Chapter 5
CASSIE
I t’s good to be back in Frankie’s bed with his arms wrapped around me as I gaze with delight on a body that was crafted as my ruin.
“You have my answer. Now I want yours.” I press a light kiss on his chest as his fingers tangle in my hair.
“I haven’t heard the question.”
My words fly back at me, causing a grin to stretch across my lips.
“Stick or twist?”
“I am not required to answer that yet.”
I roll on top of him and waste no time, sitting astride him, my hands wrapping around his neck as I hiss, “I want your answer now, Frankie.”
His eyes spark with laughter and he grins. “Twist.”
“Fuck you.” I press down harder, my fingers tightening around his throat and I growl, “You had better be fucking joking with me, you bastard.”
“Only time will tell, baby girl.”
With a huff, I release him and spring from the bed, reaching for my clothes that lie in a discarded heap on the floor.
“Asshole.” I mumble as I pull on my clothes and he says nothing, and merely yawns loudly, apparently indifferent to my rage.
I don’t give him a second glance as I dress and then, without another word, I leave the bastard to wallow in his own game playing and slam the door behind me on the way out.
Despite my anger, my soul is supercharged because that was exactly the answer I wanted. I love his unpredictability and his cunning and devious mind. Frankie lives for the game and I hope that will never change.
To fall back into our routine would soon breed discontent and I am happy to play the game a little longer, so it keeps our passion alive.
I head downstairs to my room, one that serves as a safe space away from his mind games and as I head inside the pretty space, it’s a homecoming I am happy to make.
Unlike most of the accommodation at Rockwell, this room is pretty, tasteful and dripping in decadence because whoever designed this has extremely good taste.
“At last! Where have you been?”
A familiar voice reminds me of somebody else I’ve missed and with a squeal, I fall into the arms of my former roomie. “Siri. Oh God, I’ve missed you so much.”
I hug her hard and she returns the favor and then pulls away, wrinkling her nose in distaste. “Why aren’t I surprised to smell my cousin on you already? He’s like a rabid dog scenting his prey.”
“Is it that obvious?”
I pull away and grin at her sheepishly and she shrugs. “It doesn’t surprise me. He won’t tell you this, but he’s missed you.”
A warm flicker of happiness spreads through me as she confirms what I hoped, but never really expected.
“Did he tell you that?”
I’m aware he would never discuss actual feelings with anyone, and Siri laughs out loud. “Of course not, but Summer told me he acted differently this time. He wasn’t so feral with the ladies, at least she didn’t think he was.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
It reassures me because images of Frankie with other women played on repeat in my mind throughout the endless weeks we were apart.
“Have you seen Jack?”
Just hearing his name spill from her lips causes a sudden pain to spear my soul, and I hate how I’m affected by the idea of Jack with another girl.
I’m a hypocrite and a disgusting friend because it appears that I don’t want Jack when Frankie is around, but I don’t want to think of him with anyone else either.
I hate my feelings toward him and the way I’m so selfish about his needs. I am letting us both down with my inner thoughts and I must set him free — set us both free to explore life apart.
“He’s around.” I shrug as I sit on the bed and she joins me.
“Did he talk about me?”
I understand the yearning in her question and seek to reassure her.
“Of course. Jack is loyal, Siri. You have no worries about that.”
“I know, but, well–” She hesitates and then sighs. “It’s just he holds back a little.”
“In what way?”
“I mean, don’t get me wrong, he gives me a lot of attention and yet we never move past kissing.”
I hate how happy that makes me and say with concern, “Do you think Frankie warned him off?”
It’s the only reason I can think of and Siri shrugs, “Possibly, but I asked him about that and he denied it. It’s almost as if he’s just passing time with me and his heart is with–” She hesitates and then exhales sharply. “I think his heart is with you, Cassie.”
It’s as if she dropped a grenade into the room and it hits me hard. “Me?”
My breath comes fast as she nods miserably. “I watch him when you’re around and the expression in his eyes is heartbreaking.”
“You’re wrong.”
I attempt to reassure her, but she shakes her head. “It happens too many times to be a figment of my imagination. He has feelings for you that are getting in the way of his freedom to explore something with anyone else.”
“But we’re friends, that’s all. Family.”
“Then someone should tell his heart because he’s so deep in with you, he can’t dig his way out.”
I’m not sure what to say and she sighs heavily. “I’m aware you don’t feel the same. You are mad about Frankie and I suppose that is half the problem, for Jack, anyway. He’s jealous, and it’s eating him up inside and I don’t know how to change that.”
“So, what are you saying, Siri?” My voice is even but my emotions are all over the place and she says sadly, “I may have to twist when the question is asked. I don’t want to, but I deserve one hundred percent of someone and will never accept anything more than that.”
I choke on her unhappiness. It’s all around us and my heart hurts for her—for both of them.
It worries me that she’s right. Not that I would admit it, but our relationship has subtly changed since I met Frankie and it was evident through the holidays.
Jack kept his distance from me and preferred to spend most of his time with the Reapers.
He trained so hard he was exhausted and didn’t seek my company like he usually does.
It’s as if a canyon has opened up between us and I hate it.
It will be up to me to put things right and yet I haven’t a clue how I’m going to proceed with that.
Siri sighs. “Anyway, you don’t want to deal with my problems so soon into the semester. It’s good to be back, isn’t it?”
“It is. Like coming home in a way.”
“I wonder if this semester will be as exciting as the last one.”
“I doubt it. I hope not anyway. That was a lot to deal with.”
“Agreed. I understand that Abigail won’t be coming back. There are too many memories that would impede her recovery.”
“I’m sad about that.”
Abigail was attacked last semester by a psycho and even though he was caught, it didn’t erase the memories.
Siri forces some brightness into her voice.
“Anyway, this is a new beginning and it will be a good one. Your friend Imogen is here and so is mine, Summer.”
“I’ve met her already.”
Siri’s eyes dance with happiness at the mention of her friend.
“I heard she’s sharing with Imogen. That worked out well for all of us.”
She lowers her voice. “We have a new resident, too.”
“Who?”
Siri shivers. “Luca Romano. I met him in the hallway and I’m not lying when I say he is seriously hot.”
“Is that why you’re suddenly having doubts about Jack?”
I nudge her to show I’m only teasing, and she shakes her head.
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s seriously good looking, in a demonic way, but his wounds run deep. It surrounds him. I live among tortured souls, but even I’ve never met anyone carrying as much baggage as he does.”
“He doesn’t travel lightly then.”
Siri rolls her eyes. “You wait until you meet him, Cassie. He’s intense and that won’t make for a happy home.”
“Why not?”
“Because one dark soul is enough and now two live side by side and it can only spell one thing. Trouble.”
She sighs as she stands and nods toward the door.
“I’m starving. Why don’t we head off to find Imogen and Summer and introduce them to the cafeteria? The guys can amuse themselves for once. It’s girl time now.”
“Good plan.”
As we leave the house, something prickles within me as I step outside into the cool sunlight.
It’s as if change is on the horizon and not in a good way.
Nothing is the same as we left it, except for one thing.
I am crazily and stupidly falling for the darkest soul I’ve ever met and there is nothing I can do about that but hang on for the ride.