Текст книги "Vicious secrets"

Автор книги: Morgan Bridges

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Текущая страница: 6 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

Chapter 16DELILAH

I’ve lost my freaking mind.

I start up at the intricate wrought-iron gate stretched between two large brick posts with ivy crawling up their weathered sides. The posts are topped with ornate, black, iron lamps that pierce the shadows with their light. Behind the gate is the castle.

Large trees stand tall like sentries, their branches shielding parts of the building under a leafy canopy. The structure itself is a behemoth of brick and mortar. There are a number of windows lit up inside, signs of life within something so ancient.

In the gentle breeze, the gate emits a soft groan like a warning. I blow out a breath and fight the urge to glance over my shoulder for the millionth time since we started this “adventure.” When I shift my stance, the gravel underneath my shoes elicits a crunching noise that has Raven’s gaze zeroing in on me.

“Isn’t this exciting?” she whisper-shouts.

I nod. “About as exciting as the prospect of pap smear.”

“What about you, June?” Raven asks. “Are you having regrets too?”

The woman shakes her head. “Nope. I’m already trying to figure out how to scale the wall.”

“Won’t it be difficult in that skirt?”

“Skirts are good for straddling walls and men.” She winks at me, but her humor is quickly replaced with a look of determination. “We can’t see shit from here. The only option is to go forward.”

Raven tilts back her head. “You mean upward. It’s not too high though.”

“I know this whole thing started because of me, but I feel like I should be the voice of reason,” I say. “Shouldn’t we be concerned with cameras and lights with motion sensors? Not to mention security and possibly dogs?”

“This is a fraternity, not fucking Alcatraz,” Ravens says with an eye-roll. “Besides, I know a girl who blows a guy who knows a guy that was able to hack the cameras and make sure our entrance goes unnoticed. The game is afoot, Watson.”

I think about Ben and how much he means to me. At one point my foster brother was willing to give up his scholarship to keep me safe. I can do no less. Something in my gut churns at his continued silence. This goes beyond paranoia and self-consciousness.

Ben is in danger.

“Listen,” Raven says, pulling me from my musings, “If a security team spots us, we’ll just say that we were dared to come here by some boys. They’ll probably take pity on us. Right, June?”

“Probably.” She shrugs. “A little flirtation goes a long way.”

“That’s the spirit. Let's do this shit!” Raven turns around and threads her fingers. “I’m the tallest, so you guys have to go first. Get your ass up there, June. Delilah, you’re next.”

With the grace of a ballet dancer, June steps on Raven’s clasped hands and leaps up to catch the lowest branch of the nearest oak. The hem of her trench coat flutters behind her like a pair of wings. She pulls herself smoothly onto the wall and grins down at us.

My heart kicks into overdrive watching her standing up there. Too late for second guesses or common sense now. Raven turns to look at me.

“It’s time to engage those happy chemicals or the panic ones. Either works.”

“I don’t think that’s going to help…”

She laces her fingers to provide a foothold and then practically hurls my ass over the wall the second my shoe makes contact with her palms. I wildly scramble to grab onto the branch, with June assisting by yanking on my arm. Once I’m standing on the wall, I look down at Raven with a shit-eating grin.

She returns it. “Onward and upward!”

Like a squirrel with glue on its paws, Raven launches herself at the branch, her height giving her an advantage. June and I steady her once she reaches the platform and she giggles.

“That was awesome. I’ve never felt so alive.” She does a quick sweep on the area and waves at us. “Follow me. Up ahead there’s a tree we can scale down.”

“‘Scale down’ and hacking security cameras…” I mutter. “It’s like you’re an undercover agent.”

Raven glances at me over her shoulder. “Maybe I am.”

“I think you guys should shut up,” June whispers.

My roommate flips her off. Within seconds, she’s shimming along a branch and then drops down onto the grass with a muffled curse. Before I can ask her if she’s okay, June takes off after her, landing like a ninja beside Raven.

Raven plants her hands on her hips. “Come on, Delilah. Don’t be a pussy.”

“I’m not,” I grit out. “I’m just trying not to break my neck.”

I take a deep breath and inch forward along the thick branch. My palms turn slick when I wobble precariously, but I manage to lower myself to a safe height. The only thing left to do is jump.

“Fuck it.”

