Chapter 33
Xavier
I’ve been away from Delilah for too long. After dealing with my father and discussing his plans to ruin her life through me, I need to see my girl. Just the sight of her is enough to soothe me.
I make my way toward Benjamin’s room, my steps quick, mirroring my anticipation. The door comes into view, and I stop when I catch the sounds of muted voices within. The urge to listen is easy to submit to.
“Ben, I care about you deeply. You’re incredibly important to me and have been since the day we met.” Delilah’s voice, usually clear and full of fire, is soft and threaded with pain. “But I don’t love you in that way.”
At hearing my bride’s statement, her conviction strong and her tone firm, validation surges through my body.
Satisfaction fills my veins, heating me from the inside until I’m burning with something that’s primal and deeply male.
It’s a feeling of triumph, a confirmation that she hasn’t given her heart to another man.
It is mine to claim.
“The way you love X?” Ben asks, his tone hard.
“I don’t love him.”
Delilah’s response is like a punch to the balls. I lean against the wall for support, letting my head fall back as I inhale deeply, pushing past the disappointment.
My little raptor doesn’t understand that her admission makes me want her more. Not only will I win her heart, but I’ll make sure that she falls so deeply, irrevocably in love with me that she becomes obsessed with me.
Like I am with her.
“I know you care for him,” Benjamin says, “but X isn’t just some college frat boy. He’s been in this game for a long time, and his entire life has been about serving the secret society. He might sacrifice anything, or anyone, for the sake of the Order. Remember that.”
If I were anyone else, he’d be right to warn her, to scare her away from me.
But what Benjamin doesn’t understand is that I would kill anyone for her without a moment’s hesitation or an ounce of guilt.
With her in my arms, I’d sleep like a fucking baby at night, completely dismissive of whatever atrocities I’d committed to protect her.
I will never give her up.
My past is centered around the Order. My father and the society had a direct impact on the man I am today. They forged me into a weapon of their design, not realizing I’d use my skills to defend the woman who holds my heart in her hands.
The one who could ruin me with a single glance or a spoken word.
“And what about you?” Delilah asks, her voice taking on an edge. “You’re also a part of this world. By that logic, you’d do the same thing, right?”
“It’s different. I would never give you up, whether or not you were mine. I believe there’s always a choice.”
Stupid, stupid McKenzie. The Order doesn’t give us choices. It gives us ultimatums.
Kill or be killed.
Victory or defeat.
Rule or be ruled.
“I appreciate your concern, Ben. I really do. But it doesn’t change anything between us. Please understand.”
Delilah’s voice is full of pleading and agony, the sound like a knife to the gut.
I can imagine her expression, her beautiful face full of heartache, her bottom lip trembling with the threat of tears.
I clench my jaw, fighting the urge to barge into the room and end the conversation.
If it wasn’t crucial to let her speak, I’d have interfered long before now.
“I understand,” Benjamin says, his tone cool.
“I’m so sorry. I never meant to lead you on or to hurt you. I value what we have—your friendship and your trust. It means the world to me.”
“I understand, Delilah, and I appreciate your honesty.”
Benjamin’s use of her full name is an attempt to put distance between himself and my girl. As much as I like the idea of their emotional separation, it’s hurting her.
“Let’s just forget I said anything, okay?” he asks.
When Delilah remains silent, I push away from the wall. He better not have made her cry, or I’m going to fucking beat the shit out of him. She did the right thing by not stringing him along by the balls, and I’ll be damned if I let him punish her for it.
I grip the handle and turn it, pushing open the door. The scene that greets me is tense but controlled. Delilah sits on the bed with her head bowed, but she lifts it, her gaze finding mine. Benjamin’s attention zips to me, his features tightening.
Delilah’s eyes are dry, her composure intact. Lucky for him I won’t have to kick his ass while he’s trying to recover.
“McKenzie,” I say. “I see that you’re still alive.”
“X.” He gives me a curt nod. “Yup, I’m still breathing.”
Delilah slides from the bed and turns to face Benjamin. “I’ll see you later, okay?”
His eyes dart from her to me and back again. “Yeah, sure.”
She goes rigid, right before she leans down and throws her arms around him.
He hesitates at first, but eventually returns her hug.
For the first time, I’m not jealous at this interaction.
Because I know it’s her way of saying goodbye, not just to him, but to the possibility of them ever being together.
After they separate, Delilah makes her way over to me. I’m quick to snake my arm around her waist and pull her to my side. She goes willingly, her body melting into mine at the contact. The stress from dealing with my father dissipates, along with the anger toward Benjamin for hurting her.
I’m feeling quite sane, which is a novelty for me.
“Ready?” I whisper into her hair.
Delilah nods and gives Benjamin a wave. After acknowledging him as well, I guide her from the room and into the hallway, shutting the door behind us.
“How much did you overhear?” she asks.
Her forthrightness has me fighting back a smile. “Enough.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m not surprised. You don’t know what boundaries are.”
“When it comes to you, they’re nonexistent.”
“If you say ‘I told you so’ about Ben, I’m punching you in the dick.”
I raise my hands in mock surrender. “I’m not saying a word, little raptor.”
“Good.” She releases a sigh, her shoulders dropping. “Can we get out of here? I just need a break from all of this.”
“Are you up for grabbing something off campus?”
“Anything, as long as we can get away from the fraternity for a while.”
“I’m on it.”
She looks up at me, a smile on her pretty mouth. “Thank you.”
Her gratitude is welcome but unnecessary. After surviving and recovering from the last Trial, I’m more than ready for a change of scenery. We make our way through the grounds of the university as the sun sets.
“I bet you wish you had that golf cart right about now,” I say.
“If I did, I’d run you over with it.”
I grin. “Violence is the sincerest form of flattery.”
“That’s not how the saying goes.”
“According to me, it does.”
“The world doesn’t operate by your rules, Xavier.”
I wink at her. “Not yet.”