Page 28 of Silver Tears

“Well, even if Damon doesn’t kill you, Luca definitely will.”

Seb shrugs his shoulders as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. “I can handle myself, Mills, don’t you worry.”

“Who said I was worried?” I reply with a dismissive snort. “It’s your grave you're digging with this farce relationship, not mine.”

I collect my food and he takes my tray from me, holding my other hand in his, and walks us over to their table.

The infamous Aces table.

The one everyone dreams of having a seat at.

Seb drops into his seat and pats his lap. I narrow my eyes at him. He arches a brow and silently reminds me of who is in control here. Biting my tongue, I drop onto his lap, and he wraps a possessive arm across my middle.

“Kiss me,” he whispers in my ear. “You haven’t seen me since this morning, and you’ll have missed me.”

I want to say no. I want to tell him he can shove this whole blackmail situation as far as the sun doesn’t shine. But I can’t have my brothers or my dad finding out about my betrayal. Fuming inside, I lift my head slightly and he drops his down and our lips meet. I close my eyes and kiss him.

“Okay, some of us are trying to eat,” Vee warns, nudging her brother’s shoulder.

I feel Seb’s smile against my lips as he pulls away. “Now you know how I feel, sis, when I have to endure you and Rafe sucking faces.” Seb rests his hand on my leg and moves his finger in barely there circles, causing goosebumps to erupt all over my skin. I try to look non-plussed, shoving a handful of fries into my mouth. “Feed me a chip.”

I pause mid-chew and side-glare at him. “No,” I hiss under my breath. He is taking the piss now. I am not sitting here feeding him!

He nips gently at my leg, keeping his adoring smile on his face. “Yes.”

Flushing scarlet in the cheeks, I hold out a chip for him and grinning; he takes it from me. He is loving the power he has over me, and I hate him for it.

“Don’t look now, but Tam’s just walked in and clocked you have someone on your lap,” Archer warns, keeping his eyes trained on us. My eyes immediately scan the room until I spot the infamous Tamara. Her scowl could cut glass. She glares across the room at me with such venom.

Rafe whistles under his breath. “Oh dear, she really isn’t happy.”

“Fuck her,” Eliza growls, glaring over at Tam. “She needs to wake up and get the memo.”

Seb seems oblivious. He nuzzles into my neck and plays with a strand of my hair. “Stop it,” I snap, “You’re making it worse.”

He chuckles in my ear. “She needs to understand loud and clear that I’m no longer an option.”

Oh, I think she gets the message. She slams down her tray on the food counter, and it echoes across the large space. The look she sends my way makes me think I’m about to meet my maker.

“I can’t do this,” I whisper in his ear, sheer panic taking over. He taps my leg and gestures for me to get up. Confused, I stand from his lap, and he jumps to his feet, slinging his arm over my shoulder.

“Mills and I are going to scarper. Tam’s making her uncomfortable,” he explains to the others and makes me feel like a complete sap.

“She gives you any bother. You let me know, okay?” Eliza says, winking at me. “We got your back. You're one of us now.”

I nod my head and allow Seb to guide me through the sea of tables, aware that everyone stares as we pass by. “Where are we going?”

“To the library to get handsy.”

I jab him in the ribs with my elbow discreetly. “You can keep your hands to yourself.”

“Relax,” he replies with an easy chuckle. “We won’t really make out, but other people won’t know that.”

By the time we reach the library, I’m seething at the events from the cafeteria. Seb takes my hand and guides me down one of the quiet rows towards the back of the large library. As soon as we are away from prying eyes and ears, I shove at his chest and crowd him in.

“First, I am not feeding you. It makes me look pathetic. Two.” I hold up two fingers. “I am not sitting on your knee every lunchtime like some lap dog.”

“And three?” he asks, sighing in boredom.

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