My tennis shoes hit the grass, and I grunt at the impact. Sweet relief floods my system, making me a little giddy.

“Who’s the pussy now?” I ask Raven.

“Not my Watson. Now, let’s go.”

I glance up at the formidable structure of the castle, a monolith of strength and masculinity. As we get closer, the detailed stonework and peaked roofs come into view. Ivy clings possessively to the sides of the building in tangled vines. It’s eerie and beautiful.

My footsteps falter at my brief distraction, and Raven glances at me over her shoulder. “I’ll buy you the audio tour later, nerd. Focus.”

With June behind me, we follow my deranged roommate to a darkened window on the far east side of the property. I plaster myself against the brick wall and frantically scan the area. There are still no signs of alarm or any indication we’ve been spotted.

Raven grips the edge of the window with a grunt, pushing her shoulder against the flat surface. She blows out a breath of frustration. It fogs up the glass she’s been unsuccessfully trying to raise for several seconds.

“Ugh, this thing won’t budge,” Raven says. Several profane but creative words flow from her after that.

I shift from one foot to the other. I’m not sure what my friend’s plan was supposed to be. Did she really think a window would just magically open for us? I guess I’ll have to question her methods beforehand next time.

Oh, my fuck. Do I really think I’ll do this again?

“The window is either painted or nailed shut,” Raven says. “We need something to pry it open. Any ideas, Watson?”

I open my mouth to inform her that she should’ve thought of that before we attempted to commit a crime, but June steps between us. She reaches into her coat and holds out a slim metal tool. My eyes widen when the moonlight catches it.

“Is that a mini-crowbar?” I ask.

June nods. “How else did you think we were going to get inside? Witchcraft?”

I give Raven a pointed look. “Someone did.” After turning back to look at June, I scrunch my face. “Where was that thing hiding? I never saw the outline in the material of your clothing.”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Raven lets out a cackle and swipes the object from June’s hand. Twirling the metal rod, my roommate wedges it under the widow seam with a confidence I find disturbing. For a rich girl, she’s familiar with shady shit.

Or maybe that’s why.

After a few seconds of strained prying, the pane gives way with a loud crack, the sound like a gunshot in the quiet. Raven straightens with a manic grin while I stand there with my heart beating so hard my chest starts to ache.

“Huzzah!” she whisper-shouts. “We’re in.”

“There’s no way someone didn’t hear that,” I say.

June nods, her gaze wide as it zips from side to side. “We better hurry. Raven, move your ass.”

My roommate hands the crowbar back to June and retrieves her phone from her pocket. After turning on the flashlight feature, she inspects the dark opening.

“Damn. It’s a long drop, and there’s nothing to climb down on.” She hoists herself onto the window ledge, wiggles a little and leans forward. “Like, how committed are we, guys?”

“Committed enough to risk a misdemeanor.” The deep masculine voice has all of us gasping. “Or maybe you’re just taking the scenic route?”

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Chapter 17DELILAH

I’m going into fucking cardiac arrest.

My crazy imagination convinces me that my heart is about to jump out of my body. I slap a hand to my chest while sucking in gulps of air. The organ beats rapidly against my palm like a cry for freedom.

Raven freezes on the window ledge, her face pale and eyes widening as the flashlight from her phone illuminates her features. “Where the fuck did you come from?”

June retrieves the crowbar and whirls around with the tool raised in defense. “Oh, it’s you.”

The familiarity in her voice gives me the courage to slowly turn around.

The owner of the deep voice stands in the shadows, wearing jeans and a black hoodie that assists in concealing his face. My brain sparks with the memory from years ago when I faced a different hooded individual.

He still haunts me to this day.

I stand there, vacillating between panic at having been caught and a curiosity that always gets the best of me. June sounds unafraid. I focus on the identity of the stranger as opposed to what he’s going to do.

“Come on, X,” June says, waving the crowbar. “I’d recognize you anywhere.”

He steps forward. “Interesting.”

Raven, still perched on the window ledge like—well, a raven—shines her phone in his direction. “To answer your question, we’re taking the scenic route. Obviously.”

The light finally reveals his face. His mouth is twisted in a smirk, and his eyes are liquid silver, beautiful despite twinkling with something hostile.

His attention shifts to June. “Still unable to keep your nose out other people’s fucking business?”

She shrugs. “Old habits die hard.”

