Page 11 of Wicked Minds

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Own it as my own.

The realization shakes me to my core and needing to put some distance between us and be alone with my thoughts, I clear my throat and focus back on her face. “What do you want to happen now?” I ask, figuring it is about time she had an actual say in what happens.

Her eyes search mine before her shoulders deflate, and looking away, she stares out the front windshield as she shakes her head. “Honestly, I don’t know. I need time to process.” Looking back at me, she squares her shoulders as if preparing for a fight. “I need time alone.”

We both know exactly what she’s saying—she needs time without Logan banging on her door and Grayson tormenting her.

“I’ll make certain that happens. The others will leave you in peace for the rest of the break,” I promise. A peace offering. A tentative olive branch.

“And after that?” she queries tentatively.

“That’s up to you, James. You know Logan won’t stay away for long, and Grayson won’t give up his vendetta. You’re the only one with the power to make him stop. It’s up to you whether you wield it or not.”

Her eyes dart between mine. “And what about you?”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll leave you alone.”

“That’s it?” she questions, unable to believe it’s that easy. “I get out of this car, and you drive off, and what… We start the new semester pretending none of this happened?”

“If that’s what you want, then yes.”

Her heavy sigh belies just how uncertain she is. How conflicted.

“You don’t need to solve it all today,” I assure her, gesturing toward her building. “Go inside. There’s plenty of time until the new semester begins. I’ll make sure the others don’t bother you.”

“And you won’t bother me either?” Something in her voice makes me think she’s not entirely decided whether she wants me to leave her alone or not… or maybe I’m just reading too much into it. God knows I don’twantto leave her.

“I’ll be around,” I say instead. When she still looks undecided, I tack on, “I’ll have your back, but you don’t want me around you, Ry. Trust me, I’m too damaged, and you’ve already got enough to contend with.”

Sighing, I blink back into my surroundings as the woman herself steps out of her building and walks down the street toward the dance studio.

It’s the first time she’s left the apartment today, although I was here when a delivery van pulled up earlier, offloading a food delivery so large that it left no doubt in my mind Logan had purchased it for her.

Perhaps it should have annoyed me that he had, but all I felt was relief knowing she wouldn’t have to worry about what she was going to eat for the remainder of winter break. I was embarrassed that I hadn’t even thought about that until Logan brought it up.

I’ve never had to worry about money. Even now, the black sheep of the King family, I still have my trust fund to live off. It never crossed my mind that she couldn’t afford something as simple as food, electricity, and heating.

Seems Logan took care of that too. After seeing the food truck pull up, I looked up the landlord for her building and put in a call, wanting to do something to alleviate some of the burden she carries. Color me surprised when I was told her rent and bills had been paid for the rest of the academic year.

That’s fine. If Logan wants to look after her financially, then I’ll stick to my job of lurking in the shadows, watching her back,and ensuring no one messes with her—including my two best friends.

I trail her with my eyes as she saunters down the street before disappearing into the dance studio. Only when the street is empty do I slip out of the hidden doorway I was in and move to a better spot where I can peer through the large, fronted window while remaining out of sight.

I made Riley a promise to keep Logan and Grayson away.

I promised her time and space.

And that’s precisely what I’m going to give her.

However, I’m not purely here to keep them away and fulfill my promise. I’m here becauseIcan’t stay away.

Later that night, I collapse onto my bed and close my eyes. Immediately, pictures of her bubble to the forefront of my mind. The way she looked on stage tonight. The artful sway of her hips. How she moved in time to the sultry music.

It was pure, agonizing torture. And yet, I wouldn’t have been anywhere else. I told her she wouldn’t be left alone with that skeevy boss of hers, and I meant it. If that sly fuck was happy for me to fork over a few dollar bills to be left alone with her, then fuck knows what else he’s capable of. It was plain as day that Riley was uncomfortable. That she didn’t want to dance for me. And I’m sure she put up a fight with her boss—probably before he threatened to fire her.

I know how much that job means to her—especially now.

So, I sit at a table in the back, features obscured by the low lighting, and watch her. A silent sentinel protecting his queen.