black and swollen, and my bottom lip was split on the side. And even though the pain would have felt so fucking good, liberating to my core before Persephone came into my life, right now it barely scratched the surface of what I needed out of it.

  Although I’d been staying away during the day, I had been coming back to the house well after I knew she was in bed. I found her easily, knowing she wouldn’t have stayed in my room, and not because I’d trashed the fucking place.

  For the last two days, I stood in her room and watched her sleep, wanting to curl myself around her, to feel her, fuck her, make her mine and tell her I was never letting her go.

  I changed into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, my body screaming at me with every move. I’d take a reprieve the rest of the day, but tonight I had another fight set. And I needed it.

  I didn’t know how long I could go on doing this. Maybe until my body gave out. Maybe until I got my head out of my ass and stopped being a coward so I could face Bunny.

  My cell phone vibrated across my desk with an incoming call.

  “Yeah, Bruno?” My skin pulled at the side of my mouth after I spoke. I felt the wound open up slightly, and once again, the metallic tang of blood spilled across my tongue.

  “Boss, I don’t know what’s wrong, but your girl’s acting strange.”

  Every part of me went on high alert. “What do you mean?” I looked at the time and saw she was already out of school. I was grabbing my shit and heading out the door before Bruno even started speaking again.

  “I don’t know. She’s just acting weird, calm, like she’s in shock. And then there’s blood on her sweater. I’m pretty sure it’s not hers, but—”

  I hung up and was out the door before Bruno even finished speaking.

  I tried calling Persephone when I left my office, and I got in my car. But when it went straight to voice mail, for the first time in my life, I felt… panic.

  A million things ran through my head as I weaved in and out of traffic.

  Was she hurt? Was the blood hers or someone else’s? If Trevor—that fucking little asshole—hurt her again… I’d take him out to Butcher and Sons and skin him alive. Then I’d hang his corpse on a meat hook until the stench drew people in.

  I shouldn’t have hurt her. I shouldn’t have left her.

  Never again.

  Chapter 30

  Persephone

  As soon as I’d come home from school, I headed straight for the bathroom.

  “Are you okay?” Bruno asked from the other side of the closed door.

  I braced my hands on the sink and breathed out. “I’m fine. You can go.” I needed him gone. I didn’t want to see or hear anyone else right now.

  My hands shook as I turned on the faucet and let the water pour over my fingers. Although they were clean, I remembered the sight of the blood that had washed down the drain.

  Trevor’s blood.

  He deserved more than I gave him. He was still alive, the only consolation to what a piece of shit he was.

  I shut the water off and leaned against the sink, closing my eyes and breathing a set rhythm to calm myself.

  One deep breath in. One long and slow breath out.

  After I felt more like myself, I dried my hands off and faced my reflection. My dark hair seemed haphazard around my face, as if the wind had kicked it up and tangled the strands. My school cardigan, with the emblem stitched into the right breast pocket, taunted me. I looked down and stared at the section of white around the edge of the crest.

  It was a droplet of Trevor’s blood.

  I grabbed toilet paper and ran it under the faucet, then scrubbed and scrubbed at that droplet. But all it did was smear and tinge it pink.

  I closed my eyes and breathed in and out.

  One long breath in. One long breath out.

  Another in. Another out.

  “Bruno,” I said and opened my eyes, staring at myself in the mirror. I looked… calm.

  “Yeah?”

  I knew he hadn’t moved from where he was at. He’d probably called Hades too, seeing me on the verge of freaking out.

  “Can you get me a glass of water?” I was still looking at my reflection, knowing what I had to do. It was what I needed to do.

  I could sense he hadn’t moved yet, but then he told me he’d be right back and I heard his retreating footsteps. I was as silent as I could be as I opened the door, shut it again, and headed up the stairs and down the hall. I had one destination in mind—the one place I’d been told not to go.

  I felt like I was committing some cardinal sin, that I was breaking the law, and any moment I’d be caught. But I didn’t stop. I weaved around the corners, moved swiftly down the hallways.

  Bruno would be heading back to the bathroom right about now, but it didn’t matter because I was already standing on the other side of the closed door with my hand gripping the handle.

  I expected it to be locked, but when I turned it and the door opened, surprise flickered through me.

  The room was dark, the curtains drawn so not even the sunlight pierced inside. The scent that invaded my nose reminded me of a hospital. It smelled sterile, like bleach had been used to clean out the scent of death.

  I could hear a whirring sound from an IV pole, and a beep beep beep that came from a heart monitor. I looked around, taking in the single dresser across from the four-poster bed, and a small closet tucked in a corner. The room was small, far tinier than any other room in the house I’d seen so far.