Page 47 of Ruthless Commander
We need to talk. Meet me in our classroom in Building Two?”
I didn’t even shake when I sent the message, just strode to the closet and grabbed my jeans. My suitcase was lying open, the last few things inside, as though part of me was still desperate to run. That frantic hum resounded inside me and part of it was this…I glanced down to my phone. This terrible need to open old wounds…and the longer I stayed here around Mateo, the stronger that need became.
If I didn’t stop this, and soon, I’d tear myself apart.
I shrugged on a t-shirt, then slid into my jacket before reaching for my boots.
Beep.
My phone drew my gaze.
Damien: I’m on my way.
I swallowed and made my way over to the bed to sit on the edge and pull my boots on. Damien thought he could change my mind about leaving, but the truth was, even if I was stuck here for only another damn day, I didn’t want what he thought we had anymore. I stood up and pulled down my jacket before making my way out of my room.
Murmurs came from the room next to mine, low, monotone, like she was talking to someone on the phone. A chill coursed along my spine at the sound. Evan Valachi wasn’t anything like I'd expected…she was unraveled and unhinged … a total recluse who was fixated on Bruno Bernardi.
But it wasn’t anything like Kat or Anna. There wasn’t desire in her eyes when his name was mentioned, just a dangerous glint that made me wary. But he seemed to be obsessed with her, urging me to lie and promise to get the two of them together.
Arranged marriage or not, I didn’t like them together, not one bit.
There was something about her that rubbed me the wrong way…something that made me fearful of her and Bruno ever getting together. Something that made me want to warn him away from her. But I had nothing concrete, nothing more than a feeling in my gut and the low murmurs that came from her bedroom.
I left the sound behind and made my way through the apartment, heading to the elevator. By the time I reached the foyer, I was buzzing with desperation.
Rhys lifted his gaze the moment I stepped out of the elevator. He was reclining on the sofa, his feet crossed at the ankles, and the TV remote in his hand as he flicked through the channels. “We going somewhere?” He shoved up from the seat.
“You don’t need to come, I’m just heading to Building Two for a few minutes.”
“You know the drill, X.” He lifted the remote and switched off the TV. “There’re only reports on the damn cyclone anyway. Enough to scare the pants off me if I’m honest, so this is a welcome distraction.”
“You mean heading out into that cyclone?”
“Nah. This,” he declared as he glanced out the large windows of the foyer, "this is just some heavy gusts. The real thing is a lot worse.”
“Great,” I muttered as he rose, grabbed his jacket, and slipped it on over his holster.
The truth was, I was glad for the company, and it wasn’t just because of the wind.
“Ready when you are,” he said as he motioned toward the door.
I tugged my jacket tight around me as I headed for the door. The wind knocked me backwards as I stepped out. Rhys grabbed my arm, steadying me, and with the touch, memories of last night came flooding back, bringing Mateo with them.
“I’m okay!” I yelled, fighting the roaring wind.
I lowered my head and drove my body forward, cutting around the side of the building and into the shelter of the nearest row of buildings. The gusts died down a little, leaving me to right myself as I hurried along the sidewalk and headed to the next row of buildings.
Halfway there, I caught movement in the corner of my eye. Mateo was headed across the grounds, coming from the main building. He lifted his head, and that brooding, pissed-off glare met mine before his eyes widened.“Xael?”my name was on his lips even though I couldn’t hear the sound.
He glanced behind me to Rhys, and scowled.
Fuck him…
Fuck you!That’s what I wanted to mouth back, but I couldn’t find the rage, not in that moment. Instead, I tore my gaze away, focused on the building in from of me, and quickened my strides.
By the time I slammed my card against the scanner of the door and pushed in, my ears were ringing from the wind. “Jesus,” I gasped as Rhys charged in behind me.
“That was a helluva lot stronger than I expected,” he muttered.
