Page 19 of Oblivion

This boy is in every happy memory from the last ten years. He’s sweet and reliable and ambitious, but still grounded. He loves me and my family, and I love him and his. He’s husband material, and so many people all over the world never find someone as good and honest and kind as him.

“Mrs. Merrick,” he whispers against my lips.

“Not for a while,” I say with a smile.

“The future Mrs. Merrick,” he amends, laughing softly.

I nod. “Do you want to stay? I’m sure my parents wouldn’t mind.”

“That wouldn’t be appropriate,” he chides me, his eyes narrowing in disapproval.

“We’re engaged. They’ve spent half the evening discussing baby names for our children. I really don’t think they’ll have a problem with you sleeping over.”

“I wouldn’t ever disrespect your parents by even suggesting it. Plus, I have my annual fraternity retreat this week. I’m going to be out of town for the next four days. I’ve already discussed the move with your dad, and he’s arranged for your things to be shipped to Eloise’s in the next few days. Then after my trip, I’ll fly home and then travel to Massachusetts with you so we can get you settled in at school next weekend.”

“So, we just got engaged, and now I’m not going to see you for a week?”

“The timing isn’t the best, but my retreat isn’t just about having fun with my brothers. This week is about making connections and networking with other future politicians. I know you understand how important that is,” he says, answering in such a way that I can’t protest his absence without looking like an asshole.

Inhaling silently, I nod. “I understand. I should probably go to California and get the rest of my things from school anyway.”

“Oh, there’s no need. I spoke to the school a couple of days ago and asked them to arrange for your things to be boxed up and transported home for you,” Drew says dismissively.

“Oh, well, I’ll just fly in and see my friends. I’m sure they were thrown when I called to tell them we got engaged.”

“Why?” he asks, like the whole idea of me wanting to see my friends is confusing to him. “You’ve only known them for a few months, and none of them even came to visit when your dad wasin the hospital. Forget about them. I have so many more suitable people to introduce you to once we get to Harvard.”

Then he presses a chaste kiss to my cheek and leaves.

12

EVAN

Anticipation thrums through my veins as I wait for the steps to lower on my family’s private jet. A part of me still isn’t sure if letting all of the psychotic tendencies inside of me loose is a good idea. But the moment Starling uttered the words, “No holds barred. Carte blanche. Do whatever you need to,” the chains I’ve used to keep the real me on a leash for the last year suddenly fell away.

I don’t need my stepsister’s permission for anything, but knowing that claiming my girl won’t mean destroying any hope of a real relationship with Starling and any kids she and Bastian have is a relief.

Knowing that I have the freedom to indulge all of the messed-up fantasies I’ve been stifling since I met Sammy is invigorating, and today I feel like I’m truly breathing for the first time in what seems like forever.

Standing in the kitchen of our Kingsacre home and listening as first Starling and then January called me out for my feelings for Sammy was a shock. I guess I stupidly thought I was doing a better job of repressing the urges I’ve always felt toward her, but apparently not.

I’m not a good man. I’ve tried to be. Since I truly saw the damage we caused, I’ve second-guessed every decision I’ve made. I’ve been determined not to allow myself to become a monster and ruin another girl.

But all of my good intentions have burned away as the last shackles of my conscience have been set free. I’m in love with Sammy. I have been since the moment I saw her. It’s not a sweet love. It’s not normal and tempered and calm. The way I feel about her is like a tornado, wild and untamed and out of control.

My love for her is destructive and furious and unforgiving, and it’ll either be her salvation or her downfall, but either way, I’ve repressed it for so long that now that I’ve allowed my feelings to surge to the surface, there’s no way to stop the devastation I’m about to enact.

When the pilot appears at the top of the steps, I board the jet and hand my luggage to the flight attendant as I march down the aisle and take a seat in a leather recliner in the center of the plane.

One of the joys of owning your own plane is that once you’re onboard, there’s no waiting around, and minutes later, we’re pulling away from the hangar and heading for the runway. It’s only a short five-hour flight to DC, and once we’re in the air, I recline my chair a little and send a text to Sammy’s security detail asking for an update on her location.

Me

Location?

Team 3

Subject is still at her parents’ house. Lights are out, no movement in the last thirty minutes. How would you like us to proceed?

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