“Can we go now?” I ask.
He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “Fine. Let’s go.”
“You’re coming with us?”
“You aren’t leaving without me.”
“Okay, boss.” I stand and stretch, my muscles sore. Who knew running for your life would make you so tired?
“You should probably grab some clothes too,” Declan tells June. “Unless you want to stay in that dress?”
Her lips thin. “No, I’m ready to get out of this.”
He jerks his head toward the door. “Come on.”
Declan takes the lead, and I bring up the rear. When he reaches for her hand, she lets him. I’m not sure what to think about the contact, especially when June shoots me a furtive glance and blushes. In the end, my opinion doesn’t matter. I have my own problems to deal with.
I sigh. June’s still the same, and yet, so different around Declan. Maybe she’s right about him being her ex, and things aren’t weird between them. Wish I could say the same about me and Xavier. I have no idea what the fuck is going on, other than he thinks I belong to him.
“Where is everyone?” I ask as we descend the grand staircase. The empty foyer greets us with silence.
“Classes,” Declan says.
I scrunch my face. “But the university doesn’t have any scheduled on Saturdays.”
“These classes have nothing to do with the university.”
“Then what are they?”
“That’s privileged information, bride.”
He doesn’t provide any additional details, and I refrain from probing further. It’s not like he’d tell me anyway.
Once we’re outside, my spirits lift. The sun is shining, and the temperature is pleasant. It almost makes me forget what a shitshow my life has become. Almost.
“So, back to X,” June says. “Tell me what you’re going to say to Raven. And make it good.”
I groan. “Why?”
“Because she knows you. You need something that’ll make her understand why you aren’t returning her calls. Or text messages. Or emails. She’s probably lost her shit, you know?”
“Fine.” I blow out a breath. “What the hell am I supposed to say?”
“I’d start by telling her that you hooked up with the guy, and he has a huge dick.”
“Oh my God.”
Declan snorts, and June smacks his chest. He looks down at her and lifts a brow. When she narrows her eyes, his smirk widens.
“I hate both of you,” I say. They ignore me and I roll my eyes, walking faster to keep up, settling next to June. “Any other suggestions that have nothing to do with size, girth, or dicks in general?”
June hums and taps her chin. “Well, I’d also say something about getting lost in the moment, and maybe a few references to his tongue.”
I choke and sputter, unable to form words. Images of Xavier’s face between my thighs fills my mind. His hands on me, his mouth, his words, the way his eyes held mine as he told me to come. My body’s reaction is instant. Heat rises, painting my skin in a flush, desire thrumming through my veins.
“Well, well, well,” June says.
I blink, focusing on her. “Well, what?”
“Huge dick or not, X has gotten under your skirt.” She tilts her head. “And definitely under your skin.”
“What? No. What?”
“I was watching you just now. You looked like you were a thousand miles away. A girl doesn’t get that expression on her face unless a guy is doing it for her. Big time.” June shakes her head at me. “Looks like you have your story ready to go. I can’t wait to hear it.”
I glare at her. “What are you planning on telling her?”
“About Declan and me?” She shrugs. “Nothing.”
“Why not?
“There’s nothing to say. Besides, I’m not sure how to describe our relationship. Or whatever the fuck is happening.” She bites her lip and looks at the recruit. He shakes his head, and she scowls at him.
“June,” he warns.
“Whatever.” She shrugs and looks at me. “I’m going to tell Raven that Declan and I are back together. It’s the simplest explanation, and it’s closest to the truth. The best lies are.”
Somehow, I don’t think I’ll be lying when I tell my roommate about Xavier and how much I enjoyed what he did to me.
“You fucking slut!”
Raven’s shriek has my ears ringing. She grabs me for a hug and squeezes me until I’m gasping for breath.
“Guilty,” I wheeze.
“I was worried about you,” she says, finally letting go. “When you didn’t come home last night and didn’t respond to my calls or texts—”
“Or emails,” June supplies with a grin.
Raven nods. “Or emails, I thought something had happened to you.”
“X happened to her,” June says.
She waggles her brows, and I glare at her. It lacks any heat. Because it’s all in my cheeks. Talking about Xavier and I in bed, even briefly, has caused permanent damage to my skin.
Raven’s eyebrows shoot up. “How are you going to sit there and act like you’re not breaking girl code by getting back with Declan? I thought you hated him?”
“Hate-fucking is the best.” June shrugs. “Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.”
“And how many times did he fuck you before you forgave him for being a dick?” Raven asks.
“Apparently, a lot,” I mutter.
“Hey!”
“Where’s the lie?” Raven throws up her hands. “You ran off to do something for a class and came back the next morning with a story about getting back together. Yeah, okay.”
“Whatever,” June says. “After I shower and change, do you want to come with us to get coffee?”
“Or alcohol,” I mutter.
Raven purses her lips. “Only if we go to Brewed Awakenings. I need the good shit.”
“The kind that might stop your heart?” I ask.
“Bingo.”
Chapter 38XAVIER
Leaving Delilah with another man, even one I trust, is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. If defying the Order’s summons wouldn’t put our lives in danger, I’d do it. But I can’t risk my little raptor.
No matter how much it pains me to leave her.
I briefly run my fingers over the scar she gave me, as well as the tattoo I commissioned shortly after meeting her. It doesn’t soothe me as much as touching Delilah, but this is a part of me that’s dedicated to her. And only her.
After exiting the castle, I make my way to the garage. That’s an understatement, but simple words often are. The place is more than a garage; it’s a shrine to automotive excellence, guarded by the latest security tech. Around me, the air buzzes with the potential of each machine, their gleaming exteriors promising adrenaline and escape. It’s a clear reminder of the Order’s wealth and power.
I take a set of keys from a hook and climb into a Range Rover, tossing my bag onto the passenger’s seat. The interior’s scent is fresh and the leather clean, everything in order, unlike the chaos brewing within me. As I settle behind the wheel, I can’t stop my thoughts from drifting back to Delilah, to the look on her face when I kissed her goodbye.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she didn’t want me to leave. And not just to keep her safe.
I push that notion aside and pull the summons from my pocket. The paper is neatly folded, the black color representative of the crow I will become after the Trials.
Then the next step in my plan begins.