Page 125 of Pink Ink

I swear he flinches. I keep going before he can say more, becauseI’mthe one in control here. There’s nothing he could say that would change anything. I’m setting the line in stone, and there’s to be no more crossing it. He needs to stop leading me on and filling me with false hope.

“I have strong feelings for Lawrence.”Negative feelings. “And I would appreciate it if you didn’t interfere with my relationship with him, or anyone else, for that matter.”

Maddox’s eyes darken, and the room temperature plummets as his mask fractures to let the beast through. “I have a list,” he starts, words slow to ensure I don’t miss a single thing. “It’s a list of names of all the men in this city who I’d like to turn into decorative pieces.” He tips his head innocently to the side. “It would be most unfortunate if Lawrence were to end up on this list. Or any other men I deem… unworthy.”

My throat bobs. The idea makes me sick with glee, and mortification that he can twist me around his fingers so easily. “You wouldn’t dare.”

His gaze drops to my lips for one jarring second. “You have no idea what I would and wouldn’t do when you’re involved.”

I stagger back from the heated change in his tone. I feel like I can’t get enough oxygen in my lungs. “Lawrence is a police officer.”

“All men bleed equally.”

“You’re insane.” I shake my head, scowling at him.

“I thought we’ve been over this before, Miss Sinaga.” Maddox’s voice drops in volume, and the skin of his knuckles turns white. “Youmake me insane.”

Tears spring in the back of my eyes. “Stop,” I rasp through clenched teeth. “Don’t.”

Once someone else is interested in histoyhe threw away, he doesn’t like it.

Hedidn’t want me.Heruined me like he said he could. He turned me into a fool, and he keeps coming back to do it again.

Maddox starts to move around the table. “Reyna, I meant what I said. There hasn’t been a moment that you haven’t occupied every single one of my thoughts, and—”

“No. Stop talking. I don’t want to hear it. I—” I choke back tears.

I’m so fuckingtired. I just wanted to make films and get to know my dad.

I can’t do this. With him. With Lawrence. With anyone.

“If you ever gave a shit about me, you’re going to answer my question.” I pull up a photo of the honeycomb insignia on my phone. “Your kills. What is the connection between your victims, Cresswell, and this honeycomb? I know a lot of them studied here, and this symbol—this society has something to do with it.”

The blood drains from his face. “There is no connection, and you should stop looking for one.”

He’s lying—he’s fuckinglying.

“We’re done here. Don’t ever speak to me again.”

I snatch my books off the desk and storm toward the door, using every ounce of willpower to keep my sob at bay.

“Reyna,”Maddox calls.

My footsteps quicken and I ignore his calls as I whip the door open and stagger out, narrowly colliding with another student.

“Hey, you okay?”

“Fine!”

My eyes snap up to Alex’s, and I almost trip in my haste to get away from him. I spin around and bound down the steps to get away from both men because I’m being reminded of the day Maddox made me think he was interested in me for anything beyond sex. He pointed me to the door and gave me the opportunity to stop before we started.

I regret not taking it.

REYNA

I round the corner to the library and leap back, narrowly avoiding another collision. Hands grip on to my shoulder to catch my fall, and my breath leaves me in a rush.

“Oh, Jesus—” I snap my mouth shut. My lips twitch into an involuntary scowl. “Lawrence.”