Page 32 of Silent Oaths
Callowaynods, his shoulders sagging, as ifI’vesomehow exhausted him. “Goto your room,Theodore.I’llhandle it from here.”
Inod once and turn to leave.
Thepriests’ voices resume asIwalk away, butIcan’t make out what they’re saying.Myhead is spinning.
Whateverthis is,I’mgoing to get to the bottom of it.
I’llbe damned ifIlet them take me withoutMaxwellandJulian.
They’rewhat has kept me sane in this place.
I’mnot leaving them behind.
* * *
Theconversationfrom last night circles in my head like a buzzard asImake my way toMaxwell’sroom.
Theidea of someone coming into our lives and ripping us apart makes me sick, andI’malready plotting ways to make sure that doesn’t happen.
IreachMaxwell’sdoor and knock once before pushing it open without waiting for an answer.
“Max—”
Istop dead in my tracks.
There, sprawled across his bed, isElliot, practically draped overMaxwelllike a blanket, his head buried in his shoulder, one arm slung lazily across his chest.
“JesusChrist,”Imutter, slamming the door shut behind me.
Maxwelllooks up at me with a lazy grin that only makes me angrier.
“Morning, sunshine,” he says, his voice rough with sleep. “What’sgot your panties in a twist?”
“What’sgot my—”Itake a deep breath. “Whatthe hell are you doing,Maxwell?Doyou have any idea what would’ve happened ifCallowayor one of the other priests walked in here?”
Maxwellstretches, completely unfazed, and the movement stirsElliotawake.Theboy sits up abruptly, his eyes going wide when he sees me standing by the door with my arms crossed.
“Out,”Idemand, jerking my chin toward the hallway.
Elliotscrambles out of the bed, tugging his shirt down as he stumbles past me.Hedoesn’t even meet my eyes, just mutters a quick, “Sorry,” before darting into the hall.
Iturn back toMaxwell, who’s now propped up on one elbow, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
“Whatis wrong with you?”
Maxwellchuckles, running a hand through his messy hair. “Relax,Theo.It’snot like we were doing anything scandalous.Igot cold, needed some company.What’sthe big deal?”
“Thebig deal is, you’re not careful.Youthink you can just do whatever you want without consequences.You’relucky it was me who walked in and notCalloway.Ordo you want to explainthisto him?”
Maxsmirks. “Ifit wasCalloway,I’djust flash him that innocent smile he loves so much.Worksevery time.”
Iscoff, shaking my head. “You’reinsufferable.”
“Maybe.”Hestretches again and throws his arms behind his head. “Butyou love me anyway.”
Iignore the comment, rolling my eyes. “Youcould’ve snuck intoJulian’sroom like you always do.”
Maxrolls onto his side, propping himself up. “Julian’sbeen in a mood lately.Didn’twant to deal with it.”
