“Best for who? Me? It wasn’t best for me, but you, you lied so I’d keep spying on Sebastian, see what he had planned for you, but you know what, I don’t care what he’s got planned for you anymore.”

“You don’t care that when he gets out, he might start making bombs or weapons? Selling them, killing people.”

“No, I don’t. All I care about is my sister, and she’s dead. There’s nothing else.”

“What about knowing you’re doing the right thing?”

“Right thing? There’s no right thing.”

“Your career?”

“The one I cheated my way into, and then you used to blackmail me into this prison.”

“This was a good opportunity. I was helping you.”

“No, you weren’t. I thought the hardest thing would be the physical side, being hurt, stabbed, but that was a breeze compared to the emotional side of being here. The constant betrayal, the guilt, the self-loathing, the self-hatred. You know … I haven’t looked in the mirror for weeks. I hate what I see.”

“You’re still in shock. When you’ve had some time to process, you’ll realize it was all worth it. I’ll help you.”

“I didn’t focus on the end result, or whether it was worth it. I thought of Erica, despite whatever goes on in here, whatever I have to do, the bad person I become, she’d always look at me the same. She’d always be there, she wouldn’t judge me for any of this, and like that … she’s gone. I want to see her.”

Hamish bit his lip. “I’m sure we can arrange that, but, Rory, I know you’re hurting, but she would’ve been proud of you, just like your dad would’ve been.”

“I want these cuffs off my wrists.”

Hamish gestured to the guard outside the window, and he came inside the room.

“Can you get these cuffs off him?”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Now, please,” Hamish said firmly.

The guard sighed, then reached for Rory’s hands. As soon as the cuffs were removed, Rory rubbed the skin they’d been pressing on, and marveled at the indents.

“Better?” Hamish asked.

“Not quite.”

Rory sprung over the table, and punched Hamish in the face. He was knocked to the floor and grunted as he clutched his nose. Rory didn’t fight the guard grappling with him, he held up his hands for the cuffs, and allowed himself to be dragged out of the room.

Chapter Seventeen

Rory loved watching horror movies as a kid. He loved bragging at school about seeing the latest one. They thought he wasn’t scared, had nerves of steel. The boys were impressed and the girls thought he was brave.