Page 30 of Darkened Truths
I toss his words around in my mind. I liked scared Riley today. She turned me on more than anyone ever has. It’s obvious she’s still the same girl I knew. I’m the one who has changed and I hate to admit it. It’s easier using her as the scapegoat to hide my true thoughts. Having her with us and not fighting us would make things easier, and dad said to keep her close. But I know I can’t get attached to her. At some point, I’m going to have to make a hard choice, and she can’t be one of them. There’s no room in my life for her kind of distraction.
“Fine. Train her. Fuck her. Do whatever the hell you want with her, Wes. But donottell her anything about us. That’s an order.”
With a slow, sly smile, he raises two fingers in the air. “Scout's honor.”
FIFTEEN
RILEY
My last class of the day was an accounting class.Yay, more numbers.The saving grace is Ava’s in that one with me, so I don’t have to sit alone. It’s hard being a pariah when I used to be more of a social butterfly. Guess I’m learning new lessons all around.
Trickery.
Mockery.
Lust.
I shake that last thought right out of my damn mind. It’s been hard enough to concentrate today without adding thoughts of the three Kings to the mix. I can’t believe Julien tricked me into sucking him off. I’m so angry with myself. Angry that he could convince me so easily, but I’m more upset over the fact that it turned me on. I tried to talk to Derek after my classes, but he ignored me. To be fair, I’d ignore me too if I had my fingers broken by a crazy man. I’m such an asshole for putting him through that. I didn’t think Julien would go as far as hurting someone over a stupid kiss. Although Derek didn’t have to go along with your plan initially, my inner voice chimes in.
I take my computer out of my bag, and open a new word document. Julien left my bag on the floor in survival class forme. I didn’t dare try to take it until he gave me one last sneer and walked out of the doors. Even now, I’m nervous he tampered with it, but I don’t have an option. I need to get some stuff out to Leah. She’s been champing at the bit. I’m sitting in the library in a corner booth away from prying eyes. Who ever would have thought a place like this would have a library. It’s not as large as other college type campuses, but it will do. It’s quiet here and allows me a reprieve from…everything.
My phone buzzes with an incoming text. Ava added me to a group chat with Nick at some point today and the two of them have been talking. I’m pretty sure she’s added me to make her feelings for him less obvious, but I don’t mind. I’ll take any friend I can get. Most of the girls around here seem to hate my guts, and the guys keep their distance. Like I said…pariah.
Nick:
How was the first day of classes?
Ava:
Good, but tiresome. I had shooting lessons today. My dad’s made me take them already and I’m a decent marksman, so I may get to drop it or move up to a higher level.
Nick:
Well done, Ava! That’s great to hear. How about you Riley? Okay day?
Me:
I survived, so that’s something. Loved getting chased by my nemesis, that was a blast. :/
Nick:
Oh yeah, those survival classes can be brutal, but you’ll make it through. Who do you have?
Me:
Scarboro.
Nick:
Don’t be late and you’ll do fine. Hang in there!
Yeah, solid advice. Just a few hours too late, unfortunately. Ignoring the insistent buzz of my phone as they text back and forth, I put it down. I need to get more information for Leah. I quickly jot what I recall from conversations with Ava this weekend and about my classes today; the chase through the woods at the forefront of my mind. Do I add that? Am I ready for Leah to know about that? I know she would freak out, and not for safety concerns. She would want all the sexy details and squeal in excitement. I know my best friend too well.
My body trembles with the memories of today. The smell of Julien, his firm muscles pinning me down, not once, but twice. Then there’s that small tidbit of how he tasted, and it wasn’t completely unpleasant. I’ve never let a guy come down my throat before. Not that I’ve had many opportunities, either. I rub my thighs together to ease some of the pressure building. It’s a dangerous game, getting involved with them—bending to their will. But in a sick, twisted way, I want to.
What is wrong with me?
I shake my head, clearing my disoriented thoughts. Rereading what I have, I remove all traces of the chase. Leah doesn’t need to know my confusing thoughts about Julien yet.
