Chapter 17
“Go through the back exit. He’ll be waiting for you at the front of the store,” Carly said, herding us toward the back of the store. “I’ve got Leighton’s measurements, so I’ll just send everything to the house. If there’s anything she doesn’t like, just send it back.”
“Thanks, Carly.” Colt grabbed my hand as he shoved open the door.
I didn’t even have time to say goodbye to Carly or thank her because we were already moving across the parking lot. I had no idea where we were. This place was a maze. But Colt did. In less than two minutes, I spotted the sports car.
Colt beeped the locks and opened my door. “Get in.”
I slipped inside as fast as I could, my heart hammering against my ribs. What the hell was going on?
Colt was behind the wheel in a flash, turning the engine over. He slipped in a wireless earbud and hit something on his phone. Then he was tearing out of the space. Gone was his promise of keeping to a reasonable speed.
I hurried to put on my seat belt and braced myself against the dashboard.
“We’ve got a problem,” Colt clipped.
I couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation and had no idea who he was even speaking to.
“Damien, Lucien, and Caspian showed.”
There was a pause as he listened to the person on the other end of the line.
“He had me tracked. You know the mall isn’t exactly his scene.”
More silence.
“We’re already out. On our way home now. Meet us there. We need to make a plan. He scented her.”
I scrunched up my nose at that. Was Damien some freak with a smelling fetish or something?
“I know,” Colt growled. “Just meet me at home.”
He took his hand off the gear stick to end the call, and then it was back. He didn’t say a word. Didn’t even look at me. His gaze alternated from the road ahead to the rearview mirror.
“Who are they?” I asked. My voice wasn’t loud, but it sounded like a cannon in the quiet space.
A muscle along Colt’s jaw ticked. “People who shouldn’t be breathing your air.”
“I’m going to need a little more information than that.”
Colt’s knuckles bleached white as he gripped the wheel tighter. “Someone we’re at odds with. Damien’s family and mine have never gotten along. We got them into trouble not that long ago, and Damien holds a grudge. If you ever see him or his friends, you run in the opposite direction.”
“Am I going to see him?” I squeaked.
Colt’s jaw worked back and forth. “They go to Castle Prep, too.”
I gaped at him.
“You’ll be safe on campus. Just don’t let him get you alone. But the guys will stick close. Don’t worry.”
I stared at Colt. “You think he’ll hurt me.” It wasn’t a question, but it still begged for an answer.
A hardness slipped into Colt’s eyes. “I know he will.”
I swallowed hard. I was starting to see what Ronan and Trace meant. Maybe home would’ve been safer. At least there I knew what to expect.
But the moment the thought entered my mind, I squashed it. It would mean I didn’t have Colt back in my life or Dash’s kind smiles or Ronan’s prickly protection. It would mean I was no longer free.
A series of three blacked-out Range Rovers tore toward us. The moment Colt saw them, he slowed. One pulled a U-turn in front of us, the other two behind us. We were encircled like we were part of a presidential motorcade.
“Your security?” I asked.
Colt nodded, a little of the tension easing from his muscles. “Just a precaution.”
Who the hell was Damien, really? Because this wasn’t the type of reaction for someone who was just a high school bully. My stomach twisted.
We were silent for the rest of the drive, and when we pulled to a stop outside of The Nest, my door was yanked open, and Ronan was pulling me out of the car.
“Are you okay? Did he touch you?”
I shook my head. “I’m fine.”
Ronan let out a low growl. “You’re not fine.”
I snapped my mouth closed. I was, but arguing right now wouldn’t get me anywhere.
Trace’s violet gaze, brighter than normal, swept over me as if checking for injury. “This is why you never should’ve brought her here. You just painted a massive target on her back.”
Colt glared at him. “Like I could leave her where she was? That place was a ticking time bomb, and she was completely unprotected.”
“You should’ve put her up in a safe house far away from here,” Trace snapped. “But you’re too damn selfish. Always so used to getting everything you want.”
Colt lunged for Trace.
Ronan cursed as he grabbed for Colt while Dash got hold of Trace’s shirt and yanked him out of the path. A whole lot of yelling ensued.
An ache took root in my chest. I was the cause of this. My presence was tearing them apart. I slowly backed away toward the house.
The door was already open. As soon as I was inside, I headed for the stairs, taking them two at a time. By the time I reached my room, the tears were falling. Tears because I had to face the truth. I was destined never to belong anywhere.