Page 90 of Unveil
Then again…didI fall for him?
Orion Fury is possessive and ruthless. But he’s also protective, thoughtful. The only times he’s ever been harsh with me is when it came to my safety.
Damn. Maybe I have been Stockholmed. Wouldn’t that be just my luck? I mean,why notadd one more cherry-on-top diagnosis to my fucked-up sundae?
Except… just thinking that way makes guilt pang through my chest. Orion’s been transparent about how much he cares for me, and my own feelings are becoming just as clear.
“I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for him,” I say instead, sticking with the safest truth I’ve got.
Benoit studies me, then explains firmly. “He can survive out here on his own, Lu. Furys are practically born feral.”
“I…” My chest twists. “I’m sorry. I just can’t leave yet.”
“Luna,” he groans, half-exasperation, half-plea.
“Stay,” I beg. “Please, Benny? He’ll be back any second. After you talk, you’ll see what I mean. There’s a lot you don’t know.”
I step aside, inviting him in. He hesitates at the threshold, drumming his fingers on the doorframe, lips pressed together as he thinks. After a few beats, he nods to himself and steps back to slip an orange pill bottle from his jacket.
“Your dad made sure we all carried some,” he begins carefully, but irritation stains my vision red. “This way, whoever found you would be able to help you. Maybe… maybe you could take one now before Fury gets back?”
It’s all I can do not to knock the pills out of his hand. But that sure as hell won’t help my case, so I cross my arms tight against my chest.
“I’m not out of my mind, Benoit. I know what I’m doing. Just because you don’t agree with me doesn’t mean I’m ‘crazy.’”
“Sorry, sorry. Reading you loud and clear.” He winces, hands lifted in surrender. “Jesus, you know I’d never call it that. Hear me out, though. Maybe not now, but at least on the way back? It’s been days without them. That’s bad enough on its own, but then pile on what you’ve gone through?” His voice gentles. “Your parents are worried about you,cher. We all are.”
I shift on my feet, staring at the bottle in his hand, unable to confront the concern I know is written all over his face. He’s right, but there’s something he doesn’t know.
My cheeks heat, and I worry my lip.
It’s only been a day, and I don’t know if anything I can do will affect it, or if there’s even an “anything”toaffect, but I won’t take the risk.
“Do you think they’re safe for pregnancy?” I ask quietly.
Benoit freezes. Every muscle in his face hardens as my meaning slams into him.
“Luna… did that motherfucker ra?—”
“No.” I cut him off fast. “I… I wanted it.”
The words come out easier than I would’ve expected, and once that truth is out in the world, peace settles over me. I wanted everything that happened yesterday in the waterfall. I want Orion.
Benoit’s posture sags, and pity creeps into the rest of his features. But not judgment. He nods his acceptance, and my breath releases from my chest.
I don’t know why I was worried. He’s never judged me before, and, even now, when he believes I’ve done the unthinkable by sleeping with the enemy, my friend still loves me the same.
“We’ll look it up together, okay?” He slides the medicine back into his jacket pocket. “But we don’t know when Fury will be back, and weneedto go.”
“What’s the rush?” My eyes narrow. “It’s been days. Why do we need to gonow?”
His hard swallow bobs down his neck. “I… can’t tell you.”
“Can’t?” My brow raises. “Or won’t?”
“Can’t. Orders.” He winces. “Your dad didn’t want to worry you.”
“Benoit,” I warn. “You know I hate when you shadows get all secretive.”
