Page 131 of Degradation
So, they own the club they talk about sometimes. That makes sense, I suppose. One or two of them is often gone at random hours of the day. I just assumed they were at the lab when they’re not around, but the odd timings, the late nights and early mornings, could be explained by having to be at a club until closing.
I stay under the water for a long time, mostly until I’m sure Blake has had enough time to tell them everything, and I’ve beaten back the persistent, niggling fear that keeps reappearing in my mind that the stalker is one of them.
It’s not. I know it’s not.
Well, I’m eighty-eight percent, anyway.
I turn off the water with a hard breath out. After drying off, I wrap the towel around me and leave the bathroom. I hear them talking in Blake’s room and I let out a tiny, relieved sigh that they won’t be finding the papers that are in my bed now that they’re not hanging out in my room.
As I go to my door, I’m swept up into thick arms. I let out a surprised squeal as I’m hugged tightly.
‘I’m so sorry,' Mav whispers. ‘We didn’t know.’
‘I know,’ I say. ‘I didn’t want you to.’
‘But you showed Blake.’
Is that jealousy I hear?
I glance up at him. ‘Only because he found out that I’d been messing with the cameras.’
‘Are you still, Tulip?’
I shake my head. ‘Not since I showed him the notes. The only reason he knew before you is because I had to show him. I didn’t want to tell you two as well because…’
‘You thought it might be one of us,’ he says.
I nod. ‘I’m pretty sure it’s not one of younow.’
Mav sighs and closes his eyes, pressing his forehead to mine. ‘Wewillfind the asshole who’s doing this.’
He brings me into Blake’s room where Shade and he are still talking.
Shade stands up, but it’s Blake who gets to me first.
He takes me from Mav and sets me down.
‘I told them everything,’ he says. ‘The notes, the emails, the cameras. Everything. And we’re all going to sit down and talk, and decide how to keep you safe.’
‘Right now?’ I ask.
He smirks darkly. ‘First things first.’
Before I realize what he’s doing, he’s pushed me back on his bed and pulled my towel away.
I cover myself with a gasp, mostly out of surprise, but Blake crawls onto the bed after me. He rises up on his knees between my legs.
‘We weren’t with other girls, Daisy,’ he murmurs. ‘And, to be honest, we all agree that we’re a little disappointed that you have such little faith in us. Maybe we’re going too slow for you, hmm? Maybe we need to show you?’
He pulls me up to sitting, and fists my wet hair gently, making me look him right in the eyes before he tips my head back and bares my neck to him. I see the other two are looming over me, watching Blake. My breathing hitches and then he licks up the side of my neck with a groan.
I cringe and pull away with a high pitched squeal of ticklish laughter, falling onto my back on the bed.
He follows, pinning me to the bed under him and frowning.
‘You know, seducing you is difficult when all you do is giggle. I’m trying really hard over here.’
I can’t help letting out another laugh. ‘What do you need to seduce me for? I’m already yours.’
