Page 51 of Taking Jenny
“Fine.”
But before I could escape, Mal and Tiger sauntered out to breakfast. I grit my teeth to keep from speaking. They both looked far too relaxed and Mal’s smile was lazy as sin.
“Good morning, all,” Mal said.
Tiger winced as he sat down, and they exchanged a knowing look. Then, he smiled at me and asked, “Did you sleep well, Jenny?”
“Better than some,” I said, glaring daggers at Mal.
Tiger’s brow furrowed. “Is everything alright? Did something happen?”
Was he serious right now?And why was I so pissed off when we weren’t monogamous or in a committed relationship and Tiger could fuck whoever he wanted? Still, seeing the two of them together…hurt.
Ignoring Tiger, I addressed my trainer. “Longshot, you ready to get started?”
“I am—”
Tiger reached out for my hand, but I jerked it away. “Jenny, what’s wrong?”
“Absolutely nothing,” I snapped. “Enjoy your breakfast. I know how hungry you get when you’ve been well-fucked. Come on, Longshot.”
I turned on my heel and marched to the forest where we trained.
He caught up to me a minute later. “Is something bothering you?”
“I’m fine.”
“Is it the fact that Tiger and Mal clearly—”
“I said,I’m fine,” I nearly snarled.
Very sarcastically, he said, “Sure, you seem absolutely fine.”
I whipped my gaze up at him so fast, my ponytail smacked me in the face. “Do you have something to say to me about this?”
“Well, I was unaware that you have a claim on Tiger.”
I stopped walking, but jammed my hands on my hips and continued to glare at him. “What?”
“You two are, orwere, sleeping together,” he said in a calm, reasonable tone. “Now, you are angry that he slept with Mal. So, do you have a claim on Tiger or not?”
“What do you care?”
He let out a long, controlled breath. “Because nonconsensual relationships, those that violate agreed terms between a couple, are commonly prosecuted in Ladrian courts. The penalty is death. So, I will ask you again. Do you have a claim of monogamy on Tiger?”
My heart stuttered in my chest. As furious as I was with Tiger, I didn’t wish him mortal harm. “People die here for cheating?”
He nodded, his expression solemn. “It is a grand offense in our culture, Jenny. In spite of our unusual circumstances here, there are certain rules we all abide by. Did they—”
“No,” I said quickly. “Let me be very clear about that. I am not upset because they slept together. At least, not because of any kind of cheating issue because no, we had not agreed to a monogamous relationship.”
“I see,” he said, shifting in his stance. “Then why the anger?”
“Tiger…” my voice cracked, which only made me more upset. I cleared my throat and tried again. “Tiger noticed that Mal and I have been flirting, and he wasn’t happy about it, almost like he was jealous or something. Last I knew, he hated Mal. And then this morning, I foundthemin bed together in Tiger’s room.”
Longshot tipped his head. “What did he say when you confronted them?”
I glanced down and kicked the toe of my shoe into the dirt. “Oh, you mean like a mature, rational adult who talks about their feelings right when they happen?” I laughed sharply and rolled my eyes at myself. “Yeah, that didn’t happen.”
