Page 102 of Deceit

“Yeah,” I reply, sounding out of breath and widening my eyes in shock like I’ve never seen these boys go at it a million times before. “Oh my God.”

“Let’s get you away from this.” He doesn’t wait for a reply as he escorts me along the side of the room and into the nearest doorway.

As he opens the oak door, I pray to God that Mills, Marty, or Blue aren’t in here snooping, but he doesn’t react, so I take it as the coast is clear.

Stepping inside, he doesn’t bother turning on the lights as he rounds to face me. “You sure you’re alright?”

“Yes…thank you so much, Mr…”

“Wamkin, but please call me Will. My father is Mr. Wamkin.”

Bingo.

“And you are?”

I notice that he hasn’t let go of my bicep, which to anyone else might not come off as anything at all.

But to me, it hints at a lot of things about him.

That he has no decorum on social distancing and that he prays on the weak. It’s normal to turn on the lights, but it’s fucked up when they’re not on in a room with a stranger.

My personal red flags begin to wave in warning, but since I’m not an ordinary girl, this isn’t something I’m too worried about unless he’s packing a gun.

I didn’t bring one of those with me.

“I’m Amy Grant,” I offer. “Thank you so much for getting me out of there.”

“It’s not a problem. Did you know that man?”

I scoff disgustingly. “Unfortunately. He’s an ex-boyfriend from months ago. Keeps following me around at parties and other gatherings. I have a restraining order against him, but it doesn’t seem to be doing the trick.”

“Sounds like you need protection.”

“Are you signing up? You’re just missing the shiny armor and the sword.”

William chuckles, aligning himself with me. “I mean…I’d love to, actually. I saw you the moment you walked in. This dress you’re wearing is…a showstopper, Miss Grant.”

“Just Amy, and thank you. Though it was hard to slip on.” His fingers flinch at my words, more than likely imagining what I look like with it off.

“I can only imagine,” he mutters gruffly before clearing his throat. “Your friend, Brian, came over to me earlier…said that you were too shy to come and speak to me.”

Thank fuck for the darkness because I roll my eyes. Bishop would make it sound like I was incapable of doing anything on my own.

“Brian has a big mouth,” I transmit through gritted teeth.

“I think it’s charming.”

“You do?” Lies. “Well, who knew we’d meet up like this?”

“Not in a million years, but I consider it something magical. Fate even.”

“Oh, you think so?”

He steps even closer to me, smelling of vodka and cigars. “Yeah. Almost like you were destined to walk into my life tonight.”

More like placed but we’ll go with that.

“I believe in fate.” I take this moment to look up at him, studying what I can from the light coming from the room’s windows to my right.

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