Page 106 of Speak

“You all can.”

Before we can answer, the fire chief comes waddling to us, his uniform drenched, heavy, boots thudding in the wet, sticky mud and he looks completely exhausted. “The owner of the home?”

We all stand up.

His face scrunches up.

“She doesn’t talk. I’m her boyfriend, I can translate.” I say.

“Wrong. I’m her boyfriend. I can translate.”

“I thought she was in there with you?” He says, pointing at Maverick.

Maverick rolls his eyes. “I’m also her boyfriend, and I can also translate… somewhat.” He says in monotone.

Raven’s jaw drops. My jaw drops. Damon cackles.

“Listen, I lived in California for five years and then lived in New York for ten. I do not care. What I do care about is letting you know that the way the fire spread, it seems there was an accelerant. We usually see fires that spread this quickly, kerosene is involved. Plus, the smell is usually an indicator.”

“Okay?” I ask.

“Unfortunately the ruins to your home are now a crime scene.”

Raven flinches when he says ruins. She eyes me and I lift an eyebrow. With one short nod, she gives me permission. “We know who did it and we have proof via camera footage.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Maverick.

It's a beautiful chilly morning on Monday when I'm making my way through the quad and I spot Raven waiting for her order by the Koffee Kart in the crowd of students heading to their first hours. I'm about forty feet away when Jonas joins her and she willingly goes to him, leaning against the wide receiver.

So openly.

So loving...

So fuckingkind.

My eye twitches. She's never alone these days. It's so fucking irritating. I'm about to just go to the psychology department when I spot a mirage. Not a mirage. It's the live twin, headed straight for the couple. My hackles rise immediately sensing something. The way his eyes are crazed and his hair is wild, not in his uniform, as if he's just been waiting for a momentto strike.

Like myself.

But my reasons for striking are entirely different. Mine are to devour, to rut, and to claim. His are... tohurt. I'm not even twenty feet away I watch as Raven turns her pretty little head to grab her order and when the end of her ponytail swishes in the air, Riordan catches the tresses and pulls, she lands on her ass but... oh my Siren is afighter. And she fightsdirty. My cock wants to swell along with my pride at watching her overpower the twin. The beast in mewants to feel her struggle against us again, to feel that fight and simply overwhelm and claim her.

"Harrington!" I hear my name being called in the crowd and see Whitmore speed-walking with campus police in the same direction just as Jonas clocks Riordan in the face and blood spurts. Pride surges through me as I descend quickly, pulling Jonas to my chest.

______

"She's my patient."

The way her skirt twirls up and she speed walks quickly back to Damon and shoves her middle finger in his face makes me want to laugh. So fucking stubborn my girl.

Mygirl?

"I was her doctor," Archer begins but she's already on her way to the exit. "I found out she was a student after I began working here. We've still been holding infrequent sessions, mostly when she needs guidance." He lies. Or is he lying? Does she visit him in his office? Does he fuck her against the desk or the sofa? On it?

It fucks with me. I hate it.

Officer Truitt rolls her eyes, unbothered. "So not pressing charges?"

---