Chapter 26
Adora
“Asshole. Such a fucking asshole,” I mutter to myself, scrubbing at my teeth like I’m trying to sandblast him out of my head.
The most beautiful meow ever interrupts my thoughts, spreading a toothpasty grin onto my face before I can stop it.
“Thank you for agreeing with me, little Gary,” I mumble, scratching behind the tiny void’s bat-like ears.
He’d been howling his little lungs out like a mini-wolf until I scooped him up and dropped him on the counter. Tried to jump up himself, but he’s still too small. For now. Won’t be long before he’s wreaking havoc with his antics.
He’s the cutest thing ever. He slept all night curled up in the space where my neck and shoulder meet. Woke up with him licking my hair, then my cheek. Best morning ever, soured only by the memory of last night.
“Get ready, adorable. I’m coming for you,” I mock Ghost’s voice, making faces at myself in the mirror.
“Oh, fuck off, asshole. Who the hell do you think you are?” I growl, spitting a mouthful of foam into the sink. Little Gary meows in agreement.
There’s a tiny flicker of panic in my chest, though. Did he see it? Did he realize somehow? That I didn’t manage to kill all the love I had for him? That I still reach for him at night? That I still dream of our time together? All these months later?
Fuck, it doesn’t matter. I’m not letting him back in, no matter what tricks he pulls.
I dress quickly. I had another “surprise” waiting for Ghost last night in his en suite. I can’t wait to see the results.
I still can’t believe how many of his brothers were willing to help me with my crazy plans. Grown men. Outlaws. And I really can’t believe I’m doing this at my age — playing pranks! But I can’t deny it, it’s so much fucking fun.
Maybe it’s because I didn’t have a normal childhood. Had to grow up fast. Maybe it’s because I was never allowed to be silly. But this? This is entertaining as hell. It makes me giggle like a schoolgirl.
I grab little Gary and tuck him close to my chest. He goes limp instantly, like he always belonged here. With me.
I don’t think about the fact that Ghost is the one who found him.
That’s irrelevant. This baby is mine now, and it doesn’t matter how he came to me.
What matters is that he’s here. I’m taking him to the vet today, then I’ll need to shop for supplies.
Gotta get this little monster ready for his new life.
I leave my room and head down to the kitchen for breakfast and coffee.
Everyone’s surprisingly friendly. I was so afraid to be back here, thinking I’d be met with outright hostility.
But after that party last week, it’s like the dam broke.
Looking around now, I think maybe I wasn’t as alone back then as I thought.
Maybe I had friends. Real ones. I just couldn’t see it.
It sounds cliché, but I feel him before I see him. Like some twisted sixth sense. Like my body’s hardwired to his presence.
My eyes snap to the kitchen door. The moment he steps through, everyone freezes. Conversations die mid-sentence. Silence takes over.
He stops in the doorway, eyes locked on me. Glaring. Accusing.
A snort slips out of me, but I recover fast.
“Morning, smurfie,” I say casually, and sip my coffee.
That’s the matchstrike. The whole room explodes in loud, unfiltered laughter.
“Holy shit, Ghostberry,” Ria gasps between wheezes, “you’ve taken blue balls to a whole new level.”
He doesn’t even blink. Keeps that glare locked on me, arms crossed tight. Did his lips just twitch?
“The X-Men called, Mystique,” Mindfuck hollers. “You better answer fast.”
Bones snickers, barely keeping it together. Temperance pats me on the back, a little stunned. She didn’t expect this to work, and honestly, neither did I. It was just an impulse decision when Mindfuck mentioned he had a stash of gel dye cubes he’d been hoarding for his prank war but never used.
“Are you turning into a pokemon, Veep? Do we have to catch you now?” Domino howls.
Ghost’s glare snaps to him, razor-sharp. Lethal.
It takes a while for the chaos to cool down. Then someone plays the Smurfs theme song and just like that, the room erupts into madness again.
“You’re bluer than I expected. Didn’t you notice the water changing color?” I say, smiling once the noise fades.
I hid the dye inside his showerhead. But he should’ve noticed the water turning blue.
He steps forward. Slow. Eyes narrowed, locked on me. Full-on hunting mode. Suddenly, I have to fight the urge to squirm in my seat.
When he leans over the table, everyone goes dead quiet, holding their breath.
“I had my eyes closed,” he growls, his voice thick with temptation and sin. “Was stroking my cock, thinking about you in those tight-ass shorts from last night.”
Suddenly, it’s hard to swallow. Hard to breathe. Fire courses through my veins. I clutch little Gary tighter to my chest. He meows in protest. A few people leave the kitchen in a hurry.
“So it is a case of blue balls, like Ria said,” I whisper, wide-eyed, heat crawling up my neck.
