Page 16 of Worshiping Faith

Wilkes exhales through his nose, the closest thing to a laugh I’ll get. “In and out. We’ll be back before breakfast.”

That’s all. No argument. No empty promises. Just Wilkes, blunt, even-toned, already thinking ahead.

My mind is already shifting, too.

Then I see her.

Faith.

Crossing the yard, folders in her arms, a fucking dinner bell in this place.

Wilkes and I both go quiet, eyes locking onto her like a shared instinct.

And we’re not the only ones.

Zachs is already leaning in the admin building doorway, smirking like he knows something I don’t.

Fuck.

Faith spots me, and the look in her eyes freezes my breath in my lungs.

Zachs glances my way, shifts his weight against the doorframe. Still smirking.

Fucking Zachs.

My stomach tightens.

She’s holding folders.

Mine? Is that what’s so funny? Like she finally realized just who the fuck I am?

Nah. She knew.

She wanted me anyway.

Trip? That one might’ve surprised her.

But Zachs?

Crazy bastard probably handed her his own file just to watch her reaction.

She’s on us now, close enough that I can see the heat in her cheeks.

But it’s not the kind I like to see.

“I need a word,” she says, voice even, controlled.

Wilkes doesn’t hesitate, just nods and ducks out.

He’s got shit to do.

I exhale, eyes never leaving her face. “Inside.”

Because whatever this is? It’s not a conversation for an audience.

The second we step inside, Faith slams the door shut so hard the hinges rattle.

She’s fire and fury, spitting sparks, and it makes me want to do something stupid, like throw her on the bed while she’s trying to yell at me.

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