Chapter 50
OCTOBER 23 – THURSDAY 3:15 PM
R en
“Hey. Wake up.”
I jerked awake and realized I was still on the couch with Nash.
“What’s going on,” I asked, blinking as I stared into Liam’s eyes.
“Fuck off, man,” Nash grumbled. I felt like a rag doll as he rolled me over and held me to his chest.
“It’s eight-thirty the guys will be up soon. So, unless you want everyone to know about you two…you need to get up,” Liam said.
“I don’t fucking care,” Nash groaned. “And turn off the light.”
“Nash, we should probably get up. I need to tell Myles and Blake before they see this,” I said, running my fingers up and down his arm.
“Let them see. I need sleep.” He pulled the blanket up over our heads, and I couldn’t help but smile. I’d never seen him like this before.
“Fine, act like a child. I’m not stepping in if Myles loses his mind.”
“He’s not going to care,” Nash growled and snuggled closer. I never took Nash for a cuddler. It was another shock and revelation to my system.
“You need to get up and make sure that whatever you have planned for Halloween and…she who shall not be named…gets resolved before bringing the rest of the guys in on this,” I whispered.
“Ugh…why do you have to use logic? It’s too early for logic,” Nash said, burying his head in the side of my neck and making me laugh.
“Technically, it’s late for you. You’d normally be in the pool by now.” He sighed and slowly sat up.
“Fine, I’m up. I’m up.”
“Earth to Ren?”
Myles sat next to me, pulling me out of the daze I’d been in thinking about California. A lot had happened in such a short visit. Most pressing was who had happened. He spent every class we had together, making it completely impossible to ignore him since we got back.
“Sorry, Myles. I was lost in space.”
“What were ya thinkin’ about? Me, I hope,” he said.
My guilt notched up a little more even as I smiled. Maybe waiting for Nash to handle whatever he needed to do on Halloween was a bad idea. Keeping Myles, Blake, and Theo in the dark felt like a betrayal to all of us.
“I’m always thinking about you,” I said, and his face lit up. God I loved him so much. His amber eyes made me feel warm all over.
“I need to go talk to Mr. Martelli. I’ll be back,” he said, giving me a quick kiss before jumping up from his seat. Myles hadn’t even reached the front when Nash moved over from the table across the aisle and sat down beside me.
“What are you doing,” I asked and then sucked in a gasp as he gripped my leg.
“I don’t think I can wait until Halloween,” Nash said, vocalizing what I’d been thinking.
“Yeah, I was just thinking I need to talk to the guys and clear the air,” I said.
Nash slid his hand up my thigh, and I almost fell off the tall stool.
“That’s not what I meant. They can wait. I can’t.
Glaring at him, he lifted a brow in response.
“No.”
“Come on.”
“No,” I said again and looked around to make sure no one was paying attention. Myles was still distracted by Mr. Martelli. “It’s one more week. We either tell them sooner, and you tell Vicky it’s over, or we wait until your big reveal.
Instead of agreeing or backing off, Nash grabbed me by the waist and dragged me off the seat onto his lap.
“I can fuck you right now, and no one will ever know…if you keep extra quiet,” he whispered in my ear. “Be a good girl, Princess, and sit on my cock. Fuck, I miss the feel of you and listening to your sweet little moans as you come all over me, ” he said, and I shivered.
Nash shifted just enough that I could feel how hard he was pressing into my ass.
Jesus, I’d created a monster. He brought a whole new meaning to the saying giving-an-inch-and-taking-a-mile and yet I couldn’t deny that just the thought made me wet. Damn him.
“Let go, Nash.” Turning my head, I glared over my shoulder. “This is not okay until all the guys know.” He rolled his eyes.
“Myles won’t care. I’m pretty sure he’s expecting it,” Nash answered, but his grip on me loosened.
“He will if you don’t pull a magic trick out of your ass on Halloween or if he thinks you’ve hurt me. What happened to nothing coming between you and the guys? You’re placing me in a horrible position.”
“Pretty sure I didn’t force you into bed with me.”
“Nash, so help me God. You’re pissing me off, and if I lose it in here, everyone will know everything. You know what I’m getting at, eh?” I hissed under my breath.
He annoyingly chuckled.
“Fine,” he mumbled, letting go not a second too soon. My feet touched the floor, and Myles turned around.
Myles wandered back to us with a big smile on his face and clapped Nash on the shoulder.
“I’m getting an A, man, and it’s all because of Snowflake.”
The Kings really needed to learn boundaries. He grabbed me and dipped me like we’d just finished a dance. Butterflies soared in my stomach as we kissed, but they were swatted down by the thought of keeping this secret with Nash even one more second.
As Myles pulled me back up, there was no mistaking the dark look and jealousy swimming in Nash’s eyes. He crossed his arms and looked away while Myles hugged me. I wanted to throw up. What had I done? This wasn’t me.
“I’m so happy for you. That means you have two so far this year,” I said as he pulled back with the happiest smile on his face.
“I know, and ta think that before ya arrived, I’d been close to failing everythin’. I don’t know how ta thank ya.”
