6. Six
SIX
WRENLY
A s I walked across the manicured lawn, unease clung to me like a second skin. The bruise on my cheek throbbed, a reminder of Connor’s rage. I kept my head down, avoiding eye contact with the other students milling about, their laughter and chatter grating on my nerves. The last thing I needed was for the rumor mill to start churning.
St. Mary’s was a beautiful campus with gothic architecture and manicured lawns, but it was a hotbed of gossip and scandal beneath the surface. The children of the elite attended this university, and they brought with them all the drama and secrets of their privileged lives.
I slipped into my first classroom of the day, where I was a teaching assistant for an advanced literature class. As the professor discussed Shakespeare’s sonnets, my mind drifted back to Theo: his green eyes, the way his tattoos snaked up his muscular arms, and the unexpected gentleness in his voice when he’d spoken to me this morning.
“Ms. Morgan?” The professor’s voice snapped me out of my reverie. “Could you share your thoughts on Sonnet 116?”
I blinked, my cheeks flushing as I scrambled to recall the sonnet. “Um, it’s about love. How true love is constant and unchanging, even in the face of obstacles.”
The professor nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. “ Indeed. Shakespeare posits that love is an ‘ever-fixed mark’ that can endure any tempest. A fitting sentiment, don’t you think?”
His words struck a chord within me. An “ever-fixed mark.” Was that what I was searching for? A love that could withstand the storms of life? One of my patients had given me a book of Shakesphere’s sonnets, and Sonnet 116 had stuck with me. “Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom.” To me, that spoke volumes about how love is constant and doesn’t change. It doesn’t fade like physical beauty but instead endures until the end of time.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. I went through the motions, taking notes and answering questions, but my heart wasn’t in it. I was relieved when my last class ended. I gathered my books and hurried out of the classroom, eager to escape the confines of the university. As I stepped outside, a wall of cold air hit me, the sun just starting to drift toward the horizon.
I was almost to my car when a familiar voice called my name. My heart dropped into my stomach as I turned to see Connor striding toward me, his face twisted into a scowl.
“Wrenly!” he called out again, his voice loud and aggressive. “We need to talk.”
I quickened my pace, fumbling with my keys as I tried to unlock my car door. But Connor was faster. He caught up, grabbed my arm, and spun me around to face him.
“Let go of me,” I hissed, trying to free my arm. But his grip only tightened, his fingers digging painfully into my skin.
“Not until you listen to me,” he growled, his face inches from mine. I could smell the alcohol on his breath and see the bloodshot veins in his eyes. “You think you can just dump me like that? After everything I’ve done for you?”
“Everything you’ve done for me?” I scoffed, anger rising in my chest. “Like what, Connor? Hitting me? Controlling me? Making me feel like I’m nothing without you?”
His face reddened, his jaw clenching. “You ungrateful bitch,” he snarled. “You think you’re so much better than me now, huh? Now that you’ve got that tattooed freak sniffing around you? ”
I tried not to wince as his grip tightened even more, but the pain was becoming unbearable.
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Theo. “He’s none of your business. This is about you and me, Connor. No one else. And you can’t seem to accept that we’re over.”
He let out a harsh laugh. “Over? We’re not over until I say we’re over. You belong to me, Wrenly. And I’m not letting you go.”
With a sudden burst of strength, I wrenched my arm free from his grasp. “I don’t belong to anyone,” I spat. “Least of all you .”
As I moved to get into my car, Connor seized me once more, this time by my hair. He violently pulled me out of the vehicle, causing me to gasp in pain. He shoved me against the car, and agony erupted at the base of my skull as it collided with the window. My vision filled with stars as Connor's face hovered above me, twisted with anger.
“You don’t get to walk away from me,” he hissed, his breath hot against my face. “I own you. You’re mine.”
Fear clawed at my throat, but I refused to let it consume me. Not this time. I brought my knee up hard, slamming it into his groin. It gave me enough time to push past him, and I made it a couple of feet before I collided into something solid.
“I told you to leave her alone, Connor.”
The deep, commanding voice cut through the air like a knife. I saw Theo —the immovable wall I had slammed into. He stood tall and imposing, his green eyes blazing with fury as he stared Connor down. His muscular arms were crossed over his chest, the colorful tattoos stark against his tanned skin. There was a dangerous edge to his stance, a tense readiness that suggested he was prepared to spring into action at any moment.
