Page 21 of Innocent Princess

"Does that mean I'm back on your good side now?" I smirk at the dig. I know it's going to take a lot more than helping a chick find her parents to bring my best friend and I back to where we started.

He grunts. "You're on the right track. Though, I'm still not condoning all the ways you are breaking the law to find the information you need."

Tipping my head, I give him that one. He does not want the details.

"Not that your feelings or thoughts matter in this; she deserves to know who her parents are and who she is. If the only way for her to find that out is with my help, I'll do whatever it takes." And I will. I fought it at first, opting for the "it's too risky" route, but seeing the look of hope in her eyes when she found out I was digging around was enough to push me all the way in.

I can feel Wells’s eyes on me; the side of my face starts to burn with his attention. I don't give him mine.

"She's too innocent for you, Ryk. I know you teeter on the line of right and wrong, and I know you'd never do anything to hurt her on purpose, but she's delicate. I see the way you look at her…" he trails off.

"And how's that?" I bite down on my anger. He's looking out for her. If anyone knows me, it's him, but I don't like what he's implying.

"Like you want to devour her. Fuck man, you're sitting on a bench watching her. When was the last time you sat on a bench watching the world around you? You hide out in your room or empty classrooms doing God knows what on that computer you are attached to. When was the last time you got to know a girl enough to have a crush on her?"

"Who said anything about a crush?" I quip. He's got a point though. This isn't my scene. I'm pretty much a loner.

He makes a dismissive sound. "You've got it bad, brother."

"If it wasn't for you recently hooking back up with Louisa, I would have said the same thing about you." I give him the side-eye checking to see how my words landed.

He sighs and gives a quick shake of his head. "I'll be the first to admit that Zella is attractive. There's something about her that screams for you to notice her."

The truth flowing from his mouth seeps in and hits every jealous bone within me. I'm not the only one who's interested. I've seen guys on campus turn and look her way. This isn't news to me.

Wells continues, "Even if it weren't for the fact that she friend-zoned me in the first five minutes of meeting her, I'm not right for her."

I stare at him. For one, after spending one dinner with them, I knew she'd friend-zoned him. However, I'm interested in why he doesn't think he's right for her.

He reads my mind, turns toward me and sighs. "You, on the other hand, are exactly what she needs. Be careful with her." With that, he stands, claps me on the shoulder, and adds, "Stop being a creeper and ask her on a date. She'll say yes." Then he walks toward the girl in question, leaving me to watch his retreating form.

I'm exactly what she needs? Why?I must say it out loud because he stops, looks over his shoulder, and says, "Because you would give her the adventure she desperately needs."

I sit there for a moment and chew on his parting words.Could I give her adventure?How does a guy, whose main source of entertainment comes from breaking down codes and firewalls and playing around in the deep web where he doesn't belong, bring adventure to a girl who's been sheltered and lied to her entire life?

I shake the thoughts away, stand to join them, and maybe take Wells up on his suggestion to ask Zella on a date. As I get closer to the group, Cameron walks toward me. He's got his backpack slung over his shoulder, so I assume he's leaving. I take the opportunity to set the record straight on where he stands with Zella.

As he passes me with a nod, I stop him. "Hey, so you and Blondie are just friends, right? Or is there something more going on?"

Cameron wastes no time before throwing his head back and laughing. Once he gets himself under control, he answers, "Don't worry. She's not the one I'd be interested in." He smirks and walks off in the direction I just came from.

Interesting.

So, that means he's not going to be an issue, right?

9

Zella

I carefully smudgethe charcoal to add depth to the drawing I'm working on for my class. I'm sitting in my window in the tower switching between two of my favorite things: drawing and people watching. I don't have any more classes today, so I came to the tower about an hour ago. I'm about done with the drawing when the door swings open.

I snap my head toward the door to see who it is. I know who I want it to be.

Ryker pops his head in, and the grin on his face causes a rapid-fire beat in my chest.

"Hey there, Blondie." He walks all the way in and closes the door behind him. "I was hoping you were here."

"Oh, yeah?"He was looking for me?I tramp down the excitement building in my stomach.

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