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“Yeah, by playing little cat and mouse games with the Prey and fucking everyone in sight.”
“I agree with him,” Gia says.
“Your bestie might disagree.”
“If you have done anything to harm a hair on her head, I’ll slit your fucking throat, you evil bitch,” I grit out, watching the hurt reflect off Veronica’s face.
“I think you should hear her out. You need to know, tell him, Gia,” Draven says.
My eyes land on Gia, and for the first time since I walked in, I notice that her eyes are red-rimmed. She is wringing her hands together. “I’m not saying this because I’m outing a secret Jess trusted me with, but it is for her safety that I’m telling you this, and something must be done because I’m afraid of what will happen to her if I don’t.”
Dread creeps in like a disease in my gut, trying to cut off my air supply. The need to protect someone so much since my sister’s death is front and center. I want names and details because nothing else matters to me but her.
Gia closes her eyes, and a tear escapes down her cheek, and I know what she will say next is bad. It is going to change everything. “Jess told me that in her senior year of high school, she was invited to a party by a guy she had a little crush on. She just wanted to experience going on a date. She told me she was excited because she had never been asked before. His name was Michael. She didn’t think that he would….” Gia trails off, her hand covering her mouth as a sob escapes her throat. Draven is holding her to his chest.
My insides burn, like they have been lit up on fire. Cold chills snake up my skin from the rage, causing me to clench my fists. The backs of my eyes go black like a dark abyss; all I can do is hear the next words that will break me in two.
Gia pulls away from Draven and wipes her face, trying to steady the sobs wracking her body. Her eyes find mine, and I give her time to compose herself so she can tell me what I need to hear.
“I think you need to sit down, Reid. What I’m going to tell you, and everyone else, cannot leave this room. It stays here, and how you deal with it is up to you but don’t judge her. Don’t treat her differently. Just…heal her.”
Veronica clears her throat and my eyes dart over to her. “When Gia is finished, I have to tell you what I saw that night at the ball.”
* * *
I’m sitting in the church, staring into space, listening to a meeting take place. Dravin’s father is talking about some asshole they have to take out in corporate America, but like always, it’s all white noise to me. There is nothing I care about more than going and visiting my girl, but duty calls. The gauntlet is thrown, and I stand to address the Order.
I clear my throat and begin. “I have an announcement to make. I will not be marrying my betrothed. Unfortunately, she has decided that my first cousin is more appealing to her appetite.” I pause and watch as pictures provided by my cousin of Tara with her legs spread eagle, waiting for my cousin to fuck her, are being passed around.
She wasn’t called to this meeting for obvious reasons, but my plan has been set in motion. I would never consider marrying her, not while she fucks around with a family member. It is against the rules of the Order, unless there is an agreement with all parties involved, and I have no intention of sharing the woman I would call my wife.
Alaric is a man who doesn’t turn down a willing woman. Of course, he asked if I was okay with it, and I told him he was doing me a favor. He smiled that evil smile of his and proceeded to do whatever the fuck he wanted. He knew I wouldn’t agree if I wanted her.
“What you are seeing is something I don’t agree with.”
“What are you proposing?” Mr. Bedford asks with a gleam in his eyes.
“Not marrying her and marrying who I want to marry.”
“Do you have a person in mind?”
“I will before graduation. I’ll fulfill my obligation. You will be notified once it’s done legally. I just ask that I have the option to choose my wife. I will have a wedding at the church as required.”
Mr. Bedford turns and addresses my father and Valen’s father. Then the rest of the top leaders. “All in agreement with his proposal and his decision?”
They all nod, and the gauntlet is thrown, echoing inside the church's walls. I’m a free man.
CHAPTER36
Jess
After class, I look over my assignment. The sun is setting. The yellow and orange hues filtering inside my room from the tiny window. My hand itches to call Reid, but simultaneously, I want to speak to Z. I need to tell him about Reid, hoping he will stop appearing like a deranged creep.
I pick up the phone and jolt when I hear my phone ring. I laugh at myself for being so jumpy and look at my mother's name flashing on the screen.
"Jesse?"
"Hi, Mom. How are you?"
