Page 88 of Caging Liberty
“Oh.” Silence fills the space, but somehow, it isn’t awkward. This tiny exchange is the most civil we’ve been.
“You’re awfully popular with the psychopaths.” Sawyer pushes off the counter and comes to stand across from me. “I almost feel bad for you.”
“Almost.” I smile with morbid amusement.
More silence.
“How’s April doing?”
My jaw tightens, and I stare down at the granite. I get the immediate urge to correct him on Naomi’s name, but that isn’t what has the blood rushing to my ears.
How fuckingdarehe ask about Naomi.
I’m about to push off the island and walk from the kitchen, but Sawyer’s voice halts me.
“I’m sorry about what happened,” he says, guilt choking his words.
I look up at him but don’t say anything.
“Jasper is…” He runs a hand through his hair and sighs. “Fuck, I don’t even know. I didn’t realize he would go that far.”
My eyes narrow, but the urge to fight Sawyer isn’t as strong as it used to be. “He said she tried to run. Isn’t that punishable by death by your standards?”
And aren’t you the guy who wanted to fuck and kill me simultaneously?
He frowns and doesn’t respond to that. The way he looks at me makes me think I’m missing something. Or that he thinks I’m missing something.
“He lied about it,” I add, just so he’s aware I’m not a moron. And also because I’m not quite convinced he knows the truth. “Nao— ...Apriltold me what happened. The twisted piece of shit tortured her for a week, and when he was done, he cut her loose andtoldher to run. It was a game to him. He only wanted—”
“Thank you, Ivy. I’m aware.”
I close my mouth and squint at him, waiting for him to explain.
Another sigh. Another hand through his hair. “I told you the day you arrived here; some residents have dark tastes. Jasper is one of those residents. I just didn’t… I…” He pauses while searching for words. “I didn’t think he would go that far. I wouldn’t have allowed him to borrow her if I’d known.”
He closes his eyes and shakes his head. “I should’ve listened to Angel.”
My lungs seem to shrink. “What?”
Sawyer’s eyes open, and he studies my face for several moments. I can tell the moment he decides not to respond because he breaks eye contact and stretches his arms, a move people make right before they decide it’s time to leave.
“Angel knew Jasper had April, didn’t he?” I ask, already knowing it’s true. It shrinks my lungs even more, but I’m not surprised. Especially considering he and Jasper are … friends. I guess.
I’m not shocked that Angel would lie to me … but it still hurts.
When Sawyer doesn’t say anything, I lean my head back and roll my neck.
“You and I have shitty taste in friends.”
I open my eyes and glare at him.
He chuckles, but it contains little humor. “I’m not wrong.”
“You’re so much worse than Angel,” I say, unjustified protectiveness flaring.
He smiles, and it’s almost … sad. “You think so?”
“I know so.”