Page 91 of The Fallen Ones

Caleb: Well, go soak. We’ll talk later. Night, Lil bit.

Lily: Night, Caleb.

I darkened my screen and went to the bathroom to run my bath, my mind racing on so many damn things, but only one thing really stuck.

The prospect of the third masked man finding me and putting me through my paces.

Yeah. I’d definitely lost my mind.

Chapter 36

Jace

Music vibrated off the walls as I stood in the doorway of Cameron’s house. The party was in full swing. I knew Lily would be here…somewhere. I just hoped it wasn’t too late and she wasn’t already locked in a bedroom with Brandon. I wasn’t above banging on every door until I found her, tact be damned.

Caleb told me all about her date with Brandon. It left me reeling with anger. I wanted to break his neck this time. I wasn’t sure how I’d react if I saw them together.

I swerved a bunch of girls as they made a beeline for me and headed into the kitchen to grab another drink before slipping into a quiet corner of the living room.

I didn’t need attention tonight.

Tonight was about making sure Lily was safe, and making sure she had a good time.

From across the room I finally spotted her. She looked as beautiful as ever. Her little frame squeezed through the crowds. The bottom of her black dress snagged on a table. I watched as she tried to untangle herself, only for Brandon to appear and save her.

Fucking prick.

I knew he’d be here sniffing around Lily. Guys like him didn’t give up. And girls like Lily were too innocent, too trusting, too sweet to see through his Prince Charming bullshit.

“Jace, how’s it going man?” Dylan threw an arm around my shoulder, and in doing so, pulled my focus away from Lily.

“Yeah, good. I’m good,” I answered quickly and scanned the room to find Lily again, but it was too late— she’d disappeared into the crowd with Brandon.

Fuck.

“I hear the scouts have been checking you out,” he said with a nod of approval.

“Yeah. Yeah, I guess. It’s not a big deal.”

“It is a big deal. I’m surprised you’re here tonight. Figured you’d be spending as much time in the gym as possible.”

Football conversation wasn’t my priority right now, and in all honesty, he was starting to annoy me.

“I’m allowed time to myself,” I shot back.

“Yeah man, I know. I just meant… it’s the pros.” Dylan offered a smile and patted my shoulder.

“Sorry. I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”

“Lily?” Dylan asked. He knew how much I cared for her. He had to. I wasn’t exactly quiet about it after the fight with Brandon.

“Always,” I muttered, deciding we needed a change of topic. “How about you? What’s going on?”

“I was going to ask for that favor you owe me. The key to your lake house. Can I use it for a couple weeks?”

“Yeah man. Sure.” I dragged my keyring from my pocket and took the cabin key off and handed it to him. Dylan had come through with the Rapture room and deserved to be rewarded. “Here. It’s yours until Christmas.”

“Nice one, Adams.”

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