Page 104 of Caged

“Youdestroyedme,” I continue, unable to stop myself at this point. “So why would I tell you the real reason when it was so much more satisfying to watch you fall apart like the cheating piece of shit you are? You didn’t deserve the truth, Jace.”

“Fuck you Gabriella,” he has the nerve,the fucking nerve, to say.

“Retribution is a fucking bitch, isn’t it Jace? Now get the fuck out of my bedroom!” I shout. If Ele and Viv didn’t hear our conversation before, they surely have now. Tears threaten to spill from my eyes. I want to scream at him. I want to gouge his eyes out with that fucking knife in his hand.

The only leverage I’ve had over this man, the ruse that I’ve kept going for years, is gone, and I’m furious with myself. I’m furious because I stupidly thought he would feelbad.I expected him to show a semblance of remorse, but he didn’t, and why would he when he knew the entire fucking time that he had cheated? He knew, and he didn’t care. And now, he has the gall to be madat me.

One leg at a time, he climbs off my bed, refusing to break eye contact. His chest heaves like he wants to say something, to retaliate. He certainly could. He’s the one with the weapon in his hand. I glare at him, picturing myself leaping from the bed,grabbing the knife, and stabbing him over and over in the chest until the last bit of light drains from his eyes. God, it would feel so damn good.

“Gabriella,” he says in finality.

“What?” I hiss.

“Lock your fucking window.”

47

KIEREN

Present Day

“What the fuck is your problem?” I shout from my cushioned armchair at the sound of Jace slamming his bedroom door. Barrett and Harrison sit on the adjacent couch, the former meticulously rolling a joint, while I stare out into the hall as if she might walk through the doorway at any second.

“Fucking Christ,” I grumble, standing.

“Jace, open up,” I nag, pounding my fist against his door.

“Fuck off Kieren,” he shouts from inside.

“You do realize I have the master key that opens every bedroom in this fraternity, right?”

His door flies open. Jace storms past, refusing to make eye contact. A gym bag is slung over his shoulder, and I’ve always admired that Jace chooses to sort out his demons by throwing weights around like a Neanderthal. Personally, that seems like a lot of wasted effort and time to me. Why opt to sweat like a pig with the rest of the general population when you could make all your troubles go away with one single pill?

I trail him down the hallway, already annoyed by his insubordination.

“I asked you a fucking question, Jace.” My hand lands on his shoulder.

“Back the fuck off, Kieren,” he yells, jerking his arm away.

“You find your bitch? Is that what this is about?”

He averts his eyes, and I know I’m right.

“Any sign of Monroe? That cunt probably put her up to it. She’s back, I can feel it.” My skin tingles at the mere thought of seeing my sweet puppy again.

Jace scoffs. “Let it go, Kieren.”

“Excuse me?”

“Let Monroe fucking go,” he snaps.

“You saw her, didn’t you?”

“No, I didn’t, but I’m sick and tired of hearing about her. Your paranoia is getting on my last fucking nerve.”

“Why isn’t Gabi here?” I demand.

“Why would she be?” he barks.