Page 49 of Tainted Saints

Shuddering an exhale, it takes me a few moments and a sip of fresh orange juice to gather myself enough to be able to eat. Every bite is delicious, and even though I can only manage half, it’s one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Second only to the pasta that Lan made me that night at the Pound.

Before my wayward mind can take me down that path and all that transpired that night, I get up, grabbing Blaine’s jacket from my room before heading to the front door where the car is waiting for me, like it is every night.

“Good morning, Miss Aspen,” Bobby greets as he holds the door open for me.

“Good morning, Bobby,” I return, getting into the back and buckling in as he goes around to the driver’s side.

We drive in easy silence, and I watch the winter scenery pass by the window, a lightness in my heart that I wish could stay with me always. I’m going to take this reprieve, my parents being away, and just have fun like a normal teenager would, leaving all the other shit for when they come back.

Arriving at school I see all three Saints idly waiting by the three motorcycles that I spotted on my first day, and I can’t say that the sight of them dressed in leather and leaning on their bikes doesn’t do things to me that really should be illegal. Their heads all turn in my direction as the car pulls up, and my heart starts beating faster as I grab my bag and Blaine’s jacket off the seat.

Bobby opens the door for me, and exiting the car, I cast a glance around us, noticing that, as it’s still early, there is hardly anyone else here yet. Taking a trembling breath, I walk towards them, my skin tingling the closer I get.What would it feel like to be able to kiss them, touch them without having to worry about it getting back to my father?

Going up to Blaine, I hold out the jacket. “You left this last night after our training session,” I state, just in case anyone does overhear or is watching. He gives me a smouldering smirk, his fingers brushing mine as he takes the jacket and shrugs it on.

“Not feeling too stiff?” he asks, and I can feel my cheeks heating at the insinuation.

“No, a bit sore but not too bad.” Forest’s deep chuckle has my nipples pebbling under my clothes, and the need to be in their arms is almost overwhelming.

Sliding the jacket on, his hands slip into the pockets, and I see the moment when he freezes. Then I watch as he draws out the envelope of cash that Bobby tried to give him at the jail two weeks ago.

“What’s this?” he questions while opening it, and his eyes widen briefly at the quantity of bills in there. His jaw tightens and he looks back up at me with a hint of anger in his brown eyes.

“Please, Blaine,” I rush out quietly, glancing around us. “The Ambassador will be offended if you don’t take it. You’ll be a loose end.” I beg him with my eyes to understand that he has to take the bribe, otherwise they all might be watched, and if my parents find out he was the one in jail with me, he won’t be allowed to train me anymore either.

I watch him grind his jaw, then he gives me a terse nod, relief making my muscles loosen.

“Thank you,” I breathe out, fighting my instinct to go to him, to wrap my arms around him and let myself get lost in his touch. In their touch. “I’ll see you later?”

He gives me a nod, and yet I still can’t make my feet walk away from them. My fingers clench around the strap of my bag, my eyes closing as I let the cold winter breeze brush my face.

Why is it so hard to walk away from them?

“We’ll see you later, Duchess,” Lan’s serious voice has me swallowing hard past a lump in my throat, my eyes opening to find him standing closer. “Now get to class, you don’t want to be late.”

Taking another deep inhale, I nod before spinning around to catch the narrowed blue gaze of Albert, my heart stilling in my chest as he looks beyond me, and then gives a cold, cruel smile that reminds me all too much of the Ambassador.

Shit.

* * *

The rest of the week passes by in a blur of catching up to speed with schoolwork, hanging out with Aofie at lunch, and answering all her questions regarding the Saints—and yep, I’m always bright red by the end of that as she has no shortage of suggestions of how to manage three men. I also have training sessions with Blaine which are the highlight of each day. Each one starts with blinding pleasure, followed by making me sweat as he helps me to tone what little muscle I have, building my strength up.

I don’t spend a single night alone, Forest joining me and making me see stars again until I pass out in his arms. It’s always a shock to wake up alone though, and I do wonder why Lan is keeping his distance. He’s the only one I haven’t had sex with, and I wonder why he’s holding back.

Friday rolls around, and when I get in the car to go home, Bobby eases some of the tension that was building in my shoulders.

“Your parents wanted me to inform you that their trip has been extended and they won’t be back until Monday,” he says as I buckle my seat belt.

I catch his smiling gaze in the rearview mirror, and my lips tug up into a grin of my own.

“Will you take me home to grab something and then to the Pound?” I ask, my heart beating wildly as I take out my phone and open up my messages, selecting the thread I have with Aoife.

“Yes, Miss Aspen,” he says with a nod and smile.

Aspen

Can I say that I’m staying with you this weekend? Xxx

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