Page 58 of Made in Malice

I replay our encounter in the cafeteria, but I know I didn’t touch her, so there’s no way I did what she said, and then the image of Alden grabbing her by the arm and pulling her out of the chair fills my mind. I didn’t think anything of it at the time.

I might have been a little irritated that he took her away before I was done with her, but it never dawned on me that he could have hurt her.

“Alden did this to you.” I crouch in front of her, and she seems to be shocked by the shift of positions, because her eyes are wide and leery.

“Not intentionally,” she defends, even though it wasn’t a question.

“Is this why he hasn’t been around?”

“No, I never needed a bodyguard.”

“Did you tell the Umbras what he did?” I’m a little surprised that my voice is as calm as it is, considering how pissed off I am.

“No, it was an accident. He didn’t mean it.”

“Why did you say it was from provoking Lucian if it was Alden who did it?” Nox chimes in. I almost forgot he was here.

“Because that’s why he hauled me out of the lunchroom. I was antagonizing him, like usual,” she says in a tone that makes it clear she’s repeating something she heard.

“He said that?”

“Among other things,” she mumbles, then tilts her head to the side. “Is he really your cousin?”

“Who told you that?” I scoff, dismissing the question. What the hell else did he tell her?

“You did, you called him cuz,” she announces.

“No, I didn’t.” Damn it, I must have, and I don’t even remember saying that.

My lamb narrows her eyes, then crosses her arms, covering up her tits, and I want to pull her hands down for cutting off my view. “Liar.” The tip of her pretty pink tongue touches her top lip with her accusation.

“He’s only related by blood. We don’t claim him as family anymore.” I give her a little truth since I’ve demanded so much from her.

“Why?” She quickly lowers her head and lifts her hands in surrender. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. It’s none of my business. Have I answered enough of your questions today, King Pretty Boy?”

“Hardly,” I grunt, then rise to my feet. It’s the first time I’ve ever lowered myself for a woman, and I didn’t even realize the implications until after. I need to fuck her and get her out of my system or get her off this damn island.

NOX

“Can I get back to work now?” Her question comes off a little like a dig, as if him speaking to her at all is an inconvenience. She’s not even aware that everything she does just draws him in more. Lucian has never had to work for attention or for people to bend to his every whim, but she bucks against him every chance she gets, and I’m enjoying watching my brother’s descent into her web. I also quite like knowing I will get to reap the rewards, because what’s his is mine.

“Why not?” Lucian shrugs. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Tonight? You said you’d leave me alone today.” She’s looking up at him with a pouty expression that I know would kill her if she realized just how sweet her appearance is.

“No, lamb, I said day. I would leave you alone for the day. I made no promise about tonight.” Lucian turns his back, a smile playing on his lips, and starts to walk away.

To his back, she calls, “I work tonight, pretty boy. If you get me fired, I’ll…I’ll…”

“Looking forward to it, lamb.”

Nova lets out a growl of frustration when she can’t come up with something to threaten him with fast enough. “He is infuriating!”

“And fiercely loyal and protective to a fault, all while having to bear the cross of being the ugly brother,” I mock as if it’s a tragedy. Nova erupts into a peal of laughter, meaning I hit my mark.

“Yes, the poor baby. I’ll have to keep that in mind the next time I want to poke him in his ugly eye.” When her soft laughter finally subsides, she adds, “I’d be really grateful if you could convince him to leave me alone tonight while I’m at work. I think he almost got me fired last night, and all he did was sit there.”

“You know he’s going to want something in return, Nova.” I lay all the blame at Lucian’s feet, but it’s also the truth.

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