Page 94 of Consume Me

“What are we going to do now?” Abi asks rhetorically.

“Let’s figure out one problem at a time,” Kaden says. “Now, we need to stay together.”

“We’re living with the enemy. As long as we don’t know who the traitor is, it’s irrelevant.”

Abi shrugs. “I could live without my sperm and egg donor. They pushed me to marry Kaden, so they are the most obvious choice in who helped them escape. Cassandra is too diplomatic.”

“Cassandra is exactly what we need. She’s trying to show us a different path,” Kaden says.

“She can’t. Those assholes would eat each other alive to get more power. That has never been our motivation,” Abi replies.

“Do you think I like it? She insists on us having a damn normal college experience when we should be leading the team searching for Felix and Caleb,” I grumble.

“Maybe that’s what we should do—just wait,” Abi says.

“We won’t have to wait much longer,” Kaden says, looking down at his phone. “Cassandra just summoned a crisis meeting tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow,” I say, settling back into my seat.

“Bye, stalker,” Abi taunts.

“I’m not crazier than Dane.”

“If you say so,” she smiles and kisses my cheek.

We’re starting to feel more unified again, but my time is ticking. Whether it’s the Family or the Syndicate that finds him, I will serve whoever eliminates the threat to Mia’s life.

As the morning light filters in, I stand in the living room, watching Blake from behind the window. He’s still in his car, where he stayed all night. I wonder why he can’t sleep. I want to wrap him in my arms, soothe every tortured part of him, and never let him go.

“Is that boy still there?” my father asks.

I offer a small nod. Knowing Blake is so close feeds the side of me that is starved for his attention.

“He’s persistent. But I guess you don’t mind.” He sees right through me.

I feel my cheeks heat, but denying it wouldn’t make it any less true.

“Dad…”

“Invite him in for breakfast,” he says in a gruff voice, unable to stop what’s happening between Blake and me, even ifhe wanted to.

I kiss Dad’s cheek in gratitude and walk outside. Blake cocks his head, watching me approach him. The intensity behind his eyes almost makes me stumble.

He gets out, and we meet halfway.

“Did you have a good night?”

He cocks his head, a frown digging between his brows, but in the next moment, his features soften. “I only have those when I am with you.”

A flutter caresses along my ribcage, making me giddy. Not knowing how to respond, I say, “You must be hungry.”

He rakes his eyes over me, sending a heat wave through my system. “I am. You offering?”

Every particle in my body electrifies, inflaming me––a furnace in the middle of winter. Only he can do that.

My father opens the door, putting a stop to the heated moment, and lets us in.

“Sir.”

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