Page 48 of Obsessions of the Heart

Not two seconds later, two messages followed.

Cin: Did you get home okay?

Cin: What did you eat for breakfast?

“Who is that?” Ravi asked, and when I looked up, three sets of eyes had laser focused on my phone.

My hands gripped the phone, and I heaved out a weighted sigh. “Cin. She’s checking up.”

Rion fingers flew over his phone, clicking away until his calm, almost bored voice told me, “I hacked into your dorm surveillance this morning and made it look like you went into the building at seven PM.”

My mouth fell open, fascinated by how smart Rion was. Meanwhile, Ravi’s arms violently crossed as he growled, “Who does she think she is? You're an adult. In fact, you're older than her. Why does she—”

Raising my hand, I stopped him, giving him a wry smile. “While I appreciate you backing me up, she has a good excuse for being a little overprotective.” When I felt those laser eyes on me, I put my tongue in my cheek before I mumbled, “I might’ve gotten drugged at the Alpha Sigma Xi house, and she was really upset about it, thinking it was her fault.”

Not wanting to see their faces, I kept my head down and texted her that I was fine and had barely enough time to get coffee in me. She sent me back emojis—sleepy face, knife, skull, and another sleepy face. What the fuck was she trying to tell me?

Roux’s low, rough voice asked softly, like he was trying not to overstep, “Are you okay? Do you want us to find out who did it?”

Finally looking up, I shook my head, giving him a humorless smile. “No. I got home okay, though I don't know how.” Ravi looked up at Roux for a second before turning back to me. “But the evidence tells me nothing much happened.” A mild pain began to work its way from the back of my head to the front. “I have this feeling it could’ve been way worse, but I somehow got out of the house in time.”

When I woke up, I’d been scared that something horrible had happened to me. I’d built up such high shields, making sure to be the responsible, safe girl, and it all came crashing down the one night I eased up on those constraints. I didn’t really blame Cin, but more myself for being so gullible, for being an easy target.

I didn't feel that way around these boys.

Surprisingly, I’d felt more safe and cared for in the past two weeks than most of my life. Ravi’s constant interest in all aspects of my life, Roux always in the background, watching over me, even in their own house. Rion and his gadgets, his mind… his body that had kept me safe and warm all night, like a watchful dark knight. All of it helped me brave the darkness in my mind because they were here for me.

While the incident still bothered me, it didn't consume my thoughts like it used to. My brain was now filled with these men. It was their special gift to me. Only to me.

A surge of something dark and disturbing filled me, like an animal ready to fight over a piece of meat. I had this riveting urge to lay claim to these men, to mark them and tie them to me so they couldn't leave me again. My hands clenched the mug so hard I thought it was going to break. Calm down, Layrin. I took a few breaths, fear of myself overshadowing this new emotion, then shook my head, needing a physical outlet to rid myself of these possessive thoughts.

“Rin?”

I tilted my head toward Roux, whose eyes were focused on me, making me gulp, before I put on a smile and laughed. “Since I’ve been seeing you guys more, I feel like others have been giving me a wide berth. Between Cin, Elio, and you three, it looks like most everyone else doesn't want to attract your ire.”

Ravi laughed. “Well, good. I’m glad no one else is bothering you, but if anyone does, I want you to let us know.” For the first time, a flash of heat filled his eyes, and his fingertips were white around his mug. He saw where I was looking and yanked his hand away, giving me an awkward smile.

“Are you doing anything today?” Rion asked, eyeing his brother before leveling that assessing gaze on me. I was thankful to him for the change of subject.

I shook my head, tucking my flyaway hair behind my ear. “Nope. I don't have anything planned.” I could see the words forming on his lips, so I beat him to it. “And no, Cin won’t be back in the dorm during the day. She said her flight lands at eight PM.”

They did the triplet thing again, making plans with just the widening of their eyes. I knew it had to do with Cin, but I didn't know if it was Ricci business or specifically my overprotective friend. I had a feeling they would get quiet if I asked, and I didn’t want that, so I kept it to myself.

Ravi bowed his head, hands clasped together like he was praying. “I have to pick something up, and I think it could use a girl's touch. Will you come with me?” He tilted his bowed head slightly, adding with a mischievous grin, “I’ll get you those chocolate croissants you like for breakfast…” His eyes snagged on my coffee. “And another coffee. What do you say?”

I pinched my mouth and tapped my chin, my eyes raised to the ceiling. Realizing I let my curiosity sidetrack me from snagging Rion's boxes, I knew I needed to get some underwear since I was currently going without. He added a bonus without me saying a word. “I’ll also get you those cookies you like from the cookie stand.”

That broke me. I stuck out my hand, smiling as I said, “Deal.”

He grabbed my hand like he was going to shake it, then yanked my arm so I fell into his lap. His smile waned as his finger ran down the side of my face. His eyes grew distant as he cupped my chin, leaning down to mumble, “Fool. I would’ve given you much, much more if you just said it.” I couldn't move, couldn't look away from this face I had never seen on Ravi.

Someone cleared their throat, and the spell was broken. Ravi giggled before we snapped back to our seats. Rion was smirking again beneath his cup. What the hell did that mean? Did he not care if his brother and I flirted right in front of him? Roux was looking off to the side, no glare, pinched brows, or weird look on his face. Both of them seemed perfectly fine, like this was normal.

Ravi popped out of his chair, stealing my mug from my hands and putting it in front of Rion. He grabbed my empty hand and pulled me up. “Chop chop. We have a lot to do and so little time.”

He grabbed my shoulders and turned me around, but I peeked back at the two brothers sitting at the table drinking from their mugs. I opened my mouth to ask them if they wanted to come but lost my train of thought when Rion’s teeth came on display. He winked at me, and I felt a flush come over my body. Well, I guessed he had no intention of coming with us.

When I switched back to watching Ravi, he was putting on a black ball cap and face mask before snagging the keys off the key holders. I had to admit he looked good in his mystery man outfit. Made me think about videos I’d seen on social media of shirtless masked men telling the viewer to run even though they’d always find them. The videos had been funny and a little weird at the time, but now, after seeing a covered-up Ravi, I could understand the appeal.

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