Page 135 of Ink Deep Devotion

I'm so confused! Blaze knows I am contracted to marry Dash. Where is this coming from?

“Did you want an invitation?” I cross my arms, shielding my heart from being hurt again.Please don’t do this, Blaze. Don’t cross the line.

He leans closer.“I would have helped you.”

I look at his stomach, where the scar from Dom was hidden under his shirt.“You helped enough.”

His eyes darken before they look down at my lips.No, Blaze, don’t go there and ruin what we have.

I’d never turn a friendship into a relationship, no matter how badly I wanted to hurt Dash.

“Blaze, just drop it.” I try to take a step toward my dorm. His emerald green eyes boil. Then he grabs my shoulders, spins me around, and slams his lips down on mine.

What the fuck!

I freeze for a moment.Why the hell does this keep happening to me?

The only fact that stops my panic attack from going full-blown is knowing the guard is nearby.

I try to shove Blaze away, but he doesn’t budge. He tries pushing his tongue into my mouth, but I pound my fist against his chest. He finally steps back.“The Kings are not the only ones with power around here, Mila. Remember that.” his words are stern, but his eyes look regretful.

What the hell has come over him? He’s going to throw away our friendship for a stolen kiss!

Something isn’t right. He would never do this unless…he was ordered to.

Did Dash pay him to do this?

No. Dash’s wounds are still too fresh. I’d expect this to happen a few months from now, not days after our wedding.

I lift my hand and wipe his kiss off my lips. Why do all the men in my life think they can take so easily from me?

I spot Dash’s guard in the distance, phone in hand, as he leaves me to follow Blaze. Then, from the far corner, I see a familiar face. Anders is leaning against the Economics building, eyes trained on me as if distance doesn’t disturb his focus. His tattoos contrast against his pale skin in the sunlight. He just stands there, unmoving or blinking, as he watches me.

Why is he here?

I turn away and rush inside. I don’t care if Blaze will be punished for this. He just ruined the friendship we had! As the elevator brings me up to the third floor, so does my anger. That all vanishes when I notice blood on the doorknob. I hesitate, noting the front door isn’t fully shut. I’m about to turn and run when I remember Nova. She never texted me that she got back from getting my fake ID; she also warned me not to text her, leaving me in suspense. I had no idea if she would be back in an hour or a week.

I grab my phone and call Dash. Ring, ring…ring, ring. Pick up! Come on, pick up the phone!

Naturally, he doesn’t answer my call. Most likely, he’s still on the phone with his guard.

The hallway lights make the blood on the doorknob glisten like a ruby in a jewelry store, calling out for me to come closer and inspect it.

It’s all fine. Knowing Nova, she just cut herself and rushed inside to clean the cut. Right? I mean, she’s reckless and wild, and she rides that motorbike; maybe she fell. Yes. She fell off her bike, but she’s fine; it's just a few cuts and bruises.

I nudge the door open. I keep my phone in my hand in case I need to call for help.Maybe she’s hurt, but not hurt enough for me to blow our entire plan to shreds.

An eerie emptiness fills the living room. Nova’s door is open; the shower is running.

Nova never leaves her door open. She guards her room like her heart, only allowing others to see what she allows.

I force a swallow down as I step into her room. Years of ballet taught me how to have a dancer’s graceful steps that could go unheard if I chose to make them that way.

“Nova,” I call out. Walking towards the restroom, I call out again,“Nova, are you ok?”

No answer.

Lord help me! Knowing Nova, this is all a joke to scare me.

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