Page 145 of Sweetheart: Part One

She jumped violently at the next flash of lightning, her eyes snapping open. I barely paused, desperation wiping everything else away. She was still scared. I had to get her out of here.

I dragged her into my arms and got to my feet. Then I carried her back inside, down the steps and to my room. I shut my bathroom door and sunk down, still clutching her.

Our clothes seeped water across the floor. It would be soaking into the carpet on the other side of the door, too. I blinked the thought away.

I was trembling and my aura was out.

I felt a buzz in my pocket and withdrew my phone. It was waterlogged and the screen was flickering.

Drake: You alright?

I fought with it for a moment, but managed to react with a thumbs up.

I set the phone down, drawing her tighter against my chest, still not daring to look down at her. Instead, I fixed my gaze to the glittering glass chandelier of my bathroom as I tried to put my thoughts straight.

Guilt was new for me. I’d never felt it, not even when it came to Love. That had to be the thing sending tremors through my bones and setting all my hairs on end.

It was fucking horrible.

I couldn’t put it to waste.

My plan had worked.

I clung to that.

I’d broken her. I’d made her afraid enough she’d thought she was going to die, which hadn’t been the intention. I felt worse than I had in my life, but there were no drugs on this planet that wouldn’t have just burned through her system like salt in the rain.

Vex was an omega, and I’d know the truth by morning.

VEX

At some point I blacked out.

The world was a blur and when I could finally anchor myself back into reality, it was to find myself soaking wet and clutched in Ebony’s arms.

I was shaking so hard it felt like my bones were clattering together in their joints. I tried to move, but he was holding me so tight I could barely breathe.

My lungs burned and eyes stung—shit. My contacts.

I blinked a few times. They were there. I could feel them.

But the makeup on my neck…

I closed my eyes, trying to get myself together. My hair was soaking wet and plastered down my back. The bite was in a place it could be shielded even without the makeup.

Ebony wouldn’t see it.

But the drugs. I needed to take another pill tonight, side-effects be damned.

I’d been so afraid… That was on the warning labels—adrenaline induced events can affect the duration.

I’d never been more scared in my life.

A low sob ripped from my throat, remnant shock making it impossible to catch. Around me, Ebony tensed.

Then he was loosening his grip and turning me to face him roughly.

“Are you hurt?”

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