“What were you looking for?” he asks.

My roommate jumps down to stand next to me. “Now who’s not minding their own fucking business?”

“Anything concerning the Order is my business,” he says. “What are you doing here?”

“Why should we tell you? If you’re going to be a narc, just go ahead and do it,” Raven says. She folds her arms and lifts her chin. “My dad will make those charges disappear faster than you can bust a nut.”

He shifts his gaze to me. “What about you? What the fuck are you doing here?”

I point to myself. Like a dumb ass.

When Xavier nods, I snap out of whatever trance he’s put me in. I said I wanted answers, and now that I’m faced with someone who could actually give them to me, I can’t walk away.

Like Raven said, don’t be a pussy.

“I’m looking for Benjamin Johnson, um—McKenzie. I know he’s part of this group, and I need to talk to him.” I pause for emphasis although my worry is genuine. “It’s an emergency. Have you seen him?”

Xavier’s caustic expression shifts. It’s slight, possibly a trick of the moonlight, but I swear I catch it. “Yeah, I have.”

“Where is he? Is he okay?”

He shakes his head. “I’m not telling you anything. Like some people,” he says, looking at June, “you need to learn to mind your fucking business. If I catch you here again, even your daddy’s bank account won’t be able to save your ass.”

He gives Raven a mocking look. She flips him off.

His refusal ignites something fierce and primal in my soul. Benjamin could be hurt or in danger… and this guy is treating it like it’s a joke. Well, fuck him.

Fury propels me forward to jab my finger hard against his chest. He blinks, surprise skating over his features.

“Listen here, fuckbucket!” I say. “You better tell me exactly where Ben is, or I’m going to…”

I don't get to elaborate my threat as Xavier's brows draw downward. “You’re going to what exactly? Cry? Slap me? Or maybe you’ll try and stab me, little raptor?”

The impact of those two words is like a punch to the gut. My breath wheezes from me while my insides clench until I’m shaking from lack of oxygen. My lips tremble with questions I’m too scared to ask.

Did I imagine what he said?

“She’s not a fucking dinosaur,” Raven says.

I guess I didn’t make that up. This guy is the same one from all those years ago…

My roommate walks over to stand in front of me while Xavier continues to stare down at me. I peek at him from behind her shoulder, my body shaking uncontrollably. His eyes pierce me, carving into my mind like the knife I used to stab him. I’m unable to look away no matter how badly I want to.

“We’re leaving,” Raven says.

Her voice slices through the charged atmosphere, snapping me out of my stupor. I avert my gaze and focus on breathing to keep from passing out. His words echo in my mind, making my head pound.

This can’t be happening.

Xavier flicks his wrist in a dismissive motion, but the air ripples with tension. I look at him one more time.

Memories of a hooded figure surface in my mind’s eye, intertwining with the man in front of me, leaving me caught between the past and the present.

June places a hand on my arm. The unexpected touch sends a jolt through me, and I suck in a lungful of air, barely halting my scream at the last second.

Her brow furrows as her eyes search mine. Whatever she sees on my face has her putting an arm around me.

I probably look like a candidate for a psych ward. I certainly feel like I’ve lost my mind. All of this can’t be a coincidence.

Right?

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Chapter 18DELILAH

The entire trek back to the dorm room is done in silence. Thank fuck. It gives me enough time to come up with a story to tell my friends. But it’s not long enough for me to get my shit together.

The door clicks shut behind us and Raven whirls to face me. I sink onto my bed and mentally prepare myself for the interrogation that’s about to commence. I’m not disappointed.

“What the fuck just happened?” She looks from me to June and back again. “Both of you have tea you need to spill. One of you better start talking.”

The blonde plops down beside me with a sigh. “I’ll go first. I know I said that I was pissed at Declan for dumping me for no reason, but I’m not…” She pauses and nibbles on her fingernail before continuing. “I’m not over him, okay?”

“So, what, you’re a stalker?” Raven asks. “I mean, I approve, but is that why Xavier accused you of not minding your business?”

“Kind of. I didn’t understand why Declan ended things all of a sudden. We were happy. Like stupid happy, and then it was over.” She snaps her fingers. “Just like that. When I tried talking to him to get him to explain things, he outright refused. Naturally, I did what any woman would do.”

Raven nods in understanding. “You tried to kill him.”

