Page 108 of Demise

“Is he okay?”

“No,” they answer in unison.

I nod. “Will he be okay?”

They both hesitate before Ronan faces me, shrugging his shoulders with a disappointed head shake. Meanwhile, Asher hasn’t taken his eyes off Liam, like he can’t. Like he’s afraid to. What the fuck happened to my sweet golden retriever boy?

Liam lasts longer at his party than Asher did, a lot longer. We are two hours deep into the party, and he is currently telling an extremely animated story to his father and some of his friends.Asher, Wesley, Ronan, and I so very obviously want to go, but Liam is practically the life of the party. At least, he appears so.

Maggie comes up to me, bumping her shoulder against mine and I smile before turning to watch Liam once more.

“Is he alright?” she asks.

“No,” we all answer.

She nods. “He seems off. A little too happy.”

My eyes clock movement to the right, stunning me speechless. Liam’s mother is practically shoving Maryia towards him, okay not practically, but literally. When they get within a foot or so, she shoves her, hard. She stumbles into Liam’s shoulder, and he turns just in time to catch her, giving her a kind smile and a nod. I see the look on his mother’s face, though. I see the look on her parents’ faces as they hang back a few feet. Their plotting practically leaves an odor.

“Jesus,” Maggie scoffs. “Of course my girlfriend is being arranged to your boyfriend,” she mutters just under her breath.

“You don’t think that’s what’s happening, do you? I mean, you’ve been introduced to a lot of men at parties like these, and you’re not engaged,” I defend.

She chuckles. “Because I’m an insufferable cunt. Intentionally so. Mads…she can’t help but be sweet and charming. It’s who she is; it’s who Liam is. Honestly, from an outsider’s perspective, they are kinda perfect for each other.”

I frown at that, and Maggie bumps my shoulder once more.

“Relax, she’s not into him. She just came all over my tongue in the bathroom before she voluntarily ate my pussy until I saw stars. Trust me, she’s gay as fuck.” Maggie chuckles as she looks at her with equal parts adoration and ravenous hunger.

Her words bring me a little relief before I see Maryia take a step back for comfort, and Liam’s mom shoves her into his chest once more. Liam catches her again but this time, he settles his hand around her waist, holding him to her as he whisperssomething into her ear. She gives him a sweet smile and nods before sinking further into his touch. I like Maryia, I really do. She’s super sweet and seems to be good for Maggie. But, if she doesn’t stop rubbing herself all over my man, we’re gonna have a fucking problem.

“Easy girl,” Wesley teases. “Your claws are showing.”

“No, they aren’t,” I gnash at him, causing his brows to raise.

“C’mon,” Asher says. Let’s go for a walk.”

He holds out his arm for me and though I don’t want to go anywhere, I take it, looping my arm through his as we begin moving through the throngs of people. A new song starts up and dozens of people rush to the dance floor, including Liam and Maryia. My stomach turns, and Asher jerks my arm quickly, forcing me to look away.

My eyes roam around the room, resting on Christopher’s office before I turn to Asher.

“Does your dad keep a journal? Like the one Thomas did?”

Asher frowns. “Thomas? Thomas Putnam?”

I look at him confused. Ronan knew about it. Asher doesn’t?

“Yeah, Ronan told me that he kept a journal. Him and Christopher used to read it when they were kids. It’s supposedly your father’s prized possession.”

I watch as Asher’s face pinches in thought before understanding dawns on him.

“Black, leather? With a Brethren B stamped into the front?”

“Sure?” I nod just in case as we pass the office.

“Yeah, he keeps it tucked away in his desk. Never let me get near the thing, but I always find him reading it pretty much nonstop. Makes more sense now.” He nods.

My mind can’t help but wander. His desk? As in, the desk that is a mere ten feet away? And growing further.

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