Page 42 of Roses and Skulls

“I’m heading out. Just give me an answer, Draven.”

He leans against the wall, unfazed. “She asked me to keep it a secret. She didn’t want you to know that she had decided to try a new… profession.”

My blood pressure rises but I remain cool. “Funny that upon your arrival, she just decided to try something… new,” I say with a hint of malice in my voice.

He laughs. “At some point all women have an interest in trying something new. I mean, look at you.” He points to me. “I’m sure you never thought you’d be working here, for me. And besides, you’ve kept a few secrets from her too.”

“It’s not the same,” I whisper. “Something had to have happened to make her change her mind.”

Draven walks towards me slowly. “She’s fine.”

I swallow hard and take a step back, shaking my head timidly.

His eyes darken as he closes in on me, forcing me back into the corner.

“Do you really think I would put Lanie in harm’s way?”

I stare at his chest, too scared to look him in the eye.

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly, pretending to be ashamed that I thought the worst of things.

He brushes my hair away from my face. “You need to trust me, Billie Rose.”

“Maybe I could go see her. Where is she staying?” I open my eyes wide and blink my long lashes, trying to look innocent. But I really need a visual confirmation of her wellbeing.

Draven smiles and dips his head. “She’s still angry with you. Give me some time. I explained that I was just trying to help you when she found us in the bathroom. She’ll come around.”

“Is… is that what you were trying to do? Help me?”

He runs his hands down my arms. “I told you. I’m going to make it up to you. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” His gaze settles on my scar.

“I’m just worried about her. She’s my best friend. I… I wasn’t accusing you of anything.”

He trails a finger over my shaking bottom lip. “I think you were. But that’s okay. How about I walk you out to your car?”

“Um, no, I don’t have a car. I’ve been walking.”

His head pulls back in shock. “What?”

“Maybe Elijah is still here. I can catch a ride with him.”

Draven stares at me. “He’s still here but it sounds like he’s scared of Dirk. I’ll take you home.”

I shake my head back and forth. “No. No, my dad really is outside.”

“Well, I wouldn’t want him thinking I would let you walk home. I insist.”

Oh, fuck. This isn’t good. Not good at all.

And I was right, the minute I step out in the parking lot with Draven, dad is in front of us.

“Dirk, I was just getting ready to give Billie Rose a ride home.”

I stare at the ground, letting the “men” hash it out.

“I’m here to pick her up. Just like I will be every night she decides to work in this hell hole.”

My head bops up. “Take that back. It’s not a hell hole.”

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