Page 25 of Brightness

“Seriously, you need to look in the mirror.”

His dorky smirk lights up his face, then he heads for the adjoining bathroom while I sip on my juice, waiting for his reaction.

“Jesus. Fucking. Christ! It’s like a bunch of paint cans exploded over my face.”

I erupt in laughter again, falling back on the bed. “Told you so!”

“That little shit! Good thing I like her.”

I laugh as I hear the faucet turn on.

“I’m gonna call Void!” I yell out to Dash as I pick up my cell, dialing the number.

It’s already ringing when Dash calls back, “Tell him I’m looking gorgeous for you tonight!”

“What the fuck?” Void grunts down the line.

I chuckle. “There was this whole thing with Dash and Mia… yeah, I’ll tell you about it later. I just wanted to check in and tell you I’m okay.”

Void lets out a relieved sigh. “I was so fucking worried, sweet thing. Is Tony treating you okay?”

A genuine smile lights my face. “Yeah. They’re really hospitable. And the donation wasn’t that bad at all.”

“And the room is fucking epic, man,” Dash calls out, rubbing a towel over his hair as he walks in.

Void is quiet for a pass as I relax back. “Void, you there?”

“Are you and Dash sharing a room?”

My muscles tense. “I mean… kind of. It’s the same space, but his bed is in a different section—”

“But he’s in there… with you… while you’ll be sleeping?”

“Void, you sent him here to protect me. How can he do that if he’s in a different room?”

Dash quietly walks over to his side, giving me some space.

Void grunts down the line, letting out a loud, annoyed huff. “I’m glad you’re okay. I gotta go—”

“Void!”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” And with those few parting words, he ends the call.

Closing my eyes, I sigh, then slowly place the cell on the bed next to me. I wish Void were here with me so he could see there’s absolutely nothing for him to worry about. His fears are not warranted.

My one simple wish is that he would trust me.

Chapter Seven

VOID

Listen to him, prancing around like he’s king fucking dick. I should have never let that fucker go with her! The idea that he’s spending the night with Ivy, fantasizing about her while she’s practically sleeping beside him, eats at my very fucking core. She can’t see that he’s in deep, but I know lust when I see it, and the prospect is all about getting into Ivy’s panties.

If the fucker makes a move while I’m not there, so help me fucking God, the outcome won’t be pretty.

My muscles tense, and heat washes over me as I pick up the nearest thing and hurl it across the room. The short glass narrowly misses Nycto, smashing on the floor by the pool table. Shards burst all over the concrete by his feet.

Nycto’s eyes widen, and he glares at me.

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