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Zayn: No, we can’t wait.

Chris: She was supposed to text me when she got home.

Nick: She was with me, I brought her to my home.

Liam: Don’t say it like that.

Nick: I can’t do this with you right now.

Zayn: Check in on her on your way TO YOUR ROOM.

Nick: I’m her future husband, I think at one point there will be only one room.

Liam: Don’t you fucking say that.

Zayn: What the fuck.

Noah: This is interesting.

Kai: This is gross.

Ethan: Ok, I think we’re spending the night here, on the group chat.

Ryan: I can’t keep up with all your messages.

Ryan: Nick, tell them Ser is fine and let’s end this.

Nick: I repeat, Sierra is in her room. I can’t go there right now to check. You’ll talk to her tomorrow.

Liam: Why can’t you go?

Zayn: Yeah, why?

Nick: …

Liam: NICKOLAS!

Zayn: Nick…

I drop my phone on the kitchen island and stare up at the ceiling, unmoving.

The room is dim, lit only by the streetlight slipping through the curtains. The quiet buzz of the city outside is the only thing grounding me.

My mind’s completely blown right now. I need to do something—something to show her I respect her, that she can trust me.

If we’re going to be married, there’s no chance we’ll get a divorce. I didn’t want this family thing, but I realize if I have to have one, it’ll be with Sierra. Only her.

I can’t forget the sounds she made earlier tonight, the way her body responded to my touch. I was so close to devour her. I want her so badly. I need her.

Grabbing a glass of water, I decide to go to bed.

Her room’s the first one on the right. As I pass by, I slow down, trying to catch any sound from inside. When I hear nothing, I lift my hand to knock on the door, but I stop myself and go to my room instead.

THIRTEEN

Sierra

I wake up, blinking at the unfamiliar room. For a moment, I can’t place where I am. Then it hits me—I’m in London. In Nick’s house. In his guest room.