Chapter 37
OCTOBER 12 – SUNDAY 1:15 PM
R en
My pencil slid across the page in little strokes as I finished the details on the outer edges of my sketch. I’d stared at the blank cream-colored page for an hour until it felt like it had sucked me into the endless flat void. Then, my hand moved on its own as the image clear in my mind.
Myles was finished first. The mischievous glint in his expression was perfect. I could almost hear him say, Hello, Snowflake . Next had been Theo, with his helmet under his arm and the arrogant arch in his prominent brow as he challenged me to argue with him. Blake followed, oozing the kindness that embodied everything he did. He was looking down, his messy hair falling over his forehead as his fingers strummed the strings of his guitar. I’d struggled with Liam at first, but then I drew him from behind. He looked over his shoulder at me with his tattoo proudly on display and a don’t test me smirk, curling his lip.
Nash stood in the middle with the rest of his guys. His arms crossed as he glared at me like it pissed him off that I was even drawing him. I’d thought of doing something decorative, but my hand just wouldn’t cooperate when I tried to fill the space in the center.
“Wow, that’s beautiful!”
My coffee tipped over as I jumped up, screaming. I grabbed my sketch pad so none of the god’s nectar got on the image. Pulling off my headphones, I glared at Ivy, who I loved but wanted to kill for scaring me. She was supposed to be visiting her dad today, so I hadn’t expected anyone until later.
The guys were in the pool putting in an extra training session before we all left for California. I could’ve gone to watch, but staying the hell away from Nash was my latest self-preservation mission. Who the hell was I kidding? It had always been my mission, but I’d slipped and fallen in the deep end. Now, I needed to remain away from the pool, or Nash would drag me back under.
Fucking Nash. Fucking Vicky. It made me sick that I understood her obsession. Having anything in common with Vicky was an all-new level of hell.
“Oh my god. I’m so sorry,” Ivy said and ran into the bathroom, returning with a roll of paper towels. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s alright. I didn’t hear you come in.” Tossing my sketchpad onto my bed, I helped clean up as Ivy apologized non-stop. “What happened to your visit?”
“Dad is starting work for Nash this week. It kind of feels like trading in Satan for his underling as a boss. But he needs to work, and Nash paid for him to go to rehab.”
She held out my trash basket for me to toss in my dirty paper towels.
“Anyway, he’s the new head of security at Nash’s club. With the opening in a few weeks, I guess he had things to take care of today. No idea what that means, and honestly, I’m scared to ask.”
I felt that statement in the very fabric of my soul. I hated being in the dark, but I’d never sleep at night if I knew the details of what the guys did for their families. At least, I hoped I wouldn’t. The night I slept soundly, knowing I’d committed multiple felonies, would be very dark indeed.
“Working for Nash is an upgrade from being Lawrence’s whipping boy. Lawrence is sick and twisted. Who knows what he made your dad do? Nash has his faults, but I can’t picture him ordering your dad to do the deplorable shit Lawrence finds amusing.”
“That’s true. Do you want to head down and grab another coffee?”
“Sure, I haven’t eaten yet today and probably should before Myles scolds me.”
Taking off my headphones, I laid them on the bed and pulled on my sneakers.
“So, you never did get to tell me about this guy you met.” I nudged her arm. “I’ve seen you smiling and texting someone. Tell me about him.”
Ivy’s face lit up as she smiled. “Okay, but you can’t tell the guys who it is.”
“That sounds mysterious. Fine, I won’t tell them,” I said, smiling. A girly conspiracy that didn’t lead to death or destruction was just what I needed.
“It’s Sabastian from Hawking Shores, you know, the captain.”
On second thought, it could lead to murder. “Ivy….”
“I know, I know. Nash and the boys don’t like him, and he hates them. But Ren…he’s hot and funny, and he wants to take me out on a date. A real date, like dinner or something.”
“God, I hate to do this, but…has he asked anything about the guys?”
We stepped into the elevator, and Ivy crossed her arms as she glared at me.
“No. Why? Do you think that’s the only reason he’s interested in me?”
“Of course not. You are incredible and a catch. It just seems weird. They exchanged words when he was here for the meet. I’m not a big believer in coincidences anymore,” I said, and Ivy shook her head at me.
“You can’t look at anything without wondering if there is an angle or a conspiracy theory. I know you’ve had a shit time of it, but not everyone is trying to find a way to cause havoc for you or the Kings.”
I rubbed my face, “I know, but…Ivy, you have to admit that there’s a possibility.”
