Page 84 of Devour

He bought it, and that’s just another reason she isn’t safe with anyone but me. I didn’t even have to pull my gun on the idiot.

I park in the circle drive and walk to the front door. I don’t bother ringing the bell. I pound on it with my fist. Anyone nearby is going to fucking hear it. If someone doesn’t answer soon, I’ll kick it in.

It takes a couple minutes before one of the housekeepers finally opens the door. She looks terrified.

“I’m here for Saylor.”

“Sir, it’s early and—”

“I didn’t ask what time it was. Take me to my girlfriend’s room or get out of my way.”

I’ve never called her my girlfriend before. It seems cheesy as fuck when the woman’s already mine. The only label she needs is my name on her body. I’m going to let her tattoo her name on mine too. I’m covered in ink already, but she can pick where it goes. She can cover my entire chest if she wants.

The woman is still staring at me, unsure what to do.

“I just need to see her. Her phone died, and she wanted me to pick her up.” I try to even out my voice so she’s more inclined to do as I ask. “You might recognize me. I was here for dinner before she moved in with me.”

I don’t know how much she knows about our world, but I don’t think explaining how Talons and Doves work is going to help my case. I go to reach for my gun, preparing to do this the hard way, but she motions for me to enter the house.

She leads me upstairs and to the hallway on the right, and we stop at the last door. “This is her room, sir.”

“Thank you,” I say, trying not to snap at her. “I’ve got it from here.”

The maid still doesn’t look certain, but she walks away. I don’t care if she alerts the entire house I’m here. I’ll make this fucking quick and carry Saylor out on my shoulder.

I don’t knock. I turn the handle and push it open.

Saylor’s in the bed. She’s curled on her side with her knees pulled up and her hair matted to her face. The sheets are twisted around her, and she’s naked with her vibrator in her hand. I brush my fingers along her cheek. Her mascara is streaked down her face, and her skin is pale and damp.

What in the actual fuck happened to my girl?

“Saylor.” I grip her shoulders and shake her. “Wake up.”

She doesn’t respond. Her body hangs in my hands, and her eyes stay closed. I shake her harder.

“Saylor. Wake the fuck up.”

Her eyelids flutter and then open halfway. Her pupils are blown so wide there’s barely any color left. She stares at me, but I don’t think she’s seeing me. She’s somewhere else.

I pull the sheet back. Her shirt is pushed up, and she doesn’t have any panties on. The vibrator falls from her hand onto the mattress.

Then I notice the small plastic bag on the nightstand next to her phone. There are two pills left inside. I pick it up to look at them closer.

She took fucking drugs. Goddamn it. I know she and Kynlee do them every now and then, and I never fucking liked it. I don’t want something worse to happen to her.

“Are you fucking kidding me, Saylor?” I toss the bag onto the bed and crouch in front of her face. “How many did you take, baby?”

Her lips part, but the sound that comes out isn’t a word. It’s closer to a whimper. Her hand reaches for me, and her fingers brush my jaw. She squints at my face, and I watch her try to focus.

“Axl?” Her voice is raw and cracked. The sound makes my chest tighten.

“Yeah, it’s me.” I push the hair off her face. “Why did you come to your parent’s house? Why the fuck are you taking drugs?”

Her eyes snap open wider, and then her nostrils flare, and her eyes narrow into slits.

“Get the fuck away from me.” She shoves my chest hard enough that I have to catch myself on the nightstand. I didn’t expect that reaction. “Get out of my room, Axl.”

What the fuck?