Page 127 of The Order

“No one's skin is clean here.” I feel his fingers drawing circles along my lower back. “I just decided to paint a reminder on my skin of what it is I fight for,” he whispers, my face hot from how close we are.

“What are you fighting for?” I question, watching his jaw clench.

“I wish I had a simple answer for you. Just know that when it comes to you, my purpose is clear.”

I shake my head, feeling my hair tickle my lower back.

“Why drag yourself into my mess? You hardly know me.” I whisper, feeling his grasp tighten.

He closes his eyes, suppressing a slight groan, rubbing his throat with firm strokes.

“You're right,” he says with a great deal of defeat, finally opening his eyes. “It must mean you’re a pretty impactful woman.” My chest fills with a deep need to stay close to him.

He touches my hair, giving it a close look.

“I didn't think we managed to make it go that dark,” he whispers, furrowing his brows.

“You don't like it?” I question, giving him a smirk.

He leans in closer, bracing my lower back.

“It hides your natural beauty, love,” he whispers, our noses grazing. “Being close to you like this is something I do not take for granted.”

My heart flutters and I feel Its presence stir to life again.

“Feed into it,”It starts, coaxing me into allowing him closer.

“You don't get a say,”I seethe in my mind, feeling a sudden need to pull away from him, flooded with thoughts of Fallan. Xavier picks up on this shift and gently moves me from his feet as the song ends.

“Your family is attending the dinner tonight?” he questions, his voice almost drowned out by the clapping of those applauding the band.

The Commander supposedly coordinated a dinner for all the Official families this year to thank upper leadership for all their hard work.

I nod, and Xavier reaches for my hand, pressing his lips to its top, giving me a soft smile. I try to find comfort in him again, but the connection is lost.

“You look beautiful,” he says, remaining positive despite how closed-off I’m being.

A body passes by Xavier, dressed in a catering uniform. The man barrels into Xavier’s shoulder, making Xavier remove his grasp on my hand as he turns on his heels. I watch the Unfortunate weave through the crowd, pulling away from us before he can single him out. Xavier looks frustrated, scanning the crowd for someone bold enough to touch him like that. I feel a sense of relief when I see Fallan’s black curls. His playful blue eyes observe the blonde from a distance, motioning his head to an uncrowded space between two buildings farther away from the event. Xavier runs his hand through his hair, ready to turn back toward me, only to be motioned by my father, who’s struck up a conversation with one of his many co-workers. Xavier sighs deeply, giving me a look.

“Hayes!” my father yells.

“Your last name is Hayes?” I question with a smile.

“As far as they know… would you hate me if I went to deal with that?” Xavier questions, leaving me with an opportunity to find Fallan.

“Make my dad proud,” I say sarcastically, watching him smirk before he moves to join my dad.

Wasting no time, I followed Fallan's path, looking back once before joining him in the alleyway.

His hands are deep within his pockets, a look of anger painted across his face as he paces back and forth. He wears a uniform meant for those catering the event. He looks me over, pausing once he takes notice of my dress.

“I couldn't stand another second of watching him touch you,” Fallan says. The wall in his mind is as safeguarded as ever.

There's no running now. Weeks of nothing but secret conversations in our minds and distance between us.

“You said-”

“I can’t keep avoiding you… it's eating me alive,” he whispers.

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