“Yeah. When he said he had nothing to do with the cookie thing.”
“I don’t know,” I said, slowly shaking my head. “I really can’t figure it out.”
“He said he didn’t know about it, but he never said he didn’t condone it.” Erin’s brows rose. “I guess it’s kind of implied, though? Plus he seemed pretty mad.”
She was right. Jaxdidseem mad at the situation. But why? He hated me, didn’t he?
I braced my shoulders and steeled my jaw, vowing not to think about it for a second longer. Jax was never going to defend me or care about me. This sudden kindness was just another dirty trick of his. Something to lull me into a false sense of security before he brought the hammer down on me again.
As long as I lived, I would never trust him.
Never.
12
Jax
I was halfwayup the stairs when my phone went off. It was a text from Cerina.
Did you see the Dirt post about K??? I can’t believe I actually convinced her to eat that stuff. Literally crying laughing right now.
Gritting my teeth, I tapped out a response.You took this shit way too far. What the actual fuck is wrong with you?
Cerina:Huh? Why are you so mad? You said you wanted to get rid of the bitch, and this is totally going to work. I bet she’s packing her things already.
Me:Like I said, you took things too far. That shit was wrong and you know it.
Cerina:Are you kidding?You wanted this lmao. Don’t act all innocent now.
Me:I wanted her gone, but I didn’t want you to do sick shit like this. Feeding her father’s ashes to her is fucking disgusting. Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with you?
Cerina:OMG so you’re defending her now?? Haha wtf??
Me:I’m not defending her. What you did was fucked up and you know it.
Cerina:Why don’t you just go and fuck her seeing as you obviously want her so bad?? I’m sure that slut will spread her legs for you like she does for everyone else.
Me:Stop, Cerina. I fucking mean it. STOP.
I stepped into my room and tossed my phone on the bed, ignoring it when it vibrated again. I didn’t give a fuck about whatever Cerina had to say anymore. I was done listening to her bullshit.
I exhaled deeply and slumped down at my desk, still unable to get the image of those cookies out of my head. I hated Kinsey, but holy fuck, when I saw the look of horror on her face earlier, I wanted to burn the whole world down.
It wasn’t that I cared about her or wanted her like Cerina suggested. It was just objectively disgusting to make someone eat their own family member’s dead body. Fucked up beyond belief.
I glanced to the right, noticing something out of the corner of my eye. A package was sitting on my desk.
I leaned over and read the Post-It note stuck on top.Jax, this was delivered for you earlier – Maeve
Brows furrowing, I ripped open the package and scanned the contents. When I realized what it was, my spirits soared.Thank fuck. I’d almost given up waiting for this thing. The company I bought it from had experienced delays due to supply chain disruptions, and unfortunately, it was the only place this specific product could be ordered from.
It was a tiny device with a camera and microphone that could be set up to transmit recordings to my phone or computer. It was the only one on the market that was almost completely invisible when installed—no flashing lights or sounds when it was active—and it was completely undetectable too, even to apps that were designed to find hidden cameras. It also had full night vision.
Once I set it up in Kinsey’s room, I’d be able to get video evidence of her fucking my dad. Then I could use the tape to get her out of town. I planned to show it to her and give her three days to convince Anna to let her go back to Oakland. If she refused to do it, I’d threaten to show the tape to her mother along with everyone else.
That threat would be enough to make her comply. I was sure of it.
Funnily enough, the video blackmail idea actually came from Kinsey herself. She inspired me with the little tape she made of me and my friends all those weeks ago. I’d have to remember to thank her while she was packing up all her shit.