ASPEN
Quinton’s warning has me on my toes, so I spend the next couple of hours in the library talking to Brittney to calm down. She’s cataloging books, and I’m helping ortryingto help.
I grab a book from the return pile and hand it to her. “I used to think I wanted to be a doctor, so I could help people, but the more I think about it, the more I want to be a librarian.”
Brittney smiles. “You can’t possibly believe how much that means to me.”
I roll my eyes and smile. It’s hard to believe this woman hacked into someone’s shit and destroyed lives. She’s more like a hero than a villain.
“I like the solitude and the quiet. The only people that come to the library are people like you that crave the same things you crave.”
Her phone pings with an incoming text, and she grabs it off the desk. To give her some privacy and not appear like I’m watching her, I sort books again.
Except, I know something terrible has happened because after a few seconds pass, she’s still staring at her phone, her hands trembling, her face as white as a sheet.
“Is—is everything okay?” I stutter, my fear from her reaction to whatever she just read seeping into my voice.
Slowly, she looks up at me. Her eyes are huge, and terror pools in the depths. “Phoenix.”
A shiver skates down my spine at the significance of his name. “How… how did he get your number, and what does he want?”
“He wants to talk.”
“You aren’t going to, right?” My fear for her safety mounts. “What if he finds out where you are and tries to come here and hurt you?”
“I never considered him to be the brightest crayon in the box, but I don’t think he’s stupid enough to do that.”
Somehow, I don’t believe her, mainly because when someone wants revenge, they’ll do whatever they can to get it.
“If it’ll be safer to leave, I understand. You don’t have to stay here. I want you to be safe, and if being here isn’t a safe place—”
“Stop, everything is okay.” Brittney places a hand on my shoulder, anchoring me to the ground.
I take a calming breath, just now realizing how afraid I am for her.
Her lips tip up into a smile. “Corium is more secure than Fort Knox, Aspen. I’m not worried about him coming here. If I was back home, then yes, that would be a different story.”
“I just don’t want anything to happen to you. You’re the only person who actually cares if I’m alive or dead.”
A flash of concern crosses her fairy-like features. “No one within these walls can kill you or even attempt it. There are rules in place to protect you.”
My thoughts flash to Matteo. There’s no one to protect me from him now. Nothing to stop him from getting revenge. Brittney is right. He can’t kill me, but he can make me wish I was dead, and that’s the same thing.
“Yeah, I know the rules, but I don’t trust them. My death would be a drop in a bucket to these people.”
“Stop thinking like that. No one is going to hurt you, not if I have anything to say about it.” I wish her confidence in Corium could hold me over, but it doesn’t. I don’t trust this place, much less the people living in the walls. I glance at the watch on my wrist and realize I’ve been here longer than I anticipated.
“Shit. I need to get going,” I grumble.
“That’s fine. Thanks for helping.” Brittney beams.
I hesitate to leave. I’ll miss lunch and doing my homework if it makes her feel better to have me here. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay? I can always stay a little longer.”
“Don’t be silly. Phoenix is like a chihuahua. He thinks he’s vicious when he’s not. I can handle this, and if I can’t, you’ll be the first person I tell. Okay?”
I know she is downplaying it, but I still nod and give her a hug before I leave. The corridor is dark and mostly empty as I race back to my dorm. Paranoia pulses through my veins, and I glance over my shoulder with every step I take.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Quinton decided now was a good time to collect hisfavor. Alone in the hall, the dark shadowing us. Is it fucked up for me to be slightly turned on at the thought?