She put her hands on her hips.
“No, I don’t. He didn’t even know that I knew the Kings personally until a couple of days after we started talking. I can’t believe you want to stomp all over my excitement like this.”
The elevator doors opened, and Ivy marched out. The worst part was that she wasn’t wrong—at least not about the conspiracy stuff. I looked at everyone differently.
What was their motive for talking to me? Were they trying to get information on one of the guys? Did they plan to kill me? Did they have a Lawrence in their family who wanted to get their hands on me? As much as I hated that my mum kept all of this from me…I got it. This life…the looking over my shoulder for the knife coming, was tiring.
Jogging after Ivy, I grabbed her in a hug and forced her to stop walking.
“You know I love you, and I want you to be happy. That shouldn’t have been my first thought. You’re right, and I’m so sorry.”
Releasing her, she turned and looked at me. Her eyes still held some anger but had softened.
“I hate that you might be right and that you put the thought in my head. Now, every conversation I’ll be looking for hidden questions and motives.”
“God…I’m so sorry, Ivy. Don’t think that. You’re right. He wouldn’t know you have anything to do with the guys. Can we just pretend that I never asked? I’m sorry I opened my mouth.”
Her gaze flicked up to mine, and her big eyes filled with a spark of hope again.
“I mean it. You’re freaking incredible, beautiful, and I love you to bits. He sees it too, and about damn time someone gets their head out of their ass to notice. Now, tell me all about the hottie from Hawking Shores. I want to know everything.”
“Well….”
Ivy started gushing all about Sabastian, and as much as it pained me, I knew I had to tell Myles. He could look into him and keep it quiet unless there was an issue. God…it made me sick to my stomach to think about breaking her trust. I already had one friend ignoring my texts and calls. I didn’t want to lose Ivy, too.
Grabbing a fresh coffee, I treated myself to some of the warm chocolate chip cookies on the tray. Who the hell could resist these?
“Yeah, so we have a lot in common. More than I ever thought we would. The best part is that his parents aren’t insanely rich. He got into Hawking on a scholarship. Anyway, do you think we can go shopping this week?”
I popped one of the warm cookies into my mouth and moaned. They were trying to kill us with these. I could eat the entire tray.
“Apparently, only Ella or Nash can take me off the property. Don’t ask me how that was arranged, but he’s not taking us shopping, I’m sorry. Also…I leave on Monday to go with the swim team to California.”
“What?” Ivy’s eyes were wide as she grabbed my arm. “How the heck did you manage that?”
“It’s a long story, but….” I looked around and lowered my voice. “My cousins are there, and Nash made arrangements for me to meet them.”
Ivy’s jaw dropped.
“Are you sure they aren’t the ones from Canada who…you know….”
I shook my head. “No, I’m not. But Nash says it wasn’t them.”
She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes into thin slits.
“You are putting an awful lot of trust in Nash’s word. Is that safe after how he hurt you? You haven’t told me what happened, but you can’t deny it after the other day.”
Sighing, I looked down at my shoes. “There are some things that I’ll never trust coming out of his mouth. But with this…I do. It’s complicated.”
“That seems to be you in a nutshell lately.”
“Tell me about it.”
We laughed as we walked across the foyer and waited for the elevator. The doors opened, and my smile fell as Vicky and Jennifer stepped out. Of course, the Queen Bitch couldn’t just walk by, Nope, she needed to get a rise out of me.
“I was thinking pink, white, and black. What do you think Ren?”
Ivy and I shared a look before she shook her head, not knowing what Vicky meant either.
“Pink, white, and black for what?”
“Decorations. For the wedding, of course. What do you think?” She smirked, but it was more of a snarl, so I smiled.
“Oh…well, that’s a good question,” I said, stepping around her and getting in the elevator. Holding the door open, I tapped my cheek, pretending to think. “Vomit green suits the two of you best. Maybe pair it with shit brown.”
“Bitch,” she hissed.
“Maybe, but….” I waggled my finger between her and Jennifer. “I’m pretty sure Nash ordered you not to say anything, or he would cancel the whole arrangement. Oops, it would be terrible if someone accidentally told him that you’re opening your very loud, annoying mouth and spilling the news.” Her face paled. “Don’t worry, Vicky, your secret is safe. I think you two are perfect together. Truly, well suited.”
I waited for the door to start closing on her before shoving my hand in the gap, forcing it to open again. I chuckled at Vicky’s confused expression.