“No,” June says with a frown. “I followed him to see if he was with another woman.”

“Or that.”

“Anyway, Declan wasn’t with another woman, but the place he went to was… weird.”

Her hesitation has me reaching over to grip her hand. I give it a tiny squeeze to show my support. “It’s okay. You don’t have to share anything you don’t want to.”

Raven blows out a raspberry. “The fuck she doesn’t. Now I really need to know what’s going on.”

“It’s fine,” June says to me. “I’ve been holding this in for months. It was a medical research facility. It’s known for its cutting-edge experiments and research. At least, that’s what the internet said.”

I retract my arm and fold my hands in my lap. “I’m still waiting for the weird part.”

“Yeah, get to the good shit.” Raven rubs her hands together. “Weird how?”

“There was a room, dimly lit, with some shady-ass looking people,” June says. “I grew up poor, so I know fucked-up when I see it. Just because the men were wearing expensive suits doesn’t mean they were legitimate. I only saw one person with a lab coat. In a research setting, that’s not normal, but that’s not what scared me.”

“Zombies,” Raven says. “I knew it.”

“No. I saw several organs being put into containers, like for a transplant.”

My eyes widen. “But there weren’t any recipients there?”

“Not that I could see.”

“Dude, organ trafficking is wild.” Raven starts pacing, clasping and unclasping her hands. “Isn’t the Kent family behind the funding of a shit ton of hospitals and research facilities? I swear, every time I turn around, I find their name on a band-aid or a clinic pamphlet.”

June nods. “At first, I thought Declan dumped me because of another woman. Now, I’m thinking it was because I’m not good enough for his family. You’d think being a mathematical genius would score me some points, but I guess with him being from a founding family, they don’t want to pollute the bloodlines.”

“What does that have to do with Xavier?” I ask.

“They’re best friends,” June says. “I just assumed Declan told him. I only followed my ex the one time. After that, I left him alone.”

She holds out her hands in supplication. “Let me be clear. I don’t want to spread rumors, and this entire thing is complete speculation on my part. If Declan is actually involved in that shit, I don’t want to know.”

“Well, I do,” Raven says. When I glare at her, she shrugs. “Fine. Your turn, Delilah.”

I take a deep breath to compose myself. It doesn’t work, but I continue anyway. If I don’t, I’m positive Raven will bury me under the floorboards.

“I’m not sure how to say this without freaking you guys out,” I say.

Raven squeals. “I love this kind of stuff.” She sits on the bed next to me with a huge grin. “Talk dirty to me, roomie.”

“Don’t interrupt me, or I won’t get it out,” I say. When she mimes zipping her lips, I take the plunge. “I stabbed a guy three years ago.”

Raven makes a strangled sound that’s half-shock, half-glee. To her credit, she doesn’t say a word.

“Long story short, I thought my foster parent was going to kill my foster brother, Ben. They were fighting in the kitchen, and I did the first thing I could think of to stop Frank from hitting him. I stabbed him. It worked.”

I release a nervous laugh. “Then I waited at the top of the stairs all night in case he wanted to get revenge on me. Well, someone else walked up the stairs, and I stabbed him too.”

“Holy…” June says.

“Fuckballs,” Raven finishes.

“I know, right? Anyway, the intruder left, and I was moved to another foster home. That’s pretty much it. But seeing Xavier in that black hoodie reminded me of that night. I think I was having a PTSD kind of moment.”

The events from that night altered my life in a significant way. More than I can ever reveal to my friends. They exchange glances filled with shock and concern before they look at me again.

Raven pats my shoulder. “You are one badass motherfucker, and I’m proud to be your friend.”

“I’m a little scared of you, but same,” June says with a wink.

“Do you know why he called you ‘little raptor?’” Raven scrunches up her face. “That was a random ass thing to say.”

I shake my head. “No idea.”

But I’m going to find out.

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Chapter 19DELILAH

The soles of my shoes make no sound against the asphalt as I chase after Xavier Donovan. However, my breathing is loud as hell. I sound like a pug being strangled.

Cardio has never been my thing.

Apparently, stalking is.

Xavier has been on my mind all of last night and every minute of today. I haven’t been able to concentrate on anything except the questions that have haunted me for years. My need for answers from that night, and to know what’s going on with Ben, had taken over, possessed me until I no longer recognize myself.

