Page 66 of Wicked Dove
“Why is she in there and you’re out here?” he pushes, and I shrug again.
“Because.” It’s as simple as that, but it seems Kael disagrees.
“Wow, that makes so much sense,” he bites, eyes wide as he claps his hands together three times, and I glare at him.
“Wake her and I’ll snap your fucking neck,” I warn, and he scoffs, waving me off, but I see the slight surprise in his eyes. It’s reflected in Thorne’s as well, despite his usually being the best at hiding his expressions. I let the air settle for a moment, making sure they hear my warning before I offer a little more explanation. “She tried to run again.”
“What the fuck?” Kael snaps, confusion bunching his eyebrows together as he shakes his head in disbelief, but he manages to keep his outburst to a raged whisper.
“It’s because of you.”
“Whatever, let me in,” he grunts, cutting another step closer, and I shake my head, sitting taller in my seat, which is blocking the doorway perfectly.
“No.”
“Fuck off, Rion,” he snaps, nostrils flaring with anger as he moves to loom over me, but I don’t budge a single inch.
“I promised her some privacy and room to breathe, specifically away from you. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Where’s your loyalty, asshole?” He throws his arms out wide in frustration, making it clear he doesn’t like not having the upper hand here, but I’ll make good on my promise to her, even when it comes to these two.
“Wherever I want it to be, and that’s usually with me. That’s the kind of person Institute Thirteen invites, don’t you think?” I cock a brow, reminding him I’m not the only fool stuck here, and that it’s precisely why we were assigned to this goddamn institute to begin with.
“Are you going to sit there all night?” Thorne asks, heading toward his bedroom, and I nod, turning my full attention to Kael so he hears me loud and clear.
“All night.”
TWENTY-ONE
ELODIE
Istretch my arms above my head, pointing my toes down as every muscle in my body groans with delight. I don’t stop until a shiver runs down my spine, confirming I’ve untangled the knots riddling my body. Satisfied, I pry my eyes open and peer at the sun casting a glow across the room from the window. Something about it makes me smile. The way it grazes across my legs, leaving the rest of me in darkness, is mesmerizing.
I’m so caught up in the whimsical effect it has on me that it feels like an eternity passes before I realize I’m not in my own bed. Startled, I bolt upright, running my gaze across the room as I slowly remember where I am.
Rion’s room.
My heart gallops in my chest as I peer at the alarm clock perched on his nightstand to see that it’s almost seven in the morning.
Holy crap.
I can’t believe I slept through the night, but realizing I did it in someone else’s bed is even more confusing. I must have been completely wrecked from the night before, but I refuse to acknowledge the fact that I somehow felt safe enough to pass out so hard. Although, I think I’m even more shocked that Riondidn’t try to worm his way into bed in the middle of the night. The sheets beside me are crumpled from me alone, and his scent isn’t any stronger than it was when I first came in here.
To be fair to him, he held up his promise. He brought me a towering pile of food that I absolutely demolished, I dared to watch my all-time favorite show, and it was bliss. We didn’t have access to cable or streaming services at home, but sometimes I would go to Walker’s and he would have it playing on his television, giving me the chance to indulge. All while having zero interruptions from anyone.
Regardless, I need to get out of here. Ideally, unseen.
Scrubbing a hand down my face, I take a deep breath and swing my legs over the side of the bed, trying to be as quiet as I can. I make it to the door with ease, shoes and blazer in hand, without a single creak beneath my feet, but nerves threaten to get the better of me as I grab the door handle.
I hold my breath as I turn it, exhaling with a whoosh as it only makes the tiniest sound. Prying the door open a little at first, I’m greeted with a random dining chair perched in front of the door. It definitely wasn’t there when I first got here, and I don’t know why it’s there now, but it’s empty, so I’m going to bypass it as quietly as possible.
My pulse thrums through my veins as I approach the front door, on the cusp of relief as I reach the final obstacle between me and freedom, when a voice cuts through the air.
“Going somewhere?”
Dammit.
I steel my spine as I tilt my attention to the other side of the room, where Thorne stands in one of the doorways.
