Page 128 of Lock Up the Darkness

It was good to be back walking the halls of Hexwood U.

Going to classes, focusing on my studies.

Regaining some sense of normalcy.

Even if it was just a temporary, short-lived escape from all the rest.

Especially seeing as though staying at Hexwood House with the guys had become permanent for the foreseeable future.

With those recordings, Asher hadn’t had to employ much convincing to get me to agree to extending my protective stay under their roof. And then with this takedown plan now well on the way, there was no way in hell that I was going anywhere. I needed to be front and center on this thing and I wouldn’t accept it any other way, something the guys had been made well aware of, and they’d actually accepted. After all their tests, they respected me. Well, with what had happened between the four of us that infamous night, it was a bit more than that, it ran a whole lot deeper. There was a certain obsession there now and, dare I say it, care. A few months ago, I never would’ve even imagined it coming anywhere close to that. But a lot had happened and now they actually cared about me. And, as fucked-up as it was, it was mutual.

It was why when Jonah had injected Asher last night to make him sick as a dog, I hadn’t just hated it because it was extreme and messed-up, I’d hated it because it was hurting him. He’d already been exhibiting severe flu symptoms this morning. Because Jonah knew what the particular strain was that had been used, the rest of us had been able to be vaccinated against contracting it from him. With his sheer strength of will, despite how sick he’d been, Asher had been up and about and in his office at the crack of dawn working on deciphering the codes.

Jeez.

I caught another discreet look my way from a couple of students passing by. They zeroed in on the bloodied marks all over my chest, the red-raw hickeys covering my throat. Marks of possession. That was what Asher had termed them. To the outside world, though, they were seen as much more debasing than that. They signified that I was the plaything of Asher Monroe and Jonah Keller. Their fuck slut as Jonah had called it yet again last night until Killian had smashed his fist into his face when he’d heard the slipup.

The way things had started with us, I really hadn’t seen a time coming where he’d actively defend my honor. Speaking of those twisted first encounters, I still had to keep the scratches of Bend or Break across my car, to fit with the whole being their plaything act. To say it had drawn looks this morning didn’t really cover it. Killian had been grinning about it—the bastard. In a sick way, it put him at ease that he knew it was his claim on me—not Jonah and Asher’s as they’d made the public believe. It helped to ease his frustration that he had to keep away from me in public. Worse, he couldn’t openly acknowledge me in any favorable way.

As I made the turn into the lecture hall for my Leadership and Teamwork class, I felt him before I saw him.

I looked up discreetly as students shuffled by me picking their seats, others setting their laptops on the moveable tables and preparing for class. He was in the far back corner this time, away from his fan club. A bunch of girls and guys were twisting in their seats throwing longing and pouting looks his way. He waved them off and focused on his laptop screen and they dejectedly started getting ready for class.

I took my normal seat in the same row but over in the opposite corner.

As I settled myself and fired up my laptop I hid a smile as I felt his eyes on me.

I pulled out my phone and sent a text.

Aurora: How did you extricate yourself from your fan club?

Killian: Remember that big game I told you about?

The one Asher said was imperative that Killian brought it on, because it would be right in the sights of Samuel Carmichael. He’d set up scouts to attend. Apparently, it wasn’t the time for that, but the bastard was so powerful, he’d made it happen.

Aurora: Of course. The game against your rival college team from your old home city. The Torvin Generals.

Killian: Right, well, I need my focus. Can’t be distracted, head needs to be clear.

Aurora: Nicely done.

Killian: Feel better now?

I started.

Killian: I know it didn’t sit right with you, them hanging off me. Not since we… consummated things.

Aurora: Consummated? Seriously?

Killian: *joking emoji* I’m trying to bring at least some semblance of chivalry into your life. Somebody has to, the rest is all dirty, rough and painful fucking and violence with heavy threats hanging over your head.

Aurora: *heart emoji*

Killian: I’ll cherish this little heart.

Aurora: You’re gonna have to. That’s the schmaltziest I get.

Killian: I doubt that.

---