Page 153 of The Order

My head explodes into a vortex of thought, his shields and mine crashing down, all of his emotions hitting me like a landslide. Turning my head, Fallan’s blue eyes meet mine before eyeing down Xavier. Xavier’s hands fall from my sides. Valerie trails behind Fallan, her tiny body fitted into a lovely blue dress that is perfect for tonight. She really is gorgeous. Hunter drags Kai closer to the bonfire, urging my brother to drink from his cup, patting him on the back in encouragement. Fallan moves closer to us, crossing his arms as he continues to stare at Xavier.

“I wasn't expecting you to be here,” Fallan says to Xavier, both men completely rigid. I look at Valerie, half expecting her to egg it on. Instead, she watches me, her hands fidgeting with one another.

“Yet, here I am,” Xavier says, touching my lower back. Glancing down at his arm, I don’t know how to react. I give Fallan an apologetic look, unsure at what point Xavier had gotten his hands back on me.

“I think there are plenty of your Official asshole friends surrounding the perimeter if you want to go see them,” Fallan says.

“What's the fun in that?” Xavier questions, his hand moving around to trail down my side. He’s trying to prove he can have me.

That I’m his.

A message to Fallan.

“Can I get you a drink?” Valerie questions toward me, finally breaking her silence.

I look at her arm, feeling a pit grow in my stomach at the tension the men have created. Looping my arm around hers, I quickly nod, feeling my anxiety fade as we escape them. Aaron stands behind a table serving drinks, his eyes growing wide at the sight of me and Valerie together. With a wide grin, he pours two drinks, motioning Kai and Hunter closer, leaving Xavier and Fallan to bicker quietly.

“I figured you wanted out of that,” Valerie says with complete honesty, her perfect skin and beautifully wide eyes illuminated in this lighting.

“Thank you,” I whisper, squeezing her arm with genuine gratitude.

“I never thought I'd see the day Valerie wasn't plotting your demise,” Aaron says, pushing the drinks closer to us across the counter.

Picking it up, I sniff the contents of the cup, and I’m immediately ready to set it back down. Before I can put the cup back on the counter and ask for something else, Aaron pushes the cup to my lips, forcing the sweet amber liquid into my mouth and down my throat. Hunter does the same thing to Kai as a searing warmth spreads through my stomach.

“Fuck! That's so much stronger than our stuff,” Kai says, slamming the cup on the table for a refill.

Xavier and Fallan end their conversation, both scowling. Grabbing a woman's arm from the crowd, Fallan pulls her along with him, whispering gently in her ear, pressing his lips to the soft part of her neck. Dropping my cup, I eye them with utter disbelief, watching Valerie follow my eyesight, her mouth settling into a displeased frown.

“Looks like we are having one of those nights,” Valerie says, shaking her head as she extends her arm for seconds.

The woman is young and pretty. She is already giddy from alcohol, allowing Fallan to dance with her as my heart burns with jealousy. Slamming my hands on the walls of his mind, I scream at him through the bond.

“Looks like your blonde friend told Fallan again that he can’t have something he wants,” Valerie says, pressing her hand into her hip as she speaks. “This is his way of getting to both of you.”

“Fine. I can play that game, too,” I mutter to her. I watch as her features shift into a feral kind of delight.

Xavier finally makes his way back to us. Hunter quickly shoves a cup into his hand. Unlike the rest of us, Xavier quickly drinks it with no issues, giving Fallan one last look before turning to me. Aaron tops off my cup to the brim. Throwing back the drink, my hand drops the cup when I’m done, instantly reaching for Xavier and pulling him closer to the music.

“What are we doing?” he questions. The effects of the alcohol are already setting in, making me bolder than usual.

I yank my sweater up and pull it free from my body, revealing a sheer gray compression shirt. It’s almost see-through, with a soft shimmer that catches the light. My lace bra is visible underneath, showing more of my chest than I’m used to. Keeping my hair down and in its waves, I toss the sweater on a log, eyeing Xavier like an animal.

“You want me, Xavier?” I say without thinking, watching his pupils dilate.

All he can do is look at me.

“Prove it,” I say with a grin, throwing his words back at him.

Grabbing my waist, he pulls me flush against him. My arms wrap around his neck, and I drag him down and into me. Hungrily, his lips find my neck, causing my breath to hitch as my chin buries deep into his shoulder. My eyes find Fallan’s angry stare. He is no longer focused on the woman I saw him with earlier. His hands clench his cup, now spilling over with liquid.

“Is this all a show?” Xavier questions, his voice brushing over my ear.

“It would be so much easier if everything was just a show,” It says, speaking for me.

“Why did you say that?”I question, feeling unsure of my words.

“The two sides of you come with more than just an extra voice in your head,”It hisses, my mind drawing blanks.

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