His Trouble Maker

JESSICA

This is not happening.

No.

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They’ve got it all wrong.

“Pierce!” I shouted, grabbing the metal prison until my knuckles turned white. The cold iron bit into my palms, but I barely felt it. All I could focus on was the retreating figure down the dimly lit corridor. “What is happening? What am I here?!”

|

“Pierce!” My voice cracks. “Please-”

He disappears around the corner.

Fuck.

Riot tricked me.

I look around the cell and I’ve realized they put me inside the dungeon where…traitors are being held. Our village got a special place for enemies or those who helped our enemies.

I shove my hands through my hair, dragging hard at the roots. My nails scrape my scalp, sharp enough to sting. Think. Think. There has to be a way out of

this.

Why would they put me here?

Where is Grayson?

I brace against the stone wall, gulping air like I can force the panic down. After a few minutes, I hear boots. Heavy. Fast. Getting closer.

Pierce is coming back.

I shove myself to the bars again, breath tearing in and out of me, heartbeat slamming against my ribs like it’s trying to break free. My hands ache, rave from gripping the iron, but I don’t care. I grab the bars again, clinging like they’re the only thing holding me up.

When he turns the corner, I see the way his face is carved tight, his jaw clenched so hard I can see the muscles shaking. He’s angry. Or scared. Or both.

I can’t breathe.

“Pierce,” I gasp. “What is going on? Why–why am I in here? What did they tell you?”

My voice breaks, but I can’t stop. “I didn’t do anything.”

Say something. Look at me. Just look at me.

are locked somewhere near the floor. He

my cell. His throat works, his chest rising and

my fingers tightening or the bars until they burn “Please tell

out a long

“They found Grayson’s clothes.”

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Sat, 23 Aug

Chapter 89

My stomach lurches. “What?”

His voice is hoarse, breaking

back like I can physically

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in. I laugh, but it’s empty, frantic, cracked right down the middle. “Seriously. What the hell is this? You can’t say shit like that, you-” My heart is beating so fast I think

voice shudders. “You’re lying. Tell me

into fists at his sides. “I’m not,” he cuts in, voice sharp, voice

Grayson doesn’t–Grayson doesn’t lose. He doesn’t die. That’s not–he’s not-” My hands tear through my hair, gripping at the

my words collapsing. “You wouldn’t lie to

working like he’s trying to swallow words too heavy to say. Finally, his voice rips out, rough

blurt, clinging to it like it’s

at the fury blazing across his face. “You’re sitting in a prison cell,

I’m worried about him! He’s not–he’s not dead! He can’t

hair, pacing like he might come apart right in front of me. “You’re not listening!

me up. Cold settles

voice rising. “They found your messages. To Theo. You think I can explain that? You think I can stand up there and tell them you’ve been sneaking around

my breath catching. “That’s not–no, that’s not what that was. I wasn’t–I

because I did send

give a shit what you were trying to do. You broke the law. You made contact with him. You disappeared right before Grayson

like he’s choking on the next part. “Now they think

My voice shatters. “I would never I would

it’s not just me who needs to believe

It’s the whole pack.

against the bars, rattling them so

your execution, Jess. You’re not getting a trial. You’re not getting a second chance. They want you dead for

Execution.

going to kill

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Chapter 89

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