Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
I intend to only open the door wide enough to look through—whatever this is can wait—until I see who’s on the other side, and my stomach drops.
“Lucas.” As always, there is a smug note in Xander’s voice. The voice of a man who thinks he owns everything and everyone. And if he doesn’t yet, he will eventually.
It’s only when he scowls that I remember what I must look like. “Good morning,” I murmur and rub my chin with my hand. “It’s a surprise to see you.”
“Evidently.” He looks me up and down. “I would like to speak with you, and I don’t have time to wait around.” In other words, he’s coming in whether I like it or not.
It’s like being in one of those old nightmares from when I was a kid. Showing up to school in my underwear or being forced to give a presentation in a class I had never attended. Then I could wake up, relieved none of it was real.
No such luck this time. I have no choice but to open the door wider and take my medicine.
He says nothing about the splintered wood and random small appliances strewn over the floor, settling on lifting his eyebrows until they nearly disappear into his hairline.
“I thought I saw a rodent running around here.” I don’t expect him to take me seriously, and I’m right.
He snorts, eyeballing the mess. “It must have been a big one.” He makes a big deal of stepping over one of the larger pieces of the chair I smashed.
“What can I do for you?”
Jesus Christ, I must reek of pussy even at a distance. My neck stings where Delilah raked me with her nails—I’m sure there’s dried blood there.
She managed to land a few solid punches, and my hair is probably sticking straight up from the way she pulled it. Even my lips sting from her vicious kisses, swollen and raw. I know what I must look like. A man who either brawled or fucked himself half to death last night. Not the headmaster of Corium.
Xander lifts an eyebrow. “You can tell me what the hell is going on with you. You know I don’t make this trip because I find it pleasurable.”
“I’m sorry you felt you had to come all this way. A phone call would’ve told you everything you needed to know.”
“Would it have? Some things a man has to see for himself. Especially when he can’t always count on people to give him the full story.”
There’s a creaking, the sound of a door opening. What an ideal time for Delilah to make an appearance.
I may as well be watching my life end in slow motion as the disheveled Delilah peers out while Xander’s eyes widen as understanding settles in.
“I’m sorry,” she murmurs. Her cheeks go pink while her gaze darts from him over to me. “I heard voices out here.”
Xander’s face hardens. “So this is what you’re doing in your off hours nowadays.” His eyes are cold, and his mouth twisted in a smirk. “No wonder you have no time to handle important matters.”
“I’m sorry,” she repeats, staring at me. Her chin trembles like she might be tearing up. The sight of it sends every protective instinct I possess into overdrive. I’ll be damned if I let anyone make her feel small and threatened.
“Like you said, these are my off hours, so I can’t see how it’s anyone else’s concern.” While Xander continues to sneer and snicker, I turn to Delilah. “Clean yourself up. Get dressed. Then stay in the room until I come and get you.”
There’s no room for questions, though it doesn’t seem like she’d ask any if there was. At a time like this, it’s a good idea to make a quick exit. She’s smart enough to do so.
“I have to say, I’m disappointed. For a number of reasons.” He has the nerve to shake his head at me, mournful. “Especially when you know what she’s capable of.”
“Leave her out of it. Whatever you’re here for, she’s no part of it.”
“Not part of this? She is the entire reason. Did you forget the conversation we had?” He looks me up and down, his lip curling in distaste. “Don’t bother answering that. I wouldn’t be surprised if you did. You’re falling to pieces in front of me.”
“Feel free to explain at any point why you visited.” Despite my bare feet, I begin picking items up from the floor. Anything is better than being forced to look at the man another second.
“In a way, the theme is the same. Why haven’t you done what you need to do?”
Leave it to him to bring this up with her in the next room. “I told you. I’m not going to—”
“I’m talking about Charlotte and Aspen.”
He could’ve taken a swing at me and surprised me less. I straighten up, forgetting the mess again. “How did you know she was here?”