Page 78 of The Silencer

“I won’t let anyone or anything hurt you or those you care about. I promise.”

My eyes start to sting, my vision slightly wavy.

“Thank you.”

He nods and his hands leave my shoulders, falling to his sides. I see his fists clench and I fight the urge to push myself into him, right into that strong chest. This infatuation is getting out of hand.

Maybe I’ll give Teddy a hug when I see him. He seems like he could use one.

Yeah, that’s what I’ll do.

“Why don’t we invite them over?”

My eyes widen, and I shake my head. “That would be a terrible idea. My mother is a meddler.”

Anthony’s eyes sparkle. “Is that so?”

“Yes, you don’t want her here. I promise.”

He runs a hand across his face. “I think we should extend the invite, especially because you won’t be attending your graduation.”

“Is that so?” I’m not even mad about it. I don’t want to put anyone at risk because I’m being stubborn about attending a graduation ceremony.

His lips twitch at the bite in my voice. “I’ll contact them and let them know, and I’ll have Connie make up a room for them for a few weeks from now.”

“Anthony Costello, I will murder you.”

He moves toward me, his hand cupping the front of my neck gently. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

My pulse kicks up, and I hold in a moan. Suddenly, his hand is gone and his lip curls up at the corner. “I have business to attend to, but I look forward to meeting your parents.”

Well, fuck.

12

TATUM

“Oh, your parents are coming to visit?” Angel asks, glancing down at his phone, his cheeks flushed.

“Yes, unfortunately. Your dad wants to meet them.” I take a step closer to my friend, and he hides his phone behind his back.

“Who are you talking to?” I ask, and he shakes his head, his cheeks darkening.

“No one.”

“Angel, seriously. You’re blushing big time. It’s not no one.”

“I am not. I just got some sun.” Even as he says it, his cheeks turn an even darker shade and it bleeds down his neck.

“Sure,” I drawl and then whisper, “I wanna know what you’re hiding.”

“I can’t,” he replies, his eyes pleading. “I can’t. It’s a secret.” He glances around and lowers his voice even more. “I don’t want my dad to know. I promised not to tell…”

“Oh my god. Is this dangerous? Does it have anything to do with Bane?”

His head reels back, and he lets out a startled laugh. “No! It’s not that. I promise. It’s perfectly safe.”

I arch an eyebrow and he shakes his head, biting down on his bottom lip.

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