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“Why didn’t you tell me that you’re a virgin.”

Well, close to it. Not that we did a whole lot, but...we did enough.

Shilo freezes again, his eyes widening, then narrowing as he pats his pockets like he’s forgotten something. “I, uh, think I hear my phone.”

With a frown, I take in the bright red flush on his neck. “I don’t hear anything.”

“Nope, that’s definitely a phone call. I need to take it.” He pulls his phone out before pressing it to his ear. “Hello? Oh, yes, I can talk right now. Sorry, Mr. Callahan, but this call is very important. I have to go!”

“Shilo, you didn’t even unlock your screen,” I call after him, scrubbing a hand over my stubbled cheek with a sigh as the bathroom door swings shut behind him.

Well, that definitely could’ve gone better.

Taking a moment to collect myself, I step out to find Declan and Paige by the elevator. Their attention shifts to me.

“What happened?” Paige asks, her voice tinged with worry.

“He ran out to take a call,” I lie, and her brows shoot up.

“It could be Dad checking on the interview. I’ll go find him.”

She takes a step forward, but pauses, tossing Declan a worried glance over her shoulder.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he laughs, giving her an utterly unprofessional swat on the ass. “We’re still going to hire your brother. Don’t worry.”

We’re what?!

Her shoulders relax, a warm smile lighting up her face as she steps into the elevator. The second the doors close, Declan turns on me.

“What did you do?” he demands, pinning me against the wall by my shoulders, and I bare my teeth at him.

“Me?”

“Yeah, Ry. You. What did you do to that boy?”

“What makes you think I did anything?”

He scoffs, smacking the side of my head. “Because I know you, asshole. We shared a womb.”

“Yes, and I wish I’d eaten you.” Pushing him off me, I let out a breath as I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I didn’t know who he was, alright? I thought...he seemed like he just wanted to fuck.”

“You fucked him?!” His voice jumps five whole octaves. “Oh, my god. Paige is going to kill me. First, she’s going to kill you, and then she’s going to kill me because I’ll have to avenge your death.”

Dec starts to pace, pulling at his curls, and I roll my eyes before grabbing his wrist. “Calm down. We didn’t fuck.” Well... “Not really.”

“Not really?” He blinks, eyes bouncing between mine. “What does that mean, not really? Either you fucked him, or you didn’t.”

“We...” I wince, dropping my gaze when the memories hit me all over again. “I tried to, but...well, he’s small, and I’m a fairly large guy...”

He nearly chokes, looking completely petrified as he grips my shirt. “Did you force yourself on him? Is that why he’s all fucked up?”

“What!?” It’s my turn to shout, shoving him so hard that he nearly flips over a nearby chair. “Stop acting the maggot! Do you really think I’m capable of such a thing, Dec? Christ.”

Declan holds up his hands, his suit now disheveled from our scuffle. “Alright, yeah, I’m sorry. That was too far. But seriously, Ryann, what did you do? Because Paige made it sound horrible.”

Because it was horrible, wasn’t it? I used Shilo for my own pleasure and then tossed him out like nothing. I took what should’ve been a sweet experience and turned it ugly. Twisted.

I broke something precious that wasn’t mine to break.