Page 59 of Allegiant

“I need a distraction,” I say, my voice cracking.

Larry turns toward Samson. “You could show him your family home. Lots to see there. Would be a hell of a distraction.”

Samson tenses slightly, his hand faltering on my head. Almost like he doesn’t like the idea.

I swallow hard. “You don’t have to. I can find something else to do today. You’ve done enough.”

Samson grumbles under his breath and then pulls me farther onto his lap, his arms wrapping around me.

“No, I want to show you. Just… You’re going to meet my family. And…well, they’re not normal.”

“Of course they’re not,” Larry interjects, but I’m craning my head back slightly.

“I don’t like normal. If you want me to meet them, I’d love that.” It’s just then that I realize how terrible I must look. “Or maybe not. I’m a fright.”

“You’re beautiful,” Samson replies, holding on to me tighter. “I just don’t want it to be too overwhelming.”

“You mean, you don’t want your opulent wealth to overwhelm him.” Larry smirks.

Samson glares at him pointedly. “You’re one to talk.”

What’s going on now? Larry isn’t wealthy. He wouldn’t be living in this shit-heap of an apartment building if he were.

Larry doesn’t give him a response, just turns the TV on to one of his favorite game shows.

It’s then that Samson adjusts me on his lap, his fingers tilting my chin toward him. “I can take you by, and you can stay as long as you want. Just…know that my family can be a little eccentric. They’ll definitely be distracting.”

“I like that.” I bob my head and pull my bottom lip through my teeth. “But I need to shower first and put on an eye mask. I look… I can’t meet them like this.”

He leans forward and presses a soft, chaste kiss to my lips. “Whatever makes you smile again, Row.”

15

ROWAN

Samson drives us to one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in St. Dismas. Knowing the little I do about the Buckinghams, I’m not surprised by this.

The size of the house he parks outside of, though? That makes my mouth drop open.

“This looks like something out of a Gothic horror story.” I eye the enormous structure looming over us. Countless mullioned windows are dotted through the gray stone walls. A sweeping staircase leads to the front door, with large decorative vases on either side. For some reason, one of them is filled with bright pink plastic flowers. It’s the only spot of color on the dismal facade. “I’m kinda expecting a ghost to jump out at us. It’s spooky.”

“Trust me, it is spooky, but the ones you need to be worried about are very much alive,” Samsons says darkly, scowling up at the house from beside me. “We don’t have to do this. Seriously. My family is…different.”

I chuckle, looping my arm through his. “I could use a little different. It’ll be a nice distraction.”

“You like those, don’t you?”

“I’m very mentally stable.”

He grins down at me, and it makes my heart flutter a little.

With Samson at my side, the darkness has receded. It’s still there, lingering at my heels, nipping every time I stop moving.

So I won’t stop.

I’m already planning on going straight to the studio from here. I don’t have a class tonight, but that’s okay. Derek, grudgingly, lets me dance whenever I need it.

Goes without saying that I’ve needed it a lot the past twelve months.