Myles cupped my face, and I glanced toward Mr. Martelli. He wasn’t paying attention with only a minute left in class, but Myles took the hint and grabbed my hand instead.
His ring felt heavy on my finger. Fuck…Nash had turned me into something I despised. I hated lies and secrets, and now, I was the lying liar of lies.
I’d always been open and honest, especially with Myles and Blake. The first time with Nash in Seattle had been bad all on its own. I would’ve told them, but the hurt Nash had caused was too much. So I kept quiet to avoid potentially doing exactly what Liam was worried about—blowing up their whole friendship. But this…this just felt wrong.
The bell rang, saving me from another second of betrayal. Or so I thought…Nash grabbed his bag and was back glued to my side.
“Maybe I should get some extra tutoring. It’s really hard right now,” Nash said, and my cheeks heated.
I was going to kill him. But he would just laugh as I did it and roll around in the blood like a pig in slop.
“Right? I thought I was doomed. I can’t believe how much harder it is. But having Snowflake’s help is a huge relief,” Myles said, and I wanted to smack my head.
Please don’t let either of them say harder for a third time. Please, please, please.
“Well, I could definitely use some relief. Anything to alleviate this pressure,” Nash said, smirking.
I side-eyed Nash, but despite the glimpses of a more mature man that I’d gotten, he hadn’t changed at all. Nope, instead, Nash leaned into it even more.
He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and hit me with a pathetic pout.
“What do you say, Princess? Wanna help relieve all this pressure? The build-up feels like it’s killing me.”
“I think you’re being dramatic,” I said, and Myles laughed as I wiggled out of Nash’s grasp.
“You’re the one who believes schoolwork and grades are important. With everything I have going on with my dad, and his dad, and work, it’s difficult to focus on anything else. It’s getting harder by the second not to explode with this load.”
“Help him out,” Myles said, and my head twisted so fast I was positive I just gave myself whiplash.
“What?”
“We all need top scores, especially Nash. Work your magic on him like you do for me.”
“Yeah, Princess, you can come help me now. I have a very important project that needs your expert touch.”
“Um…I don’t think….”
“Perfect, I’ll grab us dinner and be back in a couple hours. I’m seeing Lip for a short visit, too,” Myles said, and his smile lit up his whole face.
“It really is perfect,” Nash said, the sexual innuendo thick on every word, just like the rest of this conversation, at least from his side.
It was a very sad day when I was happy to see Vicky sashaying down the path toward the three of us.
“Oh, fuck my life,” Nash grumbled under his breath.
“There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Vicky said.
Why is everything so dramatic with her?
Nash kept walking, not bothering to stop or acknowledge her. Vicky, unable to take a hint, fell into step beside him.
“I was in class,” Nash said, visibly annoyed that Vicky hadn’t left. “And now, I’m heading to the dorms to study with Ren.”
I’d never come so close to leaping on someone and punching them in my entire life.
“Studying with her…eww, why? You can study with me.”
Vicky couldn’t be this oblivious. Could she? She was either oblivious or stupid, and I just couldn’t figure out which it was.
Myles wrapped his arm around my waist and glared at Vicky.
“Yer the feckin’ eww,” he said, and she rolled her eyes at him.
“Learn to speak English. Then insult me so I can actually understand you,” she snapped back.
I held onto Myles tighter as he tensed.
“Oh shit, Nash, I’m so sorry. I just remembered that I promised Ivy I would help her with something tonight. Now you’re free to…do whatever you want with Vicky.”
His nostrils flared as he looked at me and then Vicky.
Good, feel that pressure. Jerk.
“Actually, my mom is back from her trip abroad. She wants us to have dinner as a family to talk about the wedding,” Vicky said.
I caught Nash’s eye and shook my head. I didn’t understand this charade. It made no sense to me, and why was a date six days from now so important?
Mysteries I couldn’t solve…top of the list…Nash Collier.
“Wait…is it really true? Yer gonna marry the insane slut? I thought that was just a joke.”
“Who the hell are you calling a slut,” Vicky growled, crossing her arms.
“Ya made fun of me. I thought that was what we were doing now,” Myles responded with a glint in his eye.
“You do know you didn’t disagree with the fact he called you insane,” I asked, but Vicky acted like I hadn’t even spoken.
“Enough, all of you. The answer is no to dinner,” Nash growled.
Nash sounded just like I had with him. I really wanted to laugh, but a seed of jealousy had been planted. I was elated that he refused to go, but he still had a contract to marry Vicky in place…fuck, it burned my ass, which was ridiculous and ironic considering our history.
“What do you mean, no?”
“No means no,” Nash spit out.
“Wow, I thought you didn’t know the meaning of the word,” I blurted out before I could stop myself. The giddiness I felt as Nash narrowed his eyes at me was simply no equivalent. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt your love fest. Carry on.”
“Shut up, Davies. You’re such a fucking loser. I have no idea why any of the Kings give you the time of day, let alone four of them,” Vicky snarled, and I smiled at her.
“Oh…I guess you haven’t heard.”
