Page 70 of Those That Don't Exist
I simply nod, not trusting myself to speak anymore, especially as my fangs have extended. Sparing a fleeting nod to Ty, I flee. My heart beats heavy at leaving Ty with that monster, but I have no other choice right now, not with him bound.
After only one interaction, however, I’m determined to help him break the fucking bond. I’m heading straight to the library to see what I can dig up.
CHAPTER 25
TY
Iwatch her walk away, wishing with every fibre of my being that I could follow.
I was surprised when Adicious allowed me to sit at the table with them, expecting him to want to be alone with her. Well, as alone as he could be, three others of the pack are within earshot at different tables.
Once Red is out of sight I try to leave so I can go after her, but as I stand, saying I had work to get on with, Adicious refuses me.
“No, you’re finished for the day. I need to speak to you back at the ranch,” he demands. I don’t argue, I can’t, so I nod and set off with them.
The entire way back I’m itching to take out my phone to contact Aurora. It would be too suspicious though. Adicious, Ronan and I share a ride back to the ranch house. The whole time I’m wondering where Red went, she looked like she was on a mission as she strode out of the cafe.
She’d handled herself beautifully throughout the whole exchange. I was fearful her strong will would land her in trouble, but it seemed to have worked for her.
Adicious would’ve beaten any of us males into line swiftly for the way she had spoken to him. It’s what he does though,I now realise. It’s how he played me into joining. Initially, he can manage to hide his true nature. He appears reasonable and amenable, then once you’re under his control he uses force.
It’s eerily quiet as we arrive back at the ranch house, even the journey here had been stilted conversation and tense silences. I was too wrapped up in my own thoughts to care.
Obviously, Adicious was pissed hischarmhadn’t worked as well as he would’ve liked but he had got Red to agree to come here tomorrow.
Fuck if I was allowing that to happen, I just had to wait until I could be alone to come up for an excuse for her to use.
“Ty, join me in my office,” Adicious orders as we enter the house. I pause, unsure why I’m still needed here. “You as well Ronan.” Adicious nods to the male on my right before stalking off in the direction of his office, leaving us to follow. I can feel my shadows ripple in the corners of the hall as we follow our pack leader. I try soothing them, but with an ill-feeling in the pit of my stomach, they’re not buying it.
Adicious opens the door and strides straight over to his huge wooden desk. He doesn’t go round it though to sit in the leather chair he commands from. He turns, leaning against the front edge, crossing his arms over his broad chest. I cannot get a read on the blank look on his face, but his eyes bore into mine so I drop my gaze to the worn carpet immediately.
I hear a click behind me and realise Ronan is at my back, having closed the door. I briskly move to the side of the room so I can have eyes on them both. I wait out the silence which seems to drag on for minutes, days.
“How long have you been fucking her?” Adicious asks, in such an even tone I’m sure I’ve misheard. The ice in my blood, however, confirms I’m being asked the one question I’ve been dreading.
“Who?” I go for ignorance as a first tactic.
“Aurora. Unless you’ve found any other females I should be aware of.” His voice is still calm which sends sheets of shivers across my body, ones I feel right to my bones.
“I haven’t been fucking anybody.” I can say truthfully, grateful that whilst my willpower has been hanging by a thread it has indeed held.
“But you have been pursuing her for yourself.” It's not quite a question so I stay silent. I chance a glance at Ronan, the smug shit is smirking as he casually leans against the door. I note its to block my exit.
The realisation I’ve been set up speeds up my heart rate.Fuck.
“Have you been pursuing her, Ty?” Adicious amends and this time I don’t know a way out. The question is too direct.
“I’ve been spending time with her, as you ordered me to.” I force my brain to carefully select the words, fighting the bond which will loosen my tongue.
“Bullshit!” Adicious explodes, slamming his palms down on the wooden desk top. “You’ve been going behind my back to make her fall for you. You want her for yourself, don’t you?” he snarls and I look up to meet his gaze. I take two seconds to make a decision.
“I’d treat her better than you ever would.” My voice is strong as I force myself not to shrink under his authority.
“Is that so?” He takes a step towards me. “Can you give her a pack? Security? A place to live?” His eyebrows raise with each item he lists. I wince at each one knowing I have nothing to offer her.
“You know Ty, you think you’re so clever. Bet you thought you could stay a step ahead of me didn’t you? Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?” He laughs in my face. I’m barely holding together my rage. My fangs descend though I keep mylips locked. “I own you Ty. I knew from the second she restarted at the university you were trying to play me.”
I keep my face neutral, lock my body tight so I don’t show the anxiety riddling me. I thought I’d covered my tracks well.
