Page 61 of All Your Bloody Lies

I turn back around, staring at a mattress right there on the ground, complete with all the dressings. I don’t remember it being there when I fell asleep last night. There’s no way I could have missed it, which means he…Oh…

I am such a fucking fool.

“If you ever see her again, remember that she is mine. Do not fucking touch her.”

Gods damn him.

When I turn, I find him sitting upright on the couch, his gaze locked onto mine. As he clears his throat, he begins to rise. “Are we still staying silent this morning?” The agitation in his tone is understandable. He has every right to be angry with me, just as I am with him. This morning is not going to unfold as either of us would prefer.

“No, we can talk,” I reply.

He nods and takes a deep breath, his bare chest almost too distracting for me to avert my gaze. “Even if I were to plead with you on my knees to tell me what happened last night.” He runs his fingers through his hair, sweeping it to one side and letting it cascade over his shoulder, “I suspect the response I’d receive is ‘Fuck off’. So—” I brace myself to voice the words that have been caught in my chest. “Do you want breakfast?”

Why are you doing this…

I press my lips tightly together before responding, “No, I’m not hungry.”

“I can hear your stomach, it’s empty,” he groans and moves around the couch, heading toward the kitchen. “I don’t even know why I ask. I’ll just make you something.”

“Kai, stop.”

“No, you need to eat something.”

I inhale deeply and shift my gaze toward the door; I just need to leave. There’s no part of me that desires to remain here and engage in this conversation with him. “I have to go. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

Before my foot settles into its first step, he’s in front of me. “Little demon, I’m not asking you to eat. I’m telling you. Then, if you still want to leave, I’ll take you home.”

“Why?” He narrows his eyes at my question, “I have food at my apartment.”

“Barely,” he scoffs, “I will put you onto that barstool with or without your permission.”

I feel my resolve starting to falter, but I force myself to remain steadfast and composed. “Fuck off!” I nearly shout as I try to sidestep him, but predictably, he tightens his grip on my arm, holding me in place. “You need to stop this weird-ass obsession you have with me. I’m not yours. Why can’t you get that through your head?!”

As I jerk my head back, he looms over me, his gaze piercing. “Did he touch you, Xera?” His question catches me off guard, and my eyes widen in surprise. “Since you seem so eager to run away, fine. I’ll cease this charade of trying to tiptoe around, attempting to make you comfortable enough to talk to me. Did Dominic touch you? Did Dante?!”

I swallow hard, feeling the weight of his intense aura bearing down on me. “I...” My silence hangs heavy, and I know hesitating will be answer enough. “Last night was the first time I met them.”

His sudden movement catches me off guard, and I curse as he pulls me back in front of him, his nails digging painfully into my flesh. “Do not lie to me, Xeraphine. I saw the way you looked at Dominic, and that boy doesn’t do anything without his twin cock brother. Answer the question… Did they touch you?”

“Yes.”

The abrupt response seems to startle him, causing him to relax his grip on me slightly. I watch as the redness in his eyes intensifies, slowly seeping into the white spaces, overtaking them with a chilling intensity.

“When…” His singular word comes out in a single breath.

“We aren’t going to do this.”

His hand trembles as he releases his hold on my arm. “When?”

I shake my head, “I said, we aren’t going to do this.”

“Do… what… exactly?” he says through his teeth.

“This.” I gesture between us. “This savior bullshit. I don’t need saving.”

“You did last night—”

“No, Kai, you’re wrong!”

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