Page 43 of Darkened Truths
“Think of this place as an exclusive club. Everyone here has something to offer, or some connection to make. They don’t let just anyone in.” Julien snorts and rolls his eyes, but Zander continues. “Even you.”
“Zander,” Julien warns.
Zander glares at Julien, but picks up his fork and takes a bite of his eggs. It seems like that’s all I’m going to get out of them right now. Except, now I have more questions than answers.
Wesley places his arm on the door frame next to me, tilts my chin up, and places a gentle, almost loving kiss on my lips. If I could melt right now, I’d be a puddle on the floor outside of my room.
“I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning for training, Hellcat.”
I nod. “See ya later.” Then I let myself into my room and lock the door behind me. Ava’s not here, and I mentally send up a thank you. I need to get Leah some more information. She’s been champing at the bit, waiting. It’s only been a week though, so it’s not like I have a lot more to share with her other than what I’ve already sent.
I dial her number, and she answers on the first ring. “Have you forgotten all about me since joining the mafia?” She teases.
I roll my eyes. “Funny. No, I wanted to call and tell you about my classes the rest of the week. Swim was pretty boring, nothing of interest there. Get in, do laps, blah blah. My gun class was interesting, though. I’m not allowed to shoot the damn thing until I can successfully take apart and rebuild it.”
“Really?” she asks, the last bit of the word she says with a shrillness to her voice.
I laugh. “Yeah, really. Who knows if I’ll even be shooting one this year! The other classes are basically business, and math, things like that. I would have loved having some sort of art or something fun, but it’s not as terrible as I was imagining.”
Thoughts of Wesley last night pop into my head and I can’t bite back the smile that spreads across my face. I share everything with Leah and it’s been killing me to not share the guys with her.
“So, um, I’m kinda seeing someone.”
“Damn girl, you work quick! Who is it? Is he hot?”
This is why I love Leah. No disdain, no hate, just pure excitement. “His name is Wesley, and yes. He’s wicked hot! Like book boyfriend material, hot.”
She gasps and squeals. “Give me his full name. I’m going to stalk him.”
My smile fades at that. And for some reason, I don’t want her to. I don’t want her possibly uncovering a deep, dark secret about him I haven’t already tried to find. I learned a bit about him and his family last night, and I don’t want to add to the heartache. And I know Leah. She won’t stop until she finds something.
Just then the door unlocks and Ava comes in.Saved by the bell.
“Hey, I gotta go, but I’ll tell you later. Talk soon.”
“Okay. Bye, babe.” We hang up and I plug my phone in, so the damn thing doesn’t die.
“Hey.” Ava waves and tries to hide the smile on her face but misses by a mile. She has a towel wrapped around her and hugs it closer as she locks the door.
“You look like you’re up to no good. Tell me everything.”
TWENTY-ONE
ZANDER
Ican’t keep my damn eyes off Riley. Ever since she slept with Wes, it’s like something inside of me has cracked. I feel like a damned caged animal. Plus, that fucker knew what he was doing when he pushed her against my door and made her moan. I’ve watched that tape over and over and jacked to it. Fantasies of the two of them behind his closed door consume my every thought. I would have preferred if he fucked her against my door instead, at least then I could have watched instead of wondered. Now I know what a damn addict feels like.
She’s nervous today. Keeps bouncing her leg and fiddling with that stupid pen I want to chuck across the room. She peeks glances at me out of the corner of her eye and her mouth is flopping like a damn fish as she tries to figure out what to say. Wesley walked her to class again today, and I was already sitting here waiting for her to take her seat next to me. I will say it was amusing watching her decide if I was worth sitting next to. Finally, on a sigh, she sat down. I ignored her all day on Monday in class, so it’s no surprise she’s antsy.
“Why won’t you talk to me?” she finally whispers.
“We’re in class. We shouldn’t be talking,” I reply.
“You know what I mean,” she retorts. “You've been avoiding me ever since I stayed at your place.”
“I’m sitting next to you. How can I be avoiding you?”
She closes her eyes and huffs out a harsh breath. A tiny, involuntary smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. I love getting her worked up.
