Page 2 of Break My Rules

How could it be Saint?

All those secrets I bared to him…. I opened up about everything, I shared Wren’s pain over her attack—and my own, heartbreaking grief over losing her. He told me that the man who did that to her was a monster. Evil.

Was he laughing at me, all along?

Was this some kind of sick game, to lull me into trusting him?

It doesn’t make sense.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, the house comes into view. The party we left is raging now, with music playing loudly, and all of the Blackthorn Society members dancing and drinking, all pretense at good manners lost to the debauchery. I can’t believe I thought I’d find some dark conspiracy here, when it’s nothing but a bunch of privileged aristocrats having a good time.

And the true threat was closer than I ever knew.

I shoot a sidelong glance at Saint as he leads me to the terrace. He looks the same as he always has: Devastatingly handsome, with tousled dark hair and stormy blue eyes, and a smile that could tempt me to forget all my inhibitions.

Once, I called him a fallen angel. Now, I wonder if he’s the devil himself.

“I need a drink!” I declare loudly, dropping Saint’s hand. “Be a darling and find me something sparkly? And some snacks too. I’m going to find a bathroom. I’ll be right back.”

I catch a flash concern on his face at my abrupt mood change, but he smiles and nods. “Sweet or savory treats?”

“Surprise me!”

I leave him by the bar and slip through the crowd, back into the huge main house. There’s a bathroom down the hallway, but I head straight for the front doors instead, my heart pounding like I’m staging a jailbreak. Any minute, I expect to hear Saint’s voice, or find him blocking my path, but I keep my head down, ignoring the partygoers all around me until I finally burst outside.

The front drive is busy now, cars still arriving, and dropping people off. Of course, the after-party, I realize. Saint told me that once the official secret society business was over, fresh blood would sneak in to enjoy the fun. It’s how my sister would have wound up here, at a party just like this one. Where she was taken, and held captive in a cell somewhere, while an unknown man did things that she was grateful to never remember.

It couldn’t be Saint.

Swallowing back the bile in my throat, I make a beeline for a cab that’s just dropped off a group of glamorous women. “Can I get a ride back to Oxford?” I ask desperately.

The driver raises his eyebrows, no doubt calculating the massive fare. “No problem, luv. Hop on in.”

I all but lunge for the back seat, keeping my head low as I hold my breath and watch the doors for Saint. But he doesn’t come after me. The driver eases past the rows of gleaming, expensive cars, and heads down the driveway, leaving the bright lights and music of the party behind.

I don’t relax, not for a moment. Not until we’re miles away, speeding through the dark countryside, and I can finally give in to bewildered tears.

“You alright?” the driver glances back in the rearview mirror as I try to stifle my sobs.

“Uh huh,” I make a muffled sound. “Sorry, I just… Bad breakup,” I manage to mutter, and he gives me a sympathetic nod.

“Sorry to hear it, luv. Don’t you worry, you’ll feel better in the morning.”

But as the questions whirl in my mind, I can’t imagine feeling better, ever again. I replay everything that happened tonight, searching for answers, but it just doesn’t add up.

I thought I knew him. I thought he cared about me.

Surely it all wasn’t a lie?

Who are you, Saint?

Back in Oxford,I direct the cab driver to my old student apartment. I moved out just days before—

No, Saint moved me out, I realize, as I trudge up the stairs and unlock the door. He packed me up and moved all my things over to his townhouse. He said it wasn’t safe here, that he wanted to protect me.

All along, was he the one I needed protection from?

To my relief, my old roommates, Jia and Kris, are out tonight, and the apartment is silent. I head straight for my bedroom, and sink down on the mattress, looking around the empty room in shock.

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