Connor staggered backward, a sneer distorting his features. “This doesn’t concern you, freak. Stay out of it,” he snarled.
“Oh, I think it does concern me,” Theo responded, stepping forward to position himself between me and Connor. “I warned you about what would happen if you laid a hand on her again, didn’t I?”
“Go fuck yourself, West,” Connor snapped, his expression twisted with fury and pain from where I had kneed him. “This is between me and my girlfriend. ”
“ Ex -girlfriend,” I corrected, my voice shaking slightly. “And he’s right, Connor. This is over. We’re done.”
Connor’s eyes flashed dangerously. He stepped forward, but Theo matched his movement and placed himself firmly between us.
“I believe the lady made herself clear,” Theo said, his voice low and threatening. “It’s time for you to leave before things get ugly.”
Connor scoffed. “You think I’m afraid of you, Devil ? I could ruin you with one phone call to my father.”
Theo smiled, but there was no warmth in it. It was the smile of a predator, all sharp edges and deadly intent. “Go ahead. Call him. But ask yourself this—is your pride worth a broken jaw and a trip to the hospital?”
For a moment, I thought Connor might actually take a swing at Theo. His fists were clenched, his body coiled like a spring. But something in Theo’s eyes must have given him pause. Maybe it was the cold, unflinching resolve, or perhaps it was the promise of violence that lurked just beneath the surface. Whatever it was, Connor seemed to think better of it.
And at the perfect time.
Our little altercation had amassed quite a crowd of witnesses, and the last thing I needed was video evidence on the Internet.
“This isn’t over,” he hissed, pointing a finger at me. “You’ll regret this. No one makes a fool of me. Especially not a whore who sleeps with my friends.”
With that, he spun around and marched away, the sound of his pricey shoes echoing on the pavement. I exhaled sharply, my legs suddenly feeling unsteady. He had discovered the truth about Jake and me, and judging by the pain in his eyes, betraying him by fucking his best friend had pierced his otherwise icy heart.
I rested against my car, feeling my heart thud heavily. The adrenaline began to fade, and the pain in my head and arm where Connor had gripped me became more noticeable. I shut my eyes and attempted to calm my breathing.
“Are you okay?” Theo asked, his voice softer now.
I opened my eyes to find him standing before me, concern etched on his handsome face .
“I’m fine,” I said automatically. But even as the words left my mouth, I knew they weren’t true. I was far from fine. My ex-boyfriend had just assaulted me again, this time in public, and if it hadn’t been for Theo’s intervention, who knows how far he would have gone.
Theo studied me for a moment, his green eyes searching mine. “Come on,” he said finally. “Let’s get you out of here.”
I hesitated, glancing around at the crowd that had gathered. I could hear the whispers and see the pointed looks. The rumor mill was already churning, no doubt.
“People are staring,” I muttered, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
“Let them stare,” Theo said firmly. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. He’s the one who should be embarrassed.”
He held out his hand, and I took it after a moment’s hesitation. His skin was warm and calloused against mine, his grip solid and reassuring. He led me away from the crowd, his hand still holding mine. I followed him numbly, my mind reeling from what had just happened. Connor warned in my head, “You’ll regret this.” I’d known he was capable of cruelty, but this was a new level of vindictiveness.
Theo led me away from the crowd, his hand never leaving mine. As we walked, I could feel the stares boring into my back and hear the whispers following us. But with Theo by my side, I found I didn’t care as much. There was something about his presence that made me feel safe and protected. More than an illusion this time. The darkness that emanated from him broke through the haze of my darkness, meeting me in the middle—a curious mingling, like smoke tendrils coiling around one another, neither yielding nor dominating.
We reached a motorcycle parked at the edge of the lot. He handed me a helmet, the black matte finish glinting in the fading sunlight. “I’ll give you a ride home. You shouldn’t be driving right now,” he said, swinging his leg over the bike.
I hesitated for a moment, eyeing the motorcycle warily. I had never ridden one before, and the thought of speeding down the road with nothing but a helmet for protection made my stomach clench with nerves.
But I put it on, fastening the strap under my chin with shaking fingers. Theo patiently waited, his helmet already in place. I climbed behind him, the bike’s engine warming my legs through my jeans.
