Page 85 of The Fallen Ones

At least he wasn’t terribly pissed off. I knew the Brandon thing was bothering him though. It was bothering Damien too, clearly. It was fucking our shit up.

“Plan?” Damien asked, looking over at me as he put his phone away.

“Make her want the Fallen Ones even more. It’s all we can do at this point. I’ll try to talk to her, but I can’t guarantee shit,” I said.

Damien nodded. “Seems like a solid plan.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “Nice hit though. Fucking stellar. I was really hoping you’d have broken his neck though. The only reasons I stopped you were because you don’t need your fighting getting out and ruining shit for your career before it happens and messing things up with Lily.”

“You’re looking out for me?” I studied him, both confused and intrigued by his words.

He nodded. “Guess I am. Brother.”

I let out a soft huff of laughter. “It wasn’t my fault, you know. What happened with our parents.”

The small smile he wore slipped off his face.

“It ruined my fucking life, Jace. It ruined Lily’s life. Her mom died.”

“I know,” I said weakly. “But it wasn’t my fault. I never wanted any of that. I was hurt too. My life was ruined right along with yours and hers.”

He stared me down for a moment before he nodded stiffly. “She’s my whole world, Jace. I love her. I always have. Losing my family did something to me. To all of us. But I’m not going to back down now. I want her back, and I’ll do whatever I have to in order to get her.”

“Me too,” I murmured.

He gave me a curt nod. “She deserves to know the truth on all things. Us. Our families. All of it.”

“I know.”

“When it comes time, we tell her,” he continued. “We have to.”

“OK,” I agreed, hating it but knowing he was right.

He seemed satisfied with my answer because he walked toward the door after finishing his joint.

“Hey, Jace?” he called out as he pulled the door open and looked back at me.

“Yeah?”

“I really was her first kiss.” And with those words he walked out, leaving me to stare after him.

I let out a soft laugh.

Of-fucking-course he was.

Chapter 34

Damien

Isat in the library Friday evening, knowing damn well Brandon was taking Lily out tonight. I also knew she had a paper due and would be doing research in the library after classes ended before she left on her date.

I waited in a dark corner no one ever went, my gear held tightly in my hand. Waiting for over two hours was fucking with me, but I knew it would be worth it in the end.

The moment I saw her, I nearly pounced. The library had emptied out long ago. She was wearing a pretty little pink sundress today, showcasing her long legs. I liked she’d added more colors into her wardrobe. I’d been dreaming about her wrapping her legs around me all damn week. Ever since I’d seen Caleb rail into her, all I wanted to do was get my chance.

Now was that time.

She turned to come toward me, and I slipped behind a bookshelf, watching as she browsed through dusty old books.

She bent down to pull one out, and I followed her on the other side of the bookcase all the way to the end, my mask and beanie in place.

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