Page 56 of Savage Vicious Heir: Part Two

“Oh no, I wouldn’t expect you to do that. To be honest,” I say, shrinking under their rapt attention. “After everything that’s happened, I’m not sure I’m ready for university in a few months.”

“But what will you do?”

I shrug, turning my attention to the food on my plate. “I’m not sure.”

I thought not having a plan would scare me. But there’s something oddly liberating in it.

Maybe I’ll take a year out and do some voluntary work. Maybe I’ll travel and see the world. Or maybe I’ll stay in Saints Cross and work on myself. On healing.

“There’s time,” she says, as if I’ll change my mind.

But if this year has taught me anything, it’s that plans can change in an instant.

“Well, I’ll still be here next year. So if you decide to retake any classes you won’t be alone.” Raine gives me a reassuring smile.

“And Millie will be around,” Theo adds, slinging his arm around her. “My girls will look out for you.”

“I…” It’s on the tip of my tongue to argue. To tell them all they don’t need to coddle me. But Elliot’s hand squeezes my knee gently and my gaze flashes to his.

‘They care,’ he mouths, and those two words crack something inside me.

“Thanks,” I murmur, forcing myself to look away from him and at Theo and Raine. They give me a knowing smile that does little to settle the nerves coursing through me.

I was so certain that I couldn’t be here, that I couldn’t be a part of their tight knit circle if things didn’t work out with Elliot.

Maybe I can.

Elliot though, he’s a different entity all together, and I’m not sure where we stand.

Or what I even want from him anymore.

But one thing’s for certain…

I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to escape him.

“How are you feeling?” Raine asks me as we watch the boys deep in an Xbox tournament.

“I’m okay, I guess.”

“It’s okay if you’re not, too. You know that, right?”

I shrug. Because telling her—or any of the girls for that matter—the truth about just how not okay things are isn’t on the cards.

“He cares about you a lot,” she adds, tipping her head towards where Elliot sits on a black bean bag, his expression a mask, predatory and hyper-focused.

“It’s not that simple.”

“No, I guess it never is with these Heir boys.”

“Theo doesn’t talk much about Elliot’s family, but it’s obvious he’s under a lot of pressure.”

“Yeah,” I murmur. “His older brother Scott is… not a nice person.”

“So I’ve heard.” Her lips twist with disgust. “You know, Theo’s dad didn’t approve of me either.”

“Theo’s dad murdered his mom.” I deadpan.

“These families aren’t normal. And honestly, sometimes I wonder if I should have run and never looked back…” She looks over at Theo and something softens in her gaze. “But he’s worth it, Abi. It’s all worth it.”

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