Page 49 of PET

“Never underestimate your opponent,” I say with a smirk. “Come on, Billie.”

I slip my hand into hers, lacing our fingers as I guide her out of the dining room. She’s going to stay at my place now. I can’t have Mr. Veradin anywhere near her—I don’t trust him. And it’s probably the one thing Christian and I will agree on.

Chapter 20

BILLIE LUCAS

“Whatisthatguy’sfucking problem?” I ask as soon as we leave the Veradin estate, feeling a bit violated knowing he watched us way longer than he should have.

Zeke laces his fingers back in mine, pulling me toward his car. “It’s about to be me if he doesn’t watch himself. We’re not coming back here anymore.”

The blood drains from my face as I stumble behind him. Christian’s place has become my safe place, believe it or not, so not being able to come back here sucks. And all because his dad is a total fucking creep. The only place left is school, and it sucks there. Who wants to be some place where everyone picks on you? Yeah, it’s not fun.

“We can hang at my place for now. My parents are still in Greece or Morocco, or wherever the fuck it is they are.”

I’ve always liked Zeke’s house. His parents might not be home often, but his housekeeper—I forget her name—has always made those massive walls feel like a home. She’s the reason Zeke has turned out to be the great guy he is, and I hope he sees that.

“What about Christian?” I inquire, chewing nervously on the inside of my cheek.

Zeke groans. “He’s a big boy. He’ll find us.”

His phone beeps immediately after he speaks. Reaching into his back pocket, he pulls out his phone and chuckles. “Speak of the devil.”

Christian never told us what he was doing or where he was going. He’s been very elusive since getting his ankle bracelet off. I shouldn’t complain because I really have been enjoying my time with Zeke, but I’ve also enjoyed my time with Christian, too. And I still don’t fully understand what’s going on between the three of us.

They wanted me to betheirpet, but so far, I’ve only been with them individually. The tension building between the two of them is uncomfortable as hell, too. I really need to figure out what the deal is before it tears us apart because before this thing started between us, we were all friends.

“Yeah, I’m still with her at your place, but we’re leaving because your dad came home and made Billie feel uncomfortable,” Zeke says into the phone, peering over at me.

I hate how I can’t hear what Christian is saying. Zeke keeps his eyes on me, listening intently.

“Yeah, I can do that.” He hangs up without another word and pockets his phone again. He’s acting strange, but I can’t figure out why.

“What did he say?” I ask because I want to know, damn it.

Zeke doesn’t answer right away, storming to his car before he slaps the roof. “Come on, little slut, we gotta fly.”

I rush toward him, the gravel beneath my feet crunching as I go. “You probably shouldn’t call me that so loudly.” I glance around to see if any of the Veradin estate gardeners are around, but none are.

He throws me his pantie-soaking smirk, shaking his head. “For you, I’ll keep that one between us. What should I call you in public, then?”

As we get into his car, I honestly take a second to think about it. Christian calls me little hellfire, which is appropriate for the public, but it’s his thing. And I love the idea of having a special pet name from each of them.

Zeke reaches over and grabs my chin, turning my head to look at him. He’s dangerously close, leaning over the center console as we stare into each other’s eyes. My heart hammers as I lick my lips, waiting for the moment he kisses me. I love the way his mouth feels on mine, the way our bated breaths mix when we finally taste each other.

“What would you like me to call you, Billie?” he asks softly, his breath dancing across my lips.

I part my lips and look down at his, inching closer until our noses barely touch. The corner of his mouth turns up into a smirk before he slowly licks his lips, teasing me.

Then he kisses me. It’s an all-consuming kiss. He starts with my top lip, then my bottom lip, tracing his tongue as I open for him. Our tongues twist and taste as he slips both hands around my neck and pulls me closer.

When he breaks the kiss and leans back, he lets out a small laugh and starts the car.

“Hot lips. Yeah, it’s fitting.” He glances over and smirks. “You ready to go, hot lips?”

I’m still on cloud nine, buzzing all over from that kiss, but somehow I give a brief nod. He speeds away from the Veradin estate and heads toward Reaper Academy.

“Where are you taking me? I thought we were going to your place…”

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