Page 52 of The Misfit

“No?” He stops abruptly at the top of the landing, and I’m forced to stop too or run into him. “The arrests? The bar fights? The guys he’s been caught with?” He turns to face me, and his smile is nothing short of predatory.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about …” This isn’t my story to tell, and even if Aries and Lee have been friends forever, I don’t want to give away Lee’s and my agreement. Not if Lee hasn’t revealed it himself.

“Lee’s my best friend. I know everything there is to know about him, and this—whatever he’s doing with you …”

My heart jumps inside my chest. I press myself against the wall, trying to maintain distance without looking afraid. “Did you say Lee was here somewhere?”

“Of course.” He steps closer, trapping me against the wall, his movements predatory, his features dark. My breath hitches, and panic makes my vision narrow. “But while I escort you, maybe we should talk about what’s really going on between you two. About the real reason he’swithyou.”

My gloved hands shake as I try to count the wallpaper patterns behind him.

One, two, three fleurs-de-lis.Again. Again. Again. It doesn’t stop the panic clinging to my bones like a second skin. “I need to …” I try to slip past him, but he lifts his arm and blocks my path. Fear wraps around my limbs.

Why did I listen to him? Why did I come here?

“Need to what?” His breath hits my cheek, and I fight the urge to scrub my skin. “Run? Hide? Count things until you feel safe?”

“Don’t—”

“Or maybe …” His voice drops lower. “You need to hear the truth about yourboyfriend. About what we really do here at The Mill. About how brothers share everything.”

I don’t understand what he’s saying, but his implications make bile rise in my throat. This isn’t right. Lee wouldn’t set this up. Wouldn’t let his friend intimidate me. Lee wouldn’t hurt me… right?

“There’s his room.” Aries finally steps back, gesturing to a door at the end of the hall. “Why don’t we go in and talk to him together?”

My options collapse around me like falling dominoes.

Can’t go back downstairs alone.

Can’t stay here with Aries.

Can’t run without looking crazy.

Can’t breathe, can’t think, can’t?—

“After you.” He smirks, placing his hand on my lower back. The fear I feel is fleeting when I remind myself of who I am and how far I’ve come. Did Lee set this all up? If Lee wants to hurt me, he’ll have to try harder. I bolt forward, away from Aries’s touch and toward Lee’s door.

Anger grips me as I reach for the handle. If this is some kind of test, some cruel joke between Lee and his best friend … The door swings open, and rage propels me forward.

The familiar scent of Lee’s cologne mixed with soap and humidity fills my nostrils first. Then I notice the steam rolling out from what must be an attached bathroom.

“If this is some kind of sick joke—” I start yelling, my voice tight with anger and betrayal.

All those careful weeks of trust-building, of him learning my patterns, of me actually believing someone could understand my broken pieces—was it all just leading to this? Some elaborate prank with his best friend?

The words die in my throat when I round the corner and enter the bedroom area to find Lee standing there in all his naked glory, droplets of water clinging to his skin.

I watch as the droplets trail down his chest, catching in the late afternoon sunlight that filters through the window behind him. His brown hair is darker, almost black when wet, and pushed back from his face. His eyes are warm, intense, and brimmed with shock.

I lick my lips involuntarily, heat rushing to my core.Stop staring. Don’t look down. Don’t do it.But the more I tell myself not to do it, the more I’m tempted to, and against my better judgment, I let my gaze drift. Every muscle, every line, every inch of him is on display, and my brain short-circuits.

One drop of water slides down his abdomen.

Two seconds of absolute silence.

Three racing heartbeats.

“Salem?” His voice is rough, mixed with a hitch of surprise. Yet he makes no effort to cover himself. If anything, he straightens, allowing me to get a better look at him.

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