Page 20 of Honor and Claim

“Right, I don’t want to know shit from you.” Marks tries to glare at me, but it comes off like her eyes are being hit by the sun, and she can’t see. “Jerkoff," she adds for good measure.

"You know what?" This time it's Cosima who takes a step closer to me. "Why don't you clue me in on why you're here at all? This is the first time you have ever come to Europe to see me."

"That's not true." Oh, I have come so many times. Sure, I had eyes on her, but I often felt the need to see her for myself. Even if only from a distance, and a few times not so distant at all. She had no idea I was there. Close enough to even touch her. It wasn't a coincidence that her dorm roommate dropped out; the person never existed. I had set it all up so she would have her own room. That made it easier to come and go as I pleased. To be closer to her and get my fix of her just by being in her presence.

"How is it not true?"

"He stalks you. I told you that. With your phone."

"I'd be real careful, Marks," I warn her.

“Don’t threaten her.”

I keep my eyes trained on Cosima. “You and everyone else need to understand I’ll do whatever I have to to keep you safe and mine.” I clear the rest of the space between us, my hand going to her chin to tilt her head back. “Do you understand me, Cosima? I’ll doanything.” I let that word hang. “And if Marks thinks she can play inside my phone and I won’t return the favor?—”

“It’s her phone. I didn’t try to get into yours. I’m not that stupid.”

“Anything that belongs to Cosima belongs to me.” Cosima sucks in a breath.

“Wait, you got into my phone?” Marks asks. I answer, but my attention stays on my girl. I can smell and feel her now. Normally that soothes me, but right now it’s not. It has another need clawing inside of me.

“I’m not the only one who has a stalking problem, it would seem.” I finally turn my head to lock eyes with Marks. “And I’m guessing you don’t want me to tell that person where you are.” The color drains from Marks’ face.

“What the hell?” Cosima shoves at my chest. It was a dick thing to say, so I take half a step back, letting my hand fall away from her face. “Stop being a jerk to her. She’s my friend. A loyal one who has been here for me when no one else was.” Cosima’s words hit their target, striking me where she knows it will hurt the most.

“Marks knows turnabout is fair play, and I want her to know that I know what she’s up to.”

“That’s not any of your business.” Cosima adorably pokes my chest with her finger. Her nails are painted a soft pink.

“This time it is, and she knows why it is.” Cosima’s brows pull together, and she glances over to Marks, who has taken a few steps back toward the hallway.

“I hear what you’re putting down.”

“Wait, what am I missing?” Cosima's eyes go from Marks to me, her brows pulling together.

“It’s nothing.” Marks glances around at anywhere but us.

“Z?” Cosima asks me. I’m in sticky territory. Cosima wants to know what I mean, while I don’t think her friend wants her to know.

“I’ll tell.” I shrug. “But I don’t think she wants me to, so I’ll leave it up to you.”

Now Cosima holds the choice in her hands. “Is there something you don’t want me to know?” she asks Marks.

“I don’t want anyone knowing.” She tries to glare at me. Marks is terrible at it. Too much time behind a screen, I suppose. Cosima has a glare that can cut; she gets it from her mother.

“Why?”

“I’m still working it out myself, okay?”

“Okay, that’s fine. He won’t tell me.” Her attention swings back to me, where I want it. “Right?”

“I won’t tell you unless you ask me.”

“No.” Cosima shakes her head adamantly. “You won’t tell anyone.”

“Cosima—”

“No, promise it.” She pokes my chest again, and I have to fight a smirk.

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