Both Nash and Myles gave me a hard stare. They knew what I was about to say and didn’t think it was a good idea. But Vicky would hear about it sooner rather than later, and I wanted to be the one to deliver the message.
“Heard what?”
Damn, it felt good to be on this side of the discussion this time.
“I’m not a Davies…I’m a Mikhailov. You may have heard of them,” I said, and her mouth dropped.
“No way, that’s not possible.”
Stepping forward, I made sure she was looking me in the eyes so she knew it was the truth.
“Oh, it is. It really, really is. Why do you think I got special permission to go to California? You didn’t think it had to do with Nash, did you?”
She nibbled her lip, uncertainty in her eyes.
“I could care less about all this hierarchy bullshit that you hold so dear. But if you or any of your wicked bitches come for me again, Vicky…Dean Henry will get a full report for your father. I’m sure that he and Dimitri will have a fabulous conversation about your treatment of me and what your punishment will entail.”
Holding her gaze, I smirked.
“Have a great time planning your wedding.”
“Nash, are you going to let her talk to me like that,” Vicky asked as I marched away.
“Yeah, I am. You keep pushing her buttons, so you deserve whatever you get. And the answer is still no to dinner. I have things to do,” Nash said before Myles and I were too far to hear.
“Walk me to my car,” Myles asked, and I nodded.
As we got closer to the Shelby, the icky feeling in my stomach became unbearable. Grabbing his hands, I made him look at me. I couldn’t keep this from him anymore. I would find a way to make him believe I was fine with Nash marrying Vicky, but I loved and respected Myles too much to keep him in the dark.
“Snowflake, are ya okay?” He smoothed back the wild strands of hair blowing around my face.
“I need to talk to you about something,” I said, trying to keep the panic at bay.
“Okay, what is it? Yer scaring me,” Myles said, and I licked my lips. “Are ya breaking up wit me?”
“What? No, of course not. I love you so much. I’d never break up with you. Unless you don’t want me anymore.”
He visibly relaxed and pulled me in for a hug.
“Thank the lord. Yer way too good fir me. I keep expectin’ ya to one day wake up and realize that I’m surfing along on this ride but really don’t belong.”
“Stop that.” I held him tighter.
“In that case, just tell me. There is nothing ya can’t tell me.”
God, I hoped that was true. I opened my mouth, and his phone rang.
“Shite, that’s me da. Be very quiet, and don’t believe anythin’ I say. It’s all a lie,” he said.
He had no idea how ironic that statement was right now.
“Da? Ya got the picture?”
After the eventful dinner with my new family, we’d bought makeup, wide silver tape, and rope. I’d done a fantastic job applying small bruises down my arms and around my throat from a fictional fight I lost. We’d thrown some water on my face, put tape on my mouth, and tied my wrists before I’d climbed in the tub and thought about every horrible memory I could until I had cried for real. Myles had snapped the photo and sent it to his dad. He had been sure that we’d hear right away, but it had been radio silence.
When it came to terrifying bad guys, I preferred when they were loud and annoying. Then, you knew where they were and what they were up to, at least. Owen going dark freaked me out more than if he’d texted about his plans to kill me.
I couldn’t hear Owen’s side of the conversation, but I could guess.
“Aye, I still have her. No, of course, no one knows. Dean Henry thinks she ran off again. Aye, she’s a stupid cunt.” Myles’s eyes were so sad as he mouthed, I’m sorry .
It’s okay . I mouthed back and squeezed his hand.
“Nah, no one is around. I’m out in the parkin’ lot gettin’ something from me car. Where are ya? I can come see ya tonight.”
That was the worst idea in the world. Myles should never be anywhere near Owen ever again. But the guys never bothered to listen to me…no, of course not. Why listen to reason?
“Aye…okay. That’s better. I’ll meet ya then. The faster I get rid of her, the better. I don’t need the likes of the Curators catchin’ wind, ya know?”
Owen’s swearing and yelling were loud enough to hear now, but the only two words I could make out were, fucking and Curators .
“I haven’t seen Lawrence. Ya want me to give him a message?” Myles pulled the phone away from his ear as more yelling ensued. “Okay, okay, Da. Sorry, I just thought….” He shook his head, his hand balling into a fist. “Yer right, I should never bother to think.”
I hated that man so much. No matter how hard Myles tried to hide it, I saw the pain in his eyes whenever Owen was involved. He’d just gotten rid of Devin, he didn’t need this asshole lurking around again.
“Alright, I gotta go. The guys are headin’ me way.”
Myles hit end, cupped my face, and crashed his lips to mine.
“I’m so sorry for that. Can we talk later? I need to go find Nash.”
“Yeah, of course, go for it.”
“I love ya, Snowflake.”
“I love you, too.”
He ran off, and I slumped against his car, staring after him. Would he run away that fast when he found out what I’d done? Or would he chalk it up to knowing it would happen and he had already given me permission?
My heart ached as I walked back to the dorms alone. I hated myself. I could place the blame at Nash’s feet all I wanted, but he was right. At the end of the day, I’d willingly slept with him and didn’t say anything. That was on me, no matter how righteous my reasons were, and now I had to live with the consequences of my actions.