Page 27 of You Belong With Me

Another tray of drinks is coming straight toward us, and I reach out to steal another cup as it passes, but Lucas grabs my arm, preventing me.

“Wyn, go up to my room and lie down. You’ve had enough for tonight.”

I scoff at that, ripping my arm out of his grip, which causes me to stumble back a little. “You can’t tell me what to do,” I bite out.

He takes a menacing step toward me, people moving all around us. “I can, actually, and I will.”

I shove him hard in the chest. He doesn’t even budge, of course. But I can see the annoyance on his face, which is a small win, at least. “Fuck. You.”

“Yo! Yo! Yo!” Gabriel appears from somewhere down the hall. The study, I’m guessing. “Everything okay?” he asks approaching us, his gaze moving quickly from me to Lucas. “What’s goin’ on?”

Gabriel’s presence breaks the tension and Lucas blinks, shaking his head. “I was just telling Wyn that she’s had enough to drink.”

Gabriel looks more closely at me, then slaps his cousin on the shoulder. I notice he’s a little more animated than usual, and there’s a trace of white powder clinging to one of his nostrils. “Good lookin’ out, Cuz, but don’t worry...” He reaches over and pulls me against him, his arm around my waist in an unmistakably possessive move. “I’ll take it from here. Enjoy the party.”

Lucas’ ocean blue gaze shifts to me, and I can see the hesitancy in his eyes. It’s crazy how quickly I’ve learned his little tells. And one thing is super clear about Lucas—he hates beingtold what to do. So when he nods abruptly and moves away, I know his ass is clenching.

As soon as Lucas walks away, Gabriel turns to me. “Where have you been?”

My head is swimming, and my vision is blurred. I blink. “Well, let’s see, I was in the kitchen first,” I say, struggling to remember. “Thennnn…I was with Alexis–”

“Why didn’t you come find me?” he clarifies harshly.

I sway, and he tightens his hold on me, but it feels better when Lucas does it. “Oh, um, I don’t know. I was finishing with the decorating, I guess,” I lie. “Oh and, I got you a cake,” I add, hoping that will distract him.

He narrows his eyes like he doesn’t believe me. “Maybe Lucas is right,” he says, his jaw clenched. “Maybe you do need some rest.”

Before I can even protest, he grabs my hand and pulls me down the hallway, and up the main staircase. I struggle to keep up with his long, clipped strides.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask.

“You’ll see,” is all he says in response, and my stomach sinks…

This can’t be good.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Wyn

Once we’re upstairs,Gabriel pulls me down the long, dark hallway, toward the back of the house. Only the Sacred Sons or invited guests are allowed up here, so even during parties, it’s empty. The pulsing music from downstairs is still audible but dampened by the walls.

“I’m sure Lucas won’t mind if we use his bedroom. Do you?” Gabriel bites out. “You’ve spent so muchfuckingtime there already.”

I suck in a breath. How does he know that? And how does he know where Lucas’ bedroom is? He’s supposed to have amnesia, right? I mean, Gabrieldidfind me in Lucas’ bedroom on the night he miraculously rose from the dead, so maybe that’s what he’s remembering, but…I don’t know. Something isn’t right. Even my inebriated brain realizes he’s not acting like a guy who lost his memory.

When we reach Lucas’ bedroom door, Gabriel pushes it open, and that soapy, musky, minty smell that’s all Lucas rushes at me, and I panic. Whatever Gabriel has planned, I knowfor a fact, it’s not gently tucking me in and letting me “rest.”

He tries to tug me through the door, but I pull against him. “I, um, have something special planned for you, and I really need to be downstairs,” I say.

I don’t have anything planned, actually, but he doesn’t know that. Lightning quick, an idea comes to me. I could light some candles on the cake and lead everyone in a chorus of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” or some bullshit. Gabriel loves being the center of attention. He would eat that up.

He pulls me forcefully over the threshold, then picks me up, and tosses me unceremoniously onto Lucas’ massive bed. I swallow and scramble up into a sitting position, my back pressed against the headboard.

I’ve found myself in thisexactposition far too many times lately. But this time, there’s no excitement flickering in my chest. There’s only dread. My stomach tightens, and my heart beats so fast that I start to feel dizzy.

Up here, no one can hear us, and I doubt Lucas or any of the other guys will wander upstairs anytime soon.

Gabriel walks over to the door, locks it, and then disappears into the closet. My gaze darts to the door. How long would it take me to sprint across the room? It’s ahugeroom and I mentally calculate three to four seconds to get from here to the door—but I’d have to pass the closet, then fumble with the lock…

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