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The more he talks, the more complex the bigger picture becomes.

I wish I could say the more confused I become, as well, but that would be false.

No, as Jake tells me about Julian’s ambitions, I understand exactly what’s going on and why I’m such a liability, especially if daddy dearest wants someone as his wingman.

“He wants Rhue to take over the real estate and other nonpolitical businesses once he’s in office,” I say. “And he doesn’t trust Laura to handle such a massive portfolio.”

“That is correct.”

“And he knows that paying me off won’t stop me.”

“That is also correct. You see, Madison, I respect you. I really do. And Rhue, he’s one hell of a man. You’re both tainted by Julian. You see the world through his eyes. You might be able to make the sacrifice if I let you live, right?”

I stare at him for a few seconds. “What sacrifice?”

“Stop seeing Rhue.”

Of course, I could speak my mind and say no, or hell, no.

But my only objective in this moment is to get out of here alive, so I will tell this man whatever he needs to hear and in a way that makes it believable.

“I’ll be miserable, but yes. Honestly, Jake, I do value my life more than a relationship. ”

“I accept that argument. You see, Laura is pure and sweet. She doesn’t need any of this shit.

So, if I get you to just break up with Rhue and, I don’t know, maybe even help you disappear, then Julian will be happy with you out of the way, and I’ll be happy with Laura out of his reach.

While you’ll be alive and starting fresh somewhere else. ”

“That means giving up on Cornell,” I say. “You want me to forfeit my entire life.”

“Well, it’s either that or death,” Jake replies. “Or was that not clear enough?”

His phone pings, and he texts someone back.

“I can’t just say I’ll dump Rhue for you to believe me?”

“No, Madison. You have to make me buy the whole thing. Right now, Rhue is working with your daddy’s girlfriend to find you. I gotta give the kid credit. He’s got balls to go against his father like this.”

Jake takes the empty plates away and comes back with another beer and a second glass of water for me.

I’m thirsty, probably slightly dehydrated.

I need to get myself into the bathroom while my hands are still tied in front.

The last time Jake let me pee, it was humiliatingly awkward.

Time is not on my side, because I know this guy is ready to kill me at a moment’s notice, should push come to shove.

I have two options here. One, I make him “buy the whole thing.” Two, I offer him a better option altogether.

“You mean Rhue is working with Noelle?” I ask.

“Mhm. You know, I was there.”

“Where?”

“The night Roxanne died,” he says, and the regret in his voice feels like a spear jabbed directly into my heart. “I had to…I had to clean it up, make it look—”

“Like a suicide.”

He shrugs. “I had to.”

“Jake. What do you think Laura will say when she learns the truth?”

“When? What do you mean when ? Is this what you plan to do with your freedom, Madison? Rat me out to Laura?”

He’s getting angry, and I need to pull away from this topic before it blows up in my face. It was a stupid move. I should’ve been more careful, dammit. It’s the high pressure that’s getting to me.

“No, no. I mean…she’s going to find out eventually. Nothing stays hidden forever.”

“Depends on how good you are at hiding stuff,” Jake replies with a cold grin.

It’s the sneer of a murderer who’s been around the block a few times.

Yes, he’s tired of killing, but he’ll still do it if he has to, and he won’t even blink.

“Madison, your noble nature is inspiring. It really is. It’s also tainted by the real world, which is why I feel like I can actually talk to you.

I feel like you understand me. Really understand me. ”

Oddly enough, I kind of do. What does that say about me?

It doesn’t fucking matter.

“I guess I should say thank you?”

“It’s the truth. As I see it, anyway. It’s why I reached out to you first. Julian wanted me to just grab you and, well…” He uses his thumb to mimic slitting his throat. “But you’re an Anthropology major. It means you’ve got a good understanding of humans, doesn’t it?”

“In a sense, yes.”

“I figured you’d have a good understanding of me, too.”

I lean forward and look him right in the eyes. Here goes nothing. “I actually have a crystal clear understanding of you, Jake. And I think I might be able to reach you, after all.”

“Oh?” He seems intrigued.

“You have feelings for Laura.”

“Don’t go there again, or I’ll—”

“Just hear me out,” I say. “I mean no disrespect, nor do I wish to make you feel uncomfortable. But you want me to be honest, don’t you?”

He thinks about it for a second, then nods once.

“You have feelings for Laura,” I continue, “and you know it’s a little inappropriate considering her age. The difference between you two isn’t astronomical, but until she’s eighteen, you have to be careful. Right?”

“Right.”

“I can see why you’re into her. She’s incredibly clever and highly educated. She’s smart as a whip, actually, and would probably get to the White House before Julian.”

It makes him chuckle. “Yeah. I can see her there.”

“Where would you be in that scenario, Jake? Married to her? The First Gentleman of the United States of America?” I ask, but he shakes his head, darkness taking over his features.

“Never. I’m the rotten fruit, Madison. I can never be with Laura like that. But I can make sure she has everything she needs. That she’s safe.”

“Will she ever be safe with Julian in her life, though?” I reply.

He gives me a scowl.

“Come on, surely, you’ve thought about it, Jake.

You said it yourself. Julian doesn’t want Laura handling his businesses.

What makes you think he’ll want her as a political rival?

Let’s be honest here, the only reason neither Laura nor Rhue are dead and buried right now is because of their blood ties to Julian.

He had no qualms killing Roxanne, did he? ”

“No.”

“Because she… oh, god, because she’d already done her duty. She gave him two children. Helped build his reputation. She’d become an inconvenience. Jake, she confronted Julian about what he did to me, didn’t she?”

“Yes. And Sibel.”

“Julian raped Sibel, too?”

“He’s done this to at least a dozen women that I know of. Three, I’ve had to dispose of myself. The others, he paid off. Well, except you, I guess.”

“Because I got as far away from him as I could. Because I wanted nothing to do with him. No one knew what he did to me except Roxanne, and he killed her for it.”

Jake nods again. “Yes. I’m sorry, Madison. He does whatever it takes.”

“Will you do whatever it takes for Laura? Or is your loyalty blindly tethered to her father?”

For a moment, I imagine he’ll jump from the sofa and over the coffee table and snap my neck like a chicken.

But he doesn’t. He just stares at me for what feels like forever.

Outside, the evening begins to set, marking another hour gone, another hour that brings me closer to my death. I can’t have it end here.

“I will burn this entire planet down for Laura,” Jake finally says.

That’s good.

I can work with that.