Page 97 of Ghost
I frowned, noting that Bianca’s lack of self-awareness was almost concerning. I only got competitive in games, but at that moment, I wanted nothing more than to claw out Bryce’s eyes.
I should have done it. Bianca wouldn’t have cared. In fact, she might have helped. She did seem to hate him an awful lot.
“I don’t know what possessed her to do it, but Bianca confronted Mr. Dungworth on her own.” I rested my chin on my hand. “And apparently, his name isn’t Dungworth, it’s Williams. She said that he vanished.”
Damen, who had been reaching for his tea, paused. “She exorcised him on her own? Generally that’s not—”
“She didn’t.” I frowned at my knees, recalling her words. “She said there was a tiger.”
Damen paled slightly, knowing what that meant.
“Did you find him yet?” I asked.
Damen sighed, resting his head on the back of his chair and closing his eyes. “No.” His voice was a confusing mixture of dejection and frustration. “But if he’s sent out his shikigami, he can’t be too far.”
“Do you think—”
“I wish that you hadn’t mentioned it to Maria.” Damen opened his eyes and met mine. “You know how unbearable she can get. She’s already made a comment to me.”
“I didn’t text Maria.” I shook my head, apprehension filling me. “I rarely talk to her.”
Damen straightened in his seat, confusion coloring his expression.
I felt his expression mirrored in my own. What if Finn—
“I doubt that Finn has contacted her.” Damen rubbed his chin. “She is stable now, but she needs monitoring still. It’s been months since they’ve had proximity.”
My heart slowed, Damen would know more than anyone. Especially since he’d been taking over Finn’s role by proxy.
But if not Finn, then…
“Bryce!” I realized. “He showed up, nagging because of Bianca’s bruises. Then Bianca yelled at him.” I grinned, recalling the look on her face as she proceeded to tell me I was perfect.
That was my favorite moment of the day.
I relaxed back onto the couch, crossing my arms behind my neck. “It was awesome. You should have seen it, he was almost in tears.”
Damen narrowed his eyes, something displeasing him. But when he spoke, his tone was mild. “Maria would talk to him. They are in the same group.”
I didn’t like that tone. “Okay?”
“But how did Bryce see enough of her to see that she had bruises?” Damen eyed me evenly. “That must be an interesting story.”
Oh no.
“Well, you see… It kind of is.” This was terrible. I’d hoped to never mention that part to Damen. I wasn’t even the jealous type, and I didn’t want to think about Bianca stripping in front of another man.
Damen would not be happy, especially considering the other man was Bryce. And Titus’ possessiveness had nothing on Damen’s ironic ability to become jealous. He might actually use this as an excuse to go after the other man.
“Miles?” Damen rested his chin on his fist, his eyebrow slowly rising as he watched me. “What happened?”
“Well, I—”
The chiming of our phones cut through the tension in the room. And Damen reached for his cell the same moment I opened mine.
“Julian,” I muttered, reading through his text and sending a reply. “He’s almost here. I’ve told him to come in. He said he spoke to his mother.”
Damen nodded—he had received the same message. I didn’t miss the locking of his jaw at the mention of Trinity Kohler.
