Page 69 of The Claiming

Her eyes widen as a hand slips around my waist and pulls me close to someone who has been firmly rooted in my thoughts since coming here and Frankie drops a kiss on my cheek and whispers, “Enough talking. I have something to show you.”

Kennedy sighs and offers me a faint smile before heading back to Amos, who smiles hopefully as she approaches.

My heart quickens as Frankie pulls me after him and as we leave, my heart drops to the floor when I witness Jack kissing Siri in the corner of the room.

It’s as if my world stops spinning as I witness the guy I grew up with and gave my virginity to, making out with my best friend as if the world isn’t watching. I can’t process my emotions. It’s as if I’ve lost something valuable and my past crashes into the wall of my present and alters my future—the one I always hoped was mine, anyway.

THIRTY-THREE

FRANKIE

I couldn’t have planned things better if I had a hand in it. Jack and Siri have been growing closer and none of us realized just how fast they would move. It may have something to do with the alcohol I plied them with and the casual mention that Cassie would probably end up in my room anyway, and it wouldn’t be the first time.

Understanding crashed through Jack’s mind and ripped his heart out as I made out we were already lovers. Even Siri misunderstood my meaning and gasped as she stared at Cassie chatting to Kennedy.

Jack covered his pain well and shrugged, catching another beer I threw his way with a dead expression in his eyes.

I turned to speak to Ali and inside of five minutes, he was making out with Siri and my job was done.

All I needed was for Cassie to witness the happy couple and all thoughts of Jack would be crushed into the past.

It worked like a charm, and as we head out of the room I nod to the staircase. “Fancy a coffee? I have an idea about the claiming ceremony I want to run by you.”

I already know Cassie is burning to solve the puzzle and won’t be able to refuse a chance to be included in my revenge.

“Sure.” Her smile is less brilliant and her eyes hold a sadness I’m not used to seeing in them. I have broken her, which is the perfect time to strike.

She is silent as we make our way to the attic and as I push open the door, the moonlight lights the room in shadows.

“Take a seat. I’ll fix us some coffee.”

“Do you have anything stronger?”

Her voice lacks its usual animation, and I hide my grin as I reach for the tequila that typically helps while watching the game.

I pour two shots and as she shoots it down in one, her eyes burn as she whispers, “Another.”

I do the same and refill our glasses and, as she knocks back the second one, she slams it on the table.

“Fuck.” She runs her fingers through her hair and leans back against the cushions and I regard the broken angel before me. She is always so beautiful, but now she is breathtaking.

“So, the challenge?” I raise the subject she thinks is the reason I brought her here, and she shakes her head.

“Can we not talk about that tonight? I’ve had enough of it.”

“So, what do you want to talk about?”

I sit beside her and she reaches out and surprises me by gripping my face hard.

“I don’t want to talk anymore, Frankie. I’m done with it. I want to know what being your girl involves.”

Her eyes are wild and her breath against my lips intoxicating and without another word, I fall on her lips like an angry savage.

She groans as I devour her lips and kisses me back with a mutual hunger and I push her back against the couch and run my hand under her top, loving the touch of her skin against my hands.

“Frankie.” She moans my name as I explore her body, caressing her breast and rubbing hard against her nipple.

“Oh fuck.” She gasps as I kiss each one, sucking her nipple into my mouth and biting down softly.

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