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“When you say ‘victim’ it implies there was a crime,” I said. A dull headache started behind my eyes, and I reached back to yank my ponytail loose.

“He got Lupe pregnant,” Travis said, staring me down.

“Pregnant?” I sputtered. Then, “Pregnant?” because apparently that was now the only word in my vocabulary. Heat burned my cheeks as understanding dawned about what Travis thought when he saw Mason flirting with me.

I sank back into the sofa, speechless and hoping he couldn’t read my train of thought. He crouched down in front of me and put a hand on my knee.

“Look, I’m sorry, okay? But it’s the truth. My parents don’t want to face it, but the Bennets don’t give a fuck about anyone but themselves.”

“I take it he dropped out of the picture?” I asked, my stomach and head hurting.

“PC? She went over to tell him in person and never saw him again after that. The only person she could get close enough to speak to was Candice, who paid for not just the abortion, but got her a full ride at the college of her choice as well. Anything to keep her mouth shut.”

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“Not your fault. She was stupid to let it happen. I lost respect for her after that. Especially after she accepted the offer. Our mother was devastated that she went through with it. Our father just pretends like it didn’t happen.”

“No wonder you were so angry about coming down here,” I said. “But why do you keep insisting you’re on the Bennet watch list and you’re such a troublemaker?” My eyes dropped to his hand on my knee, and he snatched it back.

Travis stood and pulled a hand through his dark waves. “I threatened to go to the press.”

“Oh.” My heart hammered. “Did you? Will you?” Why was I so concerned about Mason when he abandoned his own child?

He dropped his chin to his chest. “No. My mother convinced me that would only shame Lupe, and she’d lose her spot at Harvard.”

I stood and took his hands, entwining my fingers with his. “I get it now,” I said, “where you’re coming from. And I don’t blame you for hating him.”

He raised his head, and his gorgeous eyes lit a fire in my belly. “But do you trust him?” he asked.

I thought about that. “I don’t know him well enough. I don’t know either of you, really. I only know what my instincts tell me.”

He grinned like a devil, his teeth brilliant white against his plump lips and dark skin. “And what do your instincts say about me?”

“That you’re dangerous too,” I said, my voice raspy as he leaned forward.

He moved so slow that by the time we connected, every fiber of my being was on fire with anticipation. Still, his lips barely grazed mine, and I thought I might explode from longing. “Kiss me,” I said against his mouth, and I felt him smile in response. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he lifted me around the waist, finally giving in. But instead of relief I found myself remembering Mason’s kiss.

As much as I was enjoying myself, a part of me wasn’t into it. “I need to go see Mrs. Bennet,” I said as he nibbled his way to my throat.

He buried his face against my neck and groaned before setting me back on my own two feet. I backed up a little, trying to control my breathing.

“I’ll go with you,” he said.

“You’re not supposed to know.”

He pursed his lips. “You are very stubborn.”

Before I could respond, my wrist beeped. “Hello?” I asked, raising the wristcom to my mouth.

“You’re there. We finally got through.” Jackson’s voice registered relief.

“What’s up?” I asked, making eye contact with Travis.

“You didn’t hear the announcement? Where the hell are you? We’re supposed to report to our quarters for the night. We’re being evacuated in the morning.”