“Oh, I almost forgot…did Nash mention that he’s taking me to the Halloween party? You know the big grand opening that is so special to him? Seems strange that he neglected to mention that to his….” I mouthed, fiancé .
Vicky balled her hands as she made a high-pitched squealing sound like she was a nuclear plant about to meltdown.
“I don’t believe you.”
Shrugging, I let the elevator close.
“I don’t care what you believe. Ask Nash yourself,” I said as Vicky’s face turned an alarming shade of red before disappearing from view.
“Damn girl, you’ve gotten vicious,” Ivy said.
Even though she was smiling, and I knew she meant it as I compliment, it hit worse than anything Vicky ever said. I didn’t want to be known for my viciousness. That wasn’t me…was it?
“I guess I know what happened now,” she said, and I nodded. “Don’t worry, I won’t ask any more questions.”
The elevator opened, and Ivy stopped as Zigzag stood up from the couch in the little sitting area.
“Ivy, can I talk to you,” he asked.
“Do you want me to stay?”
“No, I’m fine. Thanks, though.”
Nodding, I left them alone and went back to our room, nibbling on my next cookie. I didn’t know how the kitchen staff managed to get the perfect ratio of chocolate to cookie and made them so chewy. I already wanted to go down and get more.
Opening the door to my bedroom, I froze. Nash sat on my bed, holding my sketchpad.
“It’s rude to look at someone’s work without asking first,” I said.
“It’s…really damn good.” He looked up at me and… nope . I couldn’t be in here with him.
I turned around, but the door didn’t even get a chance to close before he caught me in the hall and hauled me back inside the bedroom with a hand over my mouth.
He had the audacity to groan when I bit his finger.
“Nash, let me go,” I mumbled as he spun me around and pushed me up against the wall.
His leg was between mine, and my hands were locked above my head.
“Nash….” I scowled, but it didn’t deter him. He kissed me, but I refused to open my mouth.
“Open for me, Princess,” he whispered and licked at my bottom lip. “You taste like sex and chocolate on my tongue. I want to fuck you with this taste in my mouth. You’re delicious.”
“I told you that we are not doing this again. Are you hard of hearing?”
“Oh, I’m definitely hard. You’re mine, Princess. That means I don’t give a fuck. I’m not letting you go.”
“I think your fiancé, who just asked my opinion on wedding decorations, would disagree,” I said, rolling my eyes and fighting the urge to submit to him.
“Fucking Vicky,” he growled, and a shiver raced down my spine.
There was no stopping the moan as he kissed me again. He was hard and demanding while I was putty in his hands. Everything with Nash was wild. He made me frantic for more, and fighting it felt like a losing battle, but I had to try.
Nash broke the kiss, and I thought my heart was going to run out the door.
“I can’t do this, Nash. Please.”
“And I can’t stop wanting you. One of us will win this battle of wills, Princess. I’ll bet on me any day. I can still feel your pussy wrapped around my cock as you slept,” he said in my ear. “All. Night. Long.” He rubbed against me, and my body shuddered. “I’ll have you again.”
“That sounds like a threat,” I said, and he smiled.
“It’s a promise. I know you lay awake at night and think about me.”
I didn’t respond, and he pushed back, giving me space. He nodded toward the sketch and pulled up the sleeve on his arm.
“Don’t forget this tattoo,” he said.
Annoyed, I looked down. The bag of cookies fell from my hand as I stared in shock, unable to form a coherent thought. Princess took up the entire underside of his forearm with decorative lines, Celtic symbols and a lily with vines. It wasn’t there when we went away, I was sure of it. The tattoo was dry and no longer raised and the rich new design stood out against his skin. That could only mean he had it done as soon as we got back.
“What…what did you do?”
“You’re mine, Princess. Get used to it.”
Nash bent and grabbed the cookies off the floor. Smirking, he pulled two out and popped one in his mouth.
“You ignored me when I told you to stop me.” Nash ran his thumb over my bottom lip, his eyes penetrating right through me. “You didn’t take the out I offered, and now…well, now I’m keeping you.”
“I thought you meant sex, not marking your body with my name or nickname. And I never agreed to more than that one night,” I stammered, flustered and feeling lightheaded.
I moved away and had just cleared the door when it suddenly opened with a bang. Ivy and I screamed at the same time as she stared at Nash standing in front of her.
He smirked at me. “See you later, Princess. Thanks for your cookie,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine. My body flushed hot. He walked out as confident and unfazed as I’d ever seen him.
What the fuck did he have up his sleeve?