“Hold on tight,” Theo instructed over his shoulder. I tentatively placed my hands on his waist, feeling the hard muscles beneath his shirt. He revved the engine, and then we were off, tearing out of the parking lot at a speed that made my heart leap into my throat.
I instinctively tightened my grip around his waist as we merged onto the main road, the wind whipping past us. The city blurred by in a streak of lights and colors as we wove through the evening traffic. Despite my initial fear, something about the ride thrilled me, something about the raw power of the motorcycle thrumming beneath me.
We rode for what felt like hours, leaving the city behind until we reached the outskirts, where the city gave way to winding country roads lined with towering trees. Eventually, Theo stopped at a scenic overlook and cut the engine. I climbed off the bike, my legs unsteady, and removed my helmet.
“This doesn’t look like my house,” I teased. But I’d admit, the view was breathtaking. The sun was starting to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Below us, the city was sprawled out like a glittering jewel. “It’s beautiful,” I murmured, walking over to the cliff’s edge and staring into the dark blue water below.
Theo came to stand beside me, his presence solid and reassuring. “I come here sometimes when I need to clear my head,” he said, his voice soft. “It helps put things in perspective.”
I glanced at him, taking in his profile. The setting sun cast a warm glow on his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw and the curve of his full lips. For a moment, I allowed myself to admire this enigmatic man who had quite suddenly become such a significant part of my life.
“Thank you,” I said finally, “for what you did back there. And thank you for what you did for me last night and this morning. I seem to owe you a lot of thank-yous for the past twenty-four hours.”
Theo turned to face me fully, his green eyes intense. “You don’t have to thank me, Raven. I meant what I said before—if you need anything, I’m here. You don’t have to face this alone. ”
His words, spoken so sincerely, brought a lump to my throat. I swallowed hard, blinking back the sudden tears that threatened to fall.
“I just . . . I can’t figure out why you’re doing all this,” I murmured. “Why are you helping me? You hardly know me.”
Theo paused, his eyes thoughtful as he gazed out over the cityscape. “Let’s just say I understand what it’s like to feel stuck, like you’re suffocating under the weight of someone else’s expectations and demands.”
I examined his face, trying to decipher the emotions that flickered in his eyes. There was pain and empathy, as if he was all too familiar with the feeling of being trapped. But he had no clue about the secrets I harbored or the expectations that weighed me down. And he never would. No one would. As long as I kept up the facade, everything would be okay.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly.
Theo shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t be. We all have our demons, our battles to fight. What matters is that we don’t let them define us.”
His words struck a chord deep within me. How many times had I let Connor’s actions and words define who I was? How many times had I let others’ expectations dictate my choices and my life?
“Easier said than done,” I murmured, my gaze dropping to my hands. “Sometimes it feels like no matter what I do, I can’t escape my past, can’t escape the person everyone expects me to be.”
Theo’s hand came to rest on my shoulder, the warmth of his touch seeping through my shirt. “The only expectations that matter are the ones you set for yourself, Raven. You’re the only one who gets to decide who you are and who you want to be.”
I looked up at him, my eyes searching his. There was a depth of understanding there, a kindred spirit who recognized the struggle within me. Standing on that cliff’s edge with the sun dipping below the horizon, I felt an inexplicable bond with Theo. Despite our short acquaintance, he seemed to see me in a way no one else ever had.
“I’m not sure I even know who I want to be anymore,” I admitted softly.
His hand slid from my shoulder to cup my cheek, his thumb gently brushing over the bruise Connor had left. I flinched slightly at the contact but didn’t pull away. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, so different from the harsh grip of Connor’s fingers.
“Then take the time to figure it out,” Theo said softly. “You have your whole life ahead of you, Raven. Don’t let anyone else dictate how you live it.”
I leaned into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed briefly. When I opened them again, he was watching me intently, his green eyes darkened with an emotion I couldn’t quite decipher.
“What if I don’t like what I find?” I whispered, voicing the fear that had haunted me for so long. “What if I’m not the person I thought I was, the person everyone expects me to be?”
“Then you’ll adapt,” Theo replied. “You’ll grow and change and become the person you were meant to be. And the people who truly care about you will be there every step of the way.”
