Camile
“I’ll have the iced latte macchiato with cold whip foam,” I tell the server and close the menu.
The other girls have all ordered, and banter continues around me as they tease each other about their men.
We’re sitting in a coffee shop in Arbington, a town about twenty minutes away from the college.
It’s become our little routine, the four of us—me, Vani, Ophelia, and Mackenzie.
Though I love being with them, I always feel kind of left out when the subject of the guys comes up.
Maybe I need to start dating more, but it always seems a little pointless when my family will marry me off as soon as I graduate, which isn’t too far off now.
I can’t say I’m looking forward to going home to Mexico.
This place feels like home now. Besides, my family has been having serious issues with a local cartel, and it’s got me worried.
I glance outside, to where Tino is sitting in a car, watching the street.
His presence is reassuring. He’s got headphones on and will be listening to his music.
We always have at least one of the men guarding us when we come here.
It shows how much they love their women that they’ll sit outside giving us privacy and some time together.
Sometimes, they’ll come in and take a table far away from us, grabbing a coffee themselves, but Tino had told Mackenzie that he was fine in the car with his music.
Maybe one day, I’ll have someone to care for me in the same way.
“I’ve got something to show you guys,” Ophelia says, flushing, and holds out her left hand.
On her ring finger is a delicately carved wooden ring. The wood is engraved with what appear to be runes.
Mackenzie gasps and covers her mouth with her hand. “Does that mean what I think it does?”
“Yes.” Ophelia beams. “They asked me to marry them. Roman made one of these for each of us.”
She’s so striking, with her white-blonde hair and different colored eyes, that even her scar only adds to her allure. It’s as though every person in the coffee shop is staring at her, including all of us now, too.
Vani half stands and pulls Ophelia into a hug. “That’s wonderful news. I’m so happy for you.”
“Congratulations, Ophelia,” I manage to say.
I feel like a drab duckling among all these beautiful women. Vani has her curves and tattoos, Mackenzie’s like a freaking supermodel, and a supermom now, too. And Ophelia looks like something ethereal. I’m barely noticeable.
The thought reminds me of when I’d tried to hit on Vani’s dad at the party. I literally want to crawl inside myself at the memory. It was the most humiliating moment of my life. What the hell had I been thinking? Even my attempt to dress up sexily for him had gone unnoticed.
As though my thinking about that conjures thoughts of him in Vani, she says, “Oh, did I tell you guys that my dad has found a compound just outside of town for the new MC chapter? They’re going to be the Verona Falls Jackal Riders. How exciting is that?”
I can’t help myself. “Really? So, your dad is going to be nearby permanently?”
Vani flashes her dark eyes at me. “Don’t get any ideas, Camile.”
“What do you mean?” I try to blink innocently, but a rush of heat sweeps up from my chest and settles in my cheeks.
“I noticed the way you kept looking at him.”
“I didn’t—” I try.
She lifts her hand, cutting me off. “Well, don’t. It’s fucking weird, okay. You’re one of my best friends, and that’s my dad, and he’s like twenty-plus years older than you. It’s wrong on every level.”
I can’t even look at her. Immediately, I feel myself getting defensive.
“I have no interest in your dad, Vani. Seriously. Besides, I’ve got far more important things to worry about.
My family is having issues with one of the cartels back home, and those people do not mess around.
Their lives could be in danger.” My voice wobbles, and hot tears burn the backs of my eyes.
I’m not even sure what I’m crying for—fears for my family, my embarrassment at Jack-the-blood’s rejection, or upsetting Vani.
Mackenzie takes my hand. “Oh, my God, that must be such a worry for you.”
I sniff and nod. “It is.”
“I’m sorry,” Vani says, her face softening immediately at my distress, “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s okay.” I offer her a tight smile. “I meant what I said, though, okay? I’m seriously not interested in your dad.”
Turns out, lying through my teeth comes easily ,because despite his rejection and despite how it made me feel, I can’t stop thinking about Vani’s dad. I go to bed and think about him, and I have erotic dreams about him. I think Jack-the-blood is my new obsession, and he’s going to be living here?
My heart speeds up at the thought, and I dip my head to hide the secret smile playing about my lips. Vani can’t ever know just how often I think about her father, or how strong my feelings are for a guy I don’t know.
And now he’s going to be right on my doorstep. If he’s going to be near, then maybe I can change his mind?
I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want Jack, and I know he’ll feel the same once he’s had a taste..
THE END