Page 18 of Lovely Deceit

That won’t stop me from taking Eden back to Carnegie, though. She can hop on Oliver’s cock all she wants, I know there’s something between us whether she wants to admit it or not. The royal pain in the ass won’t be enough for her.

I wait five minutes after what I’m sure is their final climax before getting to my feet and pushing the door open again. Eden’s limping to the bathroom—naked and beautiful—and doesn’t give me a second glance. My palms ache to touch her, to hear her come apart at my hands rather than someone else’s. I haven’t even touched her in that way yet, and I’m already obsessed.

Just before she retreats from view, I drop my gaze to the big black thing on her foot, and my jaw clenches. I thought I’d seen that earlier but it was too dark in the hotel room to know for sure. She’s hurt. Motherfuckers.

Oliver stands from the bed with a cocky ass smirk on his face. He stretches, taking his time getting dressed. I can’t even blame him. He’s probably wading in the scent and feel of Eden. Who would want to cover that up?

“So, the professor bowed out. Too much for him?”

When I peer back over, Oliver at least has pants on. “Didn’t ask,” I grunt.

The royal shrugs. “Guess he was all show. Did they call off the grouping, then? Did Eden pass?” he says tersely, like he thinks all of this is fucking ridiculous.

“You both did. Not that I stuck around for the festivities, I’ve been tracking you guys down ever since.” The smug look on his face hasn’t left, so I tack on, “Just so you know, next time you don’t want to be found, get rid of your cell phone.”

His lips purse, but he covers it up with a smile. “Who said we didn’t want to be found? We just wanted a moment away from the two of you. Plus, I don’t know if you noticed, but she needed to see a doctor. Dislocated ankle. You know, from being tied up by her feet and held upside down.”

His jab hits me, but I don’t let it show. My life has always been a game, and I never minded playing it. “I’m surprised you could pull that off yourself. Did you ask one of your servants for help?”

He yanks a shirt on more forcefully than required, and I hold back my own smirk. “Nope. I used that thing called a cell phone you told me I should’ve gotten rid of and searched for the closest medical assistance.”

“And that was in Pennsylvania?” I counter. “You must not be good at Googling.”

“No, it took until Pennsylvania for Eden to regain full consciousness after being drugged, terrified, and having a panic attack. She was a little tired. Can’t imagine why.”

I bite down on my cheek. I knew she’d be a mess, which was why I was trying so hard to get to her.

The shower turns on in the bathroom, and Oliver knocks his shoulder with mine on his way past me. “If you’ll excuse me, she needs help showering since she can’t get her boot wet.”

Just like that, I’m dismissed.

They speak in low voices and whispers. Every once in a while, I hear them laugh, and I can’t help the rage that fills me. I’ve never allowed myself to get close to anyone. I didn’t think I was in any danger when tasked with watching Eden either. I thought of her as a job—possibly a good lay—except things changed in incremental bits. Now, listening to them makes me feel like more of an outsider than I’ve ever been. I’ve never had the kind of relationship they have. I only ever had a bond with my father. Then he was taken from me by the hands of someone who I’m supposed to call family.

I’ll play my grandfather’s errand boy, but things have definitely changed. It took seeing her terrified and alone to make me realize that maybe my worth isn’t tied up in an inheritance I have to jump through hoops to get.

I should leave it all.

But that’s not my style. Grandfather should watch who he trains to be like him. He just might be shaping the next devil incarnate—someone younger and capable of doing the things his frail ass can no longer handle. It’s his power that keeps him on top, though. Not his physicality.

I take a deep breath, still deep in thought when the bathroom door opens and Eden limps through. She grimaces, and I just stand there, peering at the wet strands cascading over her shoulders.

“You need your pills?” Oliver asks from behind her.

“I’ll get them,” I say.

He ignores me, situates her in the chair next to the desk, then grabs the white pill bottle from the dresser and some water in a glass from the bathroom tap. She frowns at the single pill in her hand. “Can’t I take two?”

“Two will make you loopy, love. You need your wits about you since Leo has barged his way into our happy little cocoon.”

She glares at me. “Good point.”

That stinger hits right in the heart, and I have to clench my fist to keep from rubbing my chest to dull the pain. “I’m not going to hurt her.”

“You already did,” Oliver retorts.

My temper gets the best of me. “I didn’t dangle her ass over the river.”

“You might as well have,” Eden counters, standing. “Now, are we heading back or what? I’m sure we’ll have a fucked-up bouquet of roses waiting for me if I passed.”

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