A lone tear escaped, trailing down my cheek. Theo wiped it away with the pad of his thumb, his touch lingering on my skin. With the sun setting in front of us and the world seemingly holding its breath, I felt something shift between us. The air grew heavy with an unspoken tension, a gravitational pull that drew us closer together.
There was barely a breath between us now. His hand still cupped my face, his thumb gently caressing my cheek. My heart pounded in my chest, and I wondered if he could hear it over the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks below.
Time seemed to slow as he leaned in closer, his eyes fixed firmly on my face. I felt the warmth of his breath mingling with mine. The world fell away for a moment along with Connor, my past, and the burdens of expectations. All that existed was this moment, this connection sparking between us like electricity.
His lips touched mine, gentle and tentative at first. But as I leaned in, the kiss intensified, growing more urgent and passionate. His hand found its way into my hair, cradling the back of my head as he drew me nearer. I melted into him, my hands clutching the front of his shirt.
It was like nothing I had ever experienced. Kissing Connor had always been harsh and demanding, a battle for dominance. But with Theo, it was a give-and-take, a push-and-pull that left me breathless and aching for more.
Once we separated, we were both panting for breath. Theo leaned his forehead against mine, eyes shut as he attempted to steady himself.
“I apologize,” he said softly. “I shouldn’t have . . . that was . . . I’m sorry.”
I shook my head, still gripping his shirt. “Don’t be sorry,” I whispered. “Because I’m not.”
His eyes opened, searching mine intently. “Raven, I . . .” He trailed off, seeming to struggle for words. “I don’t want to complicate things for you. You’re going through so much already.”
I let out a soft, humorless laugh. “Exactly. My life is already complicated, Theo. This . . .” I gestured between us. “This is the least complicated thing right now. It’s nothing deep. It’s just two people comforting each other, well, comforting me mostly.”
He studied me for a long moment, his thumb still absently stroking my cheek. “I don’t want to hurt you,” he said finally, his voice low and rough with emotion. “I’m not . . . I’m not a good person, Raven. There are things about me, about my past . . .”
“We all have a past,” I interrupted gently. “And I’m not asking for forever. I’m just asking for right now. For this moment.”
His eyes darkened again, an intense fire igniting in their green depths. He pulled me to him again, his lips claiming mine in a searing kiss that left me weak in the knees. I clung to him, losing myself in the feel of his body against mine, the taste of him on my tongue.
But then he suddenly pulled away, breaking the kiss, and a chill crept in at the absence of his lips on mine.
“I can’t do this. I’m sorry,” he breathed, not meeting my gaze.
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Both.”
“Wow,” I scoffed. “Is it because of what Connor said about me being a whore and fucking his best friend? Because it’s true. I did fuck his best friend, and I don’t have an ounce of regret.”
His eyes widened slightly at my blunt admission, but he quickly schooled his features. “No, it’s not about that. I don’t care about your past. We’ve all done things we’re not proud of. ”
“Who said I’m not proud of it? Truth be told, I plan on fucking each of his friends one by one until I humiliate him like he humiliated me.” I crossed my arms, anger and rejection rising in my chest. “Am I not good enough for you?”
He shook his head vehemently. “God, no. That’s not it at all.” His hand raked through his hair, his frustration evident in the tautness of his posture. “It’s me. I’m not . . . I’m not good for you. My life is complicated—more than you could imagine.”
I let out a harsh laugh. “More complicated than dealing with an abusive ex-boyfriend with a very powerful family connected to very powerful men? It doesn’t get more convoluted than fucking my way through his friend group as some twisted form of revenge?”
Theo’s jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might walk away. But then he spoke, his voice low. “I’m not who you think I am. The things I’ve done, the things I’m involved in, you don’t want to be a part of that. Trust me. My life is dangerous.”
I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “Dangerous? What are you, some kind of secret agent? A hitman? Please.”
“I’m being serious, Raven. There are things about me, about my world, that you don’t understand. And I want to keep it that way. For your safety.”
I studied him, noticing the haunted look in his eyes and how his shoulders seemed to carry an invisible weight.
I stepped closer to him, my eyes narrowing. “I’m a big girl, Theo. I can handle myself. And I’m not asking you to marry me, for god’s sake. It’s just sex.”
His jaw clenched. “It’s not just sex. Not with you. If we do this, if we cross this line, it changes things. It makes things complicated.”