He straightens, mouth curving into a wolfish grin.
“Next time, use pink, adorable,” he murmurs darkly. “It reminds me of your perfect, beautiful pussy.”
Somebody breathes out a stunned “Damn”, but I’m not listening.
I stand and glare at him. “Dream on, jackass,” I snap, spinning on my heel.
“Every minute of every fucking day, adorable,” he calls after me.
I sit at a table in the common room, waiting for everyone to be ready to leave. Little Gary is enjoying the scratches I’m showering him with, and my mind is stuck on the way Ghost spoke to me.
It wouldn’t be that concerning, except for the fact that his words definitely had an effect.
And the man was blue, for fuck’s sake. Skin literally stained with food coloring. That should’ve undercut whatever effect he had on me. Should’ve made him ridiculous.
But it didn’t.
Dammit. Damn him and his sexy bedroom eyes.
Just remember, Adora. He lies. He always lies.
I stand when I see Ria coming out of the kitchen, Ghost right behind her. The blue hue on his skin isn’t as visible from here, but if you look closely, you can still see it. I smile. It’ll vanish in a day or two, but I’ll enjoy the view while it lasts.
Tank follows them, rubbing his jaw and looking totally confused. What the hell happened? He’s muttering something under his breath as he heads for the exit, but Ria and Ghost stop at my table. She proudly pats his shoulder.
“For Bones, I’ll have to clear it with Tempe first,” she tells him with a serious look, and he nods like it’s a business transaction. “I see Mindfuck already left, but we’ll catch him soon.”
My brows shoot up. “What are you talking about, Ria?”
She turns to me, eyes bright, smile just a little shy of crazy. “Oh, nothing. Ghostberry’s just helping me settle some scores.”
My head snaps to Ghost. “What?” I bite out, voice high, almost shrill.
He shrugs, totally unbothered. “Yeah. We have an understanding.”
For a second, I forget how to breathe. My eyes are about to pop out of my skull as they ping-pong between the two of them.
I can’t process it. Ria was more anti-Ghost than even I was. How the hell did he win her over?
“You two besties now?” I ask, stunned.
Ria laughs and shakes her head. “No, none of that.” She pauses, tapping her finger to her chin. “We’re more like… frenemies?” She peeks at Ghost, grinning. “That sounds about right, doesn’t it, Ghostberry?”
“Sure does, Powerpuff,” he murmurs, voice maddeningly casual.
There’s a beat of silence. Then his eyes lock on mine.
I’m still caught off guard, still trying to figure out what the hell’s happening, when his gaze shifts — dark, intense. It hits me like a punch to the gut. A slow, wicked smirk curls the corner of his mouth.
“What have you prepared for me today, adorable?” he asks, voice low, like a caress. “I can’t wait to find out.”
The way he says it… it’s not about a prank. It’s something else. Something dirtier.
My cheeks flame.
I take a deep breath and glare at him. “Don’t you use that tone with me!”
His smirk stretches into a grin. Sinful. Confident. “What tone would that be, adorable?”
I point a finger, circling in his general direction. “You know what tone, Ghost! Don’t play dumb,” I hiss. “I’m on to your game. It won’t work.”
He tilts his head, grin not fading. “We’ll see,” he murmurs, and then he winks.
He leans down just enough to whisper, “You’re so strong, adorable.” And then he walks away. Like his work here is done.
I’m flabbergasted by his audacity. I wasn’t ready for this. After last night, I thought he’d try some stupid gifts or something. Keep saying sorry. Trying to explain shit. Not come out swinging in full flirt mode. I thought he’d take it step by step. That I’d have time to prepare.
But no. He jumped a thousand miles ahead. Coming at me like a goddamn bulldozer, trying to make up for every second he stayed away, all at once.
Ria watches him go, eyes wide. “Oh, you’re in trouble,” she whispers. "You liked his dick. You liked it too much. And he knows it."
“Get the fucking darts, Ria,” I snap, scratching little Gary’s head faster. He starts purring. I start fraying at the edges.
“They’re back at my place,” she mutters, tapping her chin in thought. “I’ll have to take him by surprise again.”
I frown, a little alarmed. “I wasn’t serious about the darts! Please don’t do it again. A second round might damage him forever.”
My heart twists. I already played a part in damaging Ghost the first time, didn’t I? Fuck me, will the guilt ever fade?
“Pffft,” she scoffs. “A little damage is always good for the soul. Builds character.” She presses her lips together, glancing toward where Ghost walked off. “But sure, I’ll do as you say. Plus, I might hesitate and miss,” she mutters, scrunching her nose like she can’t believe what she’s saying.
I suck in a breath, steadying myself. Ria hesitate?
“How come you like him now?” I ask, almost in disbelief.