Page 96 of Tormented Kings

“He wants to date Sadie. Out in the open, dumb-ass,” I mutter, earning the finger from Grayson and a bored look.

“What I’m asking is... if you two would be alright with me making things official with Sadie... to the public.” Them two...because I don’t count in this situation. I know it’s my own doing, but I can’t help feeling hurt. I don’t deserve to feel hurt. “I want to be more open about my relationship with Sadie. She doesn’t deserve to be sneaking around all the time. She’s been having a hard time dealing with how things have been in our relationship. She can’t kiss us when she wants to or hold our hands. She’s always worried if she‘s too close or if people are going to start talking. She should be shown off, not hidden away. It would be just for now. Until you two are able to be with her openly, too. I promise not to go overboard with things. I won’t be all over her and will be mindful, so no one feels jealous or left out.”

Grayson and Collin take a moment to think. They look at one another, raising a brow before nodding. “As much as we wish we could be with Sadie the way she deserves, it’s not possible. I think having at least one of us being a proper boyfriend to her is the least she deserves. So, I’m good with it.”

“Me too,” Grayson agrees. “I mean, not much is going to change. I’m still going to flirt with her, even if she is your girl.” Grayson grins.

The smile that spreads on Declan’s lips could be criminal. “Really?” he asks, his voice filling with excitement. It’s so damn cute. Fuck. How did I not realize I’m a goner for this guy?

The three of them talk for a little while longer, leaving me out of the conversation.

When he leaves, my eyes follow him, and it takes everything in me not to go after him.

Grayson follows not long after, leaving Collin and I alone together.

“How are you doing?” Collin asks, perching his ass on the edge of my desk.

“Just fucking peachy. You?” I snap.

He chuckles. “I see the asshole is still alive and well.” He sighs, shaking his head. “Wanna tell me why your face looks like it’s in a bruised-banana-look-alike contest?”

“What?” I frown.Is he on drugs?

“Your face. It’s all yellow and brown.” He waves his hand in an up-and-down motion over my face.

“Oh,” I mutter. “No. I don’t want to tell you.”

“Too bad, I already heard about the fight between you and Declan. What I don’t know is what it was about. What the hell did you do that made poor, sweet Declan feel the need to kick your ass? That man is head over heels for you.”

I look around, the feeling of a hand wrapping around my heart and giving it a squeeze, making me grimace.

“Oh shit,” he sighs. “Did you turn him down?”

“I don’t want to fucking talk about it,” I snap, getting to my feet. “Let’s talk about something more important, like the fact that our deranged father is out to get Sadie. And has started using her against me to get what he wants.”

“And you’ve been doing it?” he asks.

“Of course!" I shout in his face. “I don’t want anything bad to happen to Sadie, just as much as you don’t.”

He nods slowly. “Well, hopefully, we’re not going to have to worry about him much longer.”

“How is that going?”

“Had a talk with Rosie. She’s going to talk to her people, put in a word with her mom.”

“The crazy one?” I frown.

“No, the nice one who knows how to hack computers.”

“Huh.”

“Anyways, she’s doing what she can and will let me know what she finds.”

“She needs to work faster,” I grumble, sitting back down.

“Yes, why don’t you tell the crazy little blonde to hurry and see how long you get to keep your dick?” he challenges.

“Whatever.” He doesn’t get it. It’s not just Sadie’s safety we’re worrying about. He has nothing to sacrifice. I have to give up everything. He doesn’t have to be around a woman who repulses him. Or deal with the wrath of the monster we’re trying to get rid of. I do. I always fucking do. Because he’s the lucky one who has a mom who's a saint. How she could ever have been with my father, I don't know. But I’m glad she got out. Not everyone is that lucky. I’m sure if my father had more power in that relationship, things would have ended up completely different.

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