“Maybe I don’t care,” I said softly. “Maybe I want something complicated. Maybe I’m tired of playing it safe, of being the good girl everyone expects me to be.”
His eyes darkened, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”
“Then show me,” I challenged, stepping closer until our bodies almost touched. “Show me what it means to be with you, Devil. The real you, not the mask you wear for everyone else. ”
He stepped closer, his hand coming up to cup my cheek again. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, starkly contrasting the turmoil I saw in his eyes.
“If we do this, if I let myself have you, even just for a night, I don’t think I’ll be able to let you go,” he whispered, his breath hot against my skin. “And that’s not fair to you. You deserve better than what I can give you.”
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. “Maybe I don’t want better. Maybe I want you here and now, consequences be damned.”
For a moment, I thought he might kiss me again. But then he stepped back, putting distance between us.
“I can’t. I’m sorry.”
The cold night air rushed in to fill the space between us. Disappointment and embarrassment washed over me, but I kept my expression neutral.
“Fine,” I said, my voice coming out harsher than I’d intended. “I get it.”
Theo’s eyes flashed with something akin to pain. “Believe me, I want you—more than you could possibly know. But I can’t . . . won’t put you at risk. My life, the things I’m involved in, they’re not safe for you.”
I laughed bitterly. “Nothing in my life is safe, Theo. In case you haven’t noticed, my ex-boyfriend is a psychopath who seems intent on making my life a living hell.”
Theo sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know. And I’m sorry for that. But trust me when I say that the dangers in my world are far worse than anything Connor could do.”
“Then let me decide,” I said softly, stepping toward him. “Let me choose if I want to take that risk.”
He studied me for a long moment, a war raging behind his eyes. Finally, he shook his head. “I’m sorry, Raven. I can’t. Not now. Not with everything you’re going through with Connor. It just wouldn’t be right.”
I took a step back, the chill of rejection officially seeping into my bones. “Fine,” I said again, my voice tight. “If that’s how you feel, then take me home. I have things to do anyway.”
He looked at me for a long moment, his eyes unreadable. Then he nodded, turning back to the motorcycle. We rode back in silence, the wind whipping past us, chilling me to my bones. I clung to him, but the closeness that had felt so electric before now felt hollow, tainted by his rejection.
When we arrived at my house, I climbed off the bike without a word, thrusting the helmet into his hands. I turned to walk away, but his voice stopped me.
“Raven, wait.”
I paused, not turning around. “What?”
“I . . . I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you or make you feel rejected. That’s the last thing I wanted.”
I took a deep breath and tried to steady my emotions before turning to face him. “Then why? Why push me away when it’s clear there’s something between us?”
He looked down, his helmet dangling from his hands. “Because of the risk of my . . . obligations . . . tainting you or putting you in danger.” He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch lingered as his fingers brushed against my cheek. “I’m not the kind of man you can build a future with. My life is too shadowed by the things I’ve done and the choices I’ve made. The darkness in my world, it consumes everything it touches, and I can’t be the reason it consumes you too.”
I placed a hand over his, holding it against my skin. “You know, we’re not so different, you and I. I’m touched by darkness too.”
He was silent for a long moment, the muscles in his jaws working as he seemed to wage an internal battle. But before either of us could say another word, his phone rang.
He pulled his hand away from my cheek to reach into his pocket. “I have to take this,” he said, his voice clipped. “Go inside, lock the door. I’ll wait until you’re safely in before I leave.”
I wanted to argue, to demand more explanation, but the look on his face told me this wasn’t the time. So I nodded and turned to go inside. As I unlocked the door, I caught Theo’s deep voice speaking into the phone behind me. I couldn’t make out the words, but his tone was serious, almost angry.
Once inside, I closed and locked the door, leaning against it to process everything that had happened. The kiss, the confessions, the rejection . . . my head was spinning.
I moved to the window, peeking through the curtains. He was still on the phone as he paced beside his bike. His posture was tense, and his free hand was clenched into a fist at his side.
After a few minutes, he ended the call and turned back to the house. Our eyes met through the window, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something in his gaze—regret, longing, frustration. But then it was gone, replaced by that now-familiar stoic mask.
He gave a single nod as if assuring himself that I was safely inside, then swung his leg over the motorcycle. With a roar of the engine, he sped off into the night, the red taillight fading into the darkness.