Page 19 of Sweetheart: Part One

Fuck. Me.

I drew my thoughts to a screeching halt.

Seriously, what was I thinking?

This was a road bump—I just wasn’t used tonotbeing sure when it came to women. But she’d come around. By the week’s end, I’d be sure she’d take us.

When that happened, I’d get my head on straight and re-evaluate the idea of wanting abetain the pack at all. Then the world Ebony had just turned upside down would be right.

She’d want us and we wouldn’t want her.

We’d go back to normal, and it would be easy to send her off like every other Sweetheart before her.

At the sound of footsteps, Vex straightened, eyes wide as she looked back over the couch.

Ebony emerged from his cave, clearly on his way to the gym—which Love had deliberately made inaccessible from anywhere but the lounge. Not that Love would ever admit it, but I knew it was because if he hadn’t, we might not see Ebony for weeks. Ebony had a habit of hyper-fixating and forgetting to eat, so Love needed a way to check in. Though it could also be because it brought him a little spark of delight, forcing Ebony to show his face when he didn’t want to. He hid it well, but Lovewaspetty when pushed. I was too, I just didn’t feel the need to hide it.

Ebony’s hair was up in a ponytail, straight silver tumbling down his bare back. He was shirtless, dusky tan of his torso on full display. He’d been half-way through wrapping his hands when his gaze found Vex.

Oh, and there it was again, a flood of viciousness through the bond.

He crossed the space toward us.

Drake finally shifted closer to Vex, and Love leaned forward in his chair as if he might have to intervene again—but he said nothing.

What Ebony did, however, was just one of the many things that made him different.

I lived among sharks; I’d seen intimidation from directors, spoiled actors, or managers—no one was beneath it. Most people might cross the room and perch on the arm of the couch as a statement. Then they’d come up with a reason to be there—start a conversation with Love or Drake, for example, all the while making Vex uncomfortable.

Ebony was bound by no such social graces—and I couldn’t deny a certain level of respect for that. He didn’t come up with shit, he just levelled his hatred at her in those vicious, storm-cloud eyes as he continued to steadily wrap his fists with black fabric.

He was an intimidating guy: six-foot-five of pure, packed, dusky muscle wrapped up in ice-cold psychopath—a psychopath he wasn’t hiding from Vex at all, like he did most of the world.

“Ebony—”

“Why is she still here?” He cut Drake off, tone pure ice.

Vex sunk right into the crook of Drake’s arm, and he finally took the hint, tugging her against him in the face of Ebony.

Ebony wasn’t the only one staring between them in shock. Love was watching Drake with interest, his gaze like mine, drawn to their point of contact. Drake was looking at her like she was the only one in the room, and I felt his protectiveness stirring through the bond.

Ebony’s eyes darkened, just the slightest curl to his lips.

Fuck.

He hated her.

Hereally, really hated her.

“I’m thinking of signing the contract.” The insane words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. I had no regrets. Not when Ebony’s eyes snapped to me with as much hatred as he held for Vex. I couldn’t help my smile, thrill like lightning in my veins. Ebony’s pressure points were so rare I was beginning to think they were a myth. But I’d just offered her the signature she needed.

Everyone was staring at me, and Vex’s pretty lips were parted in shock, her eyes wide.

Evenlessregrets.

Love didn’t groan, but he might as well have through the bond.

Drake’s skin was even paler than usual and he held her closer. “Mate… Don’t bring her into this.” He looked horrified.

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