I’m following a man who has confessed to murder.

For me.

Maybe that’s why I’m not as frightened as I should be. I mean, my legs are shaking, but I’m not scared enough to walk away. That’d be the smart thing to do.

I’m a fucking idiot.

Xavier weaves between the vehicles with a lethal grace, his steps confident and sure. I trail behind, struggling to keep up although I’m jogging. He leads me further into the maze of the parking lot. Row after row of expensive cars are lined up like soldiers awaiting a general. Only the occasional pair of headlights cuts through the darkness surrounding me.

“Wait!” I call out, the sound of my voice startling me.

He pauses halfway down an aisle and slowly turns to face me. The moon hangs low in the sky, but it chooses that exact moment to break through the clouds, creating shadows all around him. Except for a sliver of light that rests against his mouth. Like three years ago, Xavier smirks at me, lips twisted with amusement.

I come to an abrupt halt as memories of him flood my mind.

“Because no one touches what’s mine.”

“What the hell do you want?” he asks.

His question yanks me from my thoughts. I remain in the middle of the road, unable and unwilling to get any closer. I’m not sure any amount of distance between us would make me feel safe.

Every question I’ve ever thought of rushes from my brain to land on my tongue. It feels heavy in my mouth, but I force myself to say something, anything that’ll get this conversation going.

“Why me?”

He tilts his head. “Why not?”

I blink. “That’s not an answer.”

“It is, but not the one you want to hear.”

He’s right. What did I expect? I shake my head at my ignorance. And my ability to forget everything else when he’s near. Even Ben.

Xavier leans against the nearest car and withdraws a cigarette. He lights it up and takes a slow drag, his silver gaze boring into me. Smoke spirals lazily from his nostrils like a dragon. My skin nearly bursts into flame from the heat of his gaze.

“Where’s Ben?” I ask.

Xavier takes another long pull on his cigarette, his lips wrapping around the object in a way I find distracting. No man should have such a sensuous mouth. Or be this attractive.

It’s just fucking rude.

“He’s safe.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“But that’s all you need to know.” He puts out his cigarette by jabbing it against the hood of a Porsche before tossing it to the ground. “The next time you think to come looking for me, don’t.”

“Can you give Ben a message for me?”

Xavier continues to look at me with his arms folded across his chest. That’s not exactly a yes, but it’s not a refusal either.

“Tell him that I’m⁠—”

The screech of tires and the smell of burning rubber assaults my senses. I spin toward the sound, my hair flying off my shoulders. The glare of headlights stabs at my eyes, forcing me to squint and raise a hand to block the light. The purr of the engine becomes a roar, getting closer with every breath.

My protective instincts scream at me to move and I lift my foot, but everything’s in slow motion. Before I can take a full step, a powerful blow sends me flying. The impact squeezes the air from my lungs.

The world goes blurry, and I blink several times to put things into focus. I’m lying on something hard, but it’s not concrete.

It’s Xavier.

“Delilah?”

He says my name like a caress. It sweeps over me, his breath skimming my lips. I stare down at him, more in shock at the tenderness in his voice than the car that could’ve killed me.

Gray eyes meet mine, the hue churning with concern. And something else I can’t identify. Whatever it is has adrenaline flooding my system.

Xavier reaches up to frame my face with both hands. The slight shifting of his position reminds me that our bodies are flush, causing my heart to beat frantically. More so because he’s touching me.

“Are you hurt?”

I continue staring at him, unable to form words. His expression has softened, but the lines around his eyes and mouth speak of deep worry. For me. Not in a good samaritan type of way either. It’s intimate.

“Answer me, or I’m going to lose my fucking mind,” he snaps.

“Huh?”

He shakes his head, a wry smiling tugging at his mouth. “I guess that counts.”

The haze of shock begins to lift, the gravity of my near miss sinking in. I shake my head to dislodge his hold from my face so I can think clearly. “What happened?”

“Besides you trying to get run over? Not much.”

I plant my hands on the asphalt and lift myself, peering around the parking lot. It’s the same as it was before, quiet and void of pedestrians.

“It’s really dark out here,” I say, still scanning the area. “It was an accident.”

He makes a noncommittal noise deep in his throat. Right before sliding his hands up to encircle my waist. I drop my gaze to him, my brows snapping together.

