Page 136 of Ink Deep Devotion

A cold steam hits my face, filling my nose as it rushes past me to escape the bathroom.“Nova, you’re scaring me,” I admit when I reach the shower.

Still no response.

I reach my hand out and pull back the curtain.A gasp breaks free from my lips. Blood mixes with the cold water, flowing like a weeping river, begging for help as it sinks down the drain, and there at the bottom of the shower is my strong, confident roommate, only she’s all beaten up.

Chapter 47

Mila

The school bell rings, and I spot my prey leaving his class.“Damian!” Running, I grab his arm.“Take me to Nova!” I demand.

He stops but keeps his eyes ahead.“I can’t do that. Titan’s orders.”

I lick my lips, trying to remain calm. After I found Nova, I called Titan. I didn’t care if the guys found out Nova was trying to help me get a fake identity. I just needed her to be safe. Seeing the girl I idolized so broken and bloody kept sleep far at bay.

What went wrong?

Titan rushed her back to their campus house and had his doctor come to take care of her. Dash held me as I cried, but then he led me to his room and placed four guards outside his door, ordering them to keep me away from Nova as he closed the door.

Nova hadn’t left Titan’s room, so I had no way of asking her what happened or apologizing.I was forced to attend class each day, so I did, because if I stayed in Dash’s room, I would go insane.

As for Dash, he had another photo of him with a new girl leaked.

“Damian, please,” I tug on his sleeve.

“Nova is fine,” his hand lands on my shoulder.

“Then why hasn’t she left the room?”

“She’s resting.”

So, she hasn’t said anything about the fake ID?“I just want to see her.”

Damian looks at me long, searching for answers. I glance down, guilty as charged. He reaches out and cups my cheek.“Why do I get the feeling you and Nova were up to something?”

Oh, Damian, your heart is too big for the callus walls you have built around it. You’re just like Dash; you care so deeply that you let your fear dictate your life. You want to keep me safe, but that suffocation is slowly killing me.

“I wish you were my friend.” I lean into his hand before I let the air slip between us.

“I am your friend.”

“No, you’re not.” My next swallow is a struggle.“You care about me because Dash cares. Your loyalty is to him.”

His hand slides to my biceps, holding me anchored.“My loyalty is to what keeps my family safe, and you are my family. Stay away from Nova until Titan tells you otherwise.”

His hand slips free.“Go to class.” He looks at my guards and nods.

“So you’re going to push me away, too. Act like I don’t matter.”

“That’s not what I’m doing.”

“Sure.” I step back.“Are you with him in those clubs as he kisses other girls? I think you are.” I insult him. "Don't hold his hand, then try to grab mine too. It's time to pick a side, Damian. Don't worry, I know you'll choose him in the end.”

“Mila!” Damian steps forward and tries to grab my arm. I don’t let him.

“It’s okay, Damian. You’re just following Dash’s orders.”

My inhale is sharp as I turn. I’m losing everyone, people I didn’t think I would care about. How the hell will I escape now? Nova was my only serious option.

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