Make You Beg

She sits up and pushes her bottom lip out. “Play with me.”

Pushing her onto her back, I get up and straddle her, pinning her arms to the mattress by her head.

“That’s more like it.” She runs her tongue over her teeth while arching her back.

My eyes drop to her breasts, and the demon screams again to take control. To remind her what being mine means. I take in a deep breath. “If you need—”

“Stop, Law.” She interrupts me, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Don’t ruin it.” She starts pulling on her arms, and I let them go. Lifting them, she cups my face. “I trust you.” Her pretty blue eyes go back and forth between mine. “Tell me you trust me.”

I snort. “Of course …”

“Then trust me when I say I’m ready.” Her hands let go, falling to her side. “Now be a good boyfriend and play with your doll.”

HENLEY

I sit in Lacey’s Town Car in front of Westbrook High. She reaches out and touches my hand. “I can have him take you back home. Do it another day.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I’m ready.” People probably think I’m dead like Brenda. My body floating downstream to someday be found with a made-up story of how I died in an accident.

I’ve stayed at home for three weeks now. I spent the first one recovering from physical injuries and exhaustion. The other two I spent recovering from something I will never remember happened to me. Maybe that’s for the best. I’m not sure at this point. Lisa had a therapist come to the house and talk to me. I didn’t say much. There wasn’t anything to talk about. All I know is what Law told me he watched. I never asked to see it. I didn’t want to because it wouldn’t change anything. Why have those nightmares? My father made a public statement three weeks ago that I was alive and well resting at home. He hasn’t pressured me once to get out of the house or go to school. But I’m ready.

Yesterday when Law got home from school, I was ready for him. For sex. To get back to how things were. I was craving that physical connection with him. Because I was telling him the truth when I said I trusted him. With my life. He’s saved it twice along with the other Reapers.

The hardest thing to wrap my head around was the fact that I thought Scout actually loved me at one point. But what he allowed Steve to do to me wasn’t love.

Earlier this week, I sat down with the guys, my father and Lisa, even Derek was there while they explained every little piece of the puzzle they knew, and I hated myself for how stupid I was. How much trust I had in Scout over the years. I felt bad for everything I did to Dax. All of them actually. Their best friend betrayed them too. But it just brought us all closer together and made our bond stronger. We’re better friends now than we ever were before.

“The bell is about to ring,” Lacey tells me, getting my attention.

I nod. “Okay.” Grabbing my bag, I open the back door and step out. Kids’ eyes immediately land on me, and they gasp. Chatter comes to a stop.

It’s like my first day back all over again. Except this time, there aren’t four Reapers hanging out by their cars. Now there are only three cars—and they must already be inside.

Pulling the backpack onto my shoulder, I walk into the main building with Lacey by my side and a smile on my face.

This time, this place feels like home. Reminds me of the good memories that you want to remember forever and ready to make new ones. I dressed up like I used to, wearing a pair of black Louboutin heels, skinny jeans, and a black and white Balenciaga top. I spent extra time curling my hair and applying full makeup. I wanted to look as good as I feel.

“Henley?”

We come to a stop as Jamie jumps out in front of me. Her watery hazel eyes go from mine to Lacey. “I’m so sorry.” She licks her lips. “For everything I did. For …”

“It’s okay, J,” I tell her and then grab Lacey’s hand and walk around her. Things won’t ever be the same between us, but that doesn’t mean I can’t forgive her. It’s funny how people change their minds about how they feel about you when they think you’re missing and possibly dead.

We make our way down the hallway, and I see him. Law is leaning up against his locker. His right knee bent with his shoe lifted behind him, resting on it. He’s got both arms crossed over his chest, dressed in a pair of his designer jeans and a white Graveyard T-shirt that fits so tightly it shows off everything I know he has to offer. Monroe stands in front of him, laughing. Rellik and Derek both stand to his left.