“Xavier?”

He drags his fingers along my sides, across my back and upward until he’s lightly gripping my neck with both hands. I remain still throughout his exploration, but my heart ricochets in my chest like a wayward bullet.

“What are you doing?” My voice comes out breathy. Husky.

“I’m checking you for injuries.”

“Oh.”

That sounds logical. Considerate, even. If it was someone else…

I stare down at the man underneath me as he continues to trail his fingers along my body, leaving my skin tingling under my clothes. His scrutiny is like a touch all on its own. It runs over my face, stopping on my mouth before he drags his gaze back to mine. Only now, there’s a glint in his silver eyes, making them shine like starlight.

“I’m fine,” I say. The tiny whisper is all I can manage. Being this close to him has my mind deadening and my body coming alive.

“I’ll be the one to decide that.”

My lips purse. “You don’t own me.”

“Not yet.”

“You shouldn’t talk to me like that.”

“Well, get used to it.”

He returns to the column of my throat, stroking it slowly but deliberately. An unspoken message passes from him to me in that tiny caress. This man could kill me. But the reverence in his touch is what keeps me from running.

To be cradled in the hands of a demon is unsettling. And thrilling.

“I told you, I’m fine,” I say, hardening my tone.

“I believe you’ll live, little raptor.”

His words send a shiver through me. I know the second he feels my body’s involuntary movement. The barest smirk plays about his lips. The sensual expression makes me want to moan. And then punch him in the face.

“I have so many questions,” I say. “Not just about Ben, but about that night.” My confession fills the space between us. I take a deep breath as if I can pull it back into my body where it’s safe from him. Xavier keeps stealing it from me.

The skin around his jaw tightens, but the sly expression remains. “Not tonight.”

“When?”

His fingers, still lingering on my neck, tighten their grip. “When it’s safe.”

The intensity of his answer resonates somewhere deep. It’s a cryptic promise, laden with the weight of secrets that I’m not yet privy to. Not yet.

“I just want to understand,” I say. “Don’t you get that?”

“I’m very familiar with wanting something I can’t have.”

My breath catches at the raw yearning in his voice, the hunger that ignites something inside me. The irrational allure that surrounds him snakes around me, coiling and unmovable. Leaving me helpless.

Xavier lifts his hand to brush a tendril of hair away from my cheek, tucking the errant strand behind my ear. Our eyes stay locked as he lightly grips my jaw and strokes my bottom lip.

“A predator should never desire its prey.”

“I’m not prey.” My voice betrays me with the smallest warble. Is the tremor from fear? Or fascination? “And you’re not just any predator.”

Xavier smiles. It’s wistful, pricking my heart, making it bleed the tiniest bit for him. What has he gone through to think this way?

And what’s wrong with me for being drawn to him?

“Are you going to get off of me now?” he asks.

My cheeks blaze with embarrassment. I look down at our bodies, flush with one another and our legs entwined. I’ve been laying on this man like a pillow-top mattress. Except he was hard.

Everywhere.

I scramble to my feet and wrap my arms around my middle to fortify myself. And create a barrier between us. The awkwardness that prickles my skin quickly removes all thoughts of attraction.

“Sorry,” I mumble, unable to meet his gaze.

Xavier gets to his feet in one fluid motion that has my eyes widening. He has control over his body in a way that most people don’t. It’s the reason he was able to save me from getting run over, while also landing with me on top to cushion my fall.

“No need to apologize.” He pulls his black hood over his head, his gray eyes gleaming at me from underneath. “It’s not every day a beautiful woman sexually assaults me.”

I look at him, not bothering to hide my appreciation of his physical appearance. “I doubt that.”

He shrugs. “It’s never the one I want. Until tonight.”

I open my mouth to say something sarcastic, or possibly stupid, but he juts out his chin in a silent command. “Go straight to your dorm. I’ll know if you don’t listen to me.”

His authoritative response has me flipping him off. He laughs at my act of rebellion. The sound is like melted caramel, sinking into my stomach and making me jittery.

“What about Ben?” I ask. “I need to speak to⁠—”

Xavier shakes his head. “Good night, little raptor.”

He turns his back to me and walks into the darkness, blending in with the shadows. The only reason I know he’s there is the sound of his footsteps. They gradually fade, taking my answers with them.

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