Chapter 27
CAMILE
After a long soak, I get out of the bath. Once I’ve dried myself off and changed into comfy pajamas, I go to look in on Ghost but find him fast asleep on the couch. I watch him for a few minutes, admiring how perfect he looks in sleep.
Then I realize I am being a creeper, the way I accused him of being, so I head back to my bedroom. I’m a strange mix of exhausted but too wired to sleep, and bored but too stressed to do anything like read a book.
I made out with Jack! Well, sort of.
It was the hottest experience of my admittedly limited sexual journey so far. Even though we didn’t touch one another, I almost fainted with need and came so hard I felt as if I would float away. The fact his eyes were on me the whole time made it incendiary.
Then what did I do? I came back here and almost started something with Ghost, the man who is Jack’s Sergeant at Arms and who has been spying on me. I thought Jack was fucked up, and Rook, too, but Ghost might be the most fucked up of them all.
Jack says he can’t touch me because of Vani, and I must respect that no matter how much it hurts.
No matter how intensely I want him. She’s my friend, and even though she’s said things to me that were extremely hurtful, and even cruel, I can’t say I totally blame her.
Imagine if my mom had died in a raid on our cartel and then I’d taken Vani home on a visit, and she’d gotten it on with my dad.
I’d have been super upset with her. I can’t stand hypocrites, and I’d be one if I didn’t understand her feelings.
I miss her. I miss Ophelia, too. Most of all, I miss Mackenzie. Taking out my phone, I scroll through all the messages. There are a lot, none from Vani, but a whole load from Mackenzie. A few from Ophelia, and even one from Kirill. Wait. What?
I open that one.
For some reason, the xoxo sends me into fits of giggles, and I laugh as I scroll through to my contacts.
I really do want to talk with someone about everything that’s going on.
Obviously, I don’t think I am ready yet to talk about being taken.
I’m not sure it’s safe to do so, either.
Ledger’s family might turn up at the college and want to question people, so the less my friends know, the better.
Still, it would be good to hear a friendly voice. And Mackenzie might understand some of what I’m going through with these men. After all, she’s got all her guys. Did they have issues at first? Was one of them jealous of the other?
At the time, I’d been disapproving of her relationships a little bit.
Not because she was with more than one man, but because it was the Devils.
They were—are—notorious at the college. They’re dangerous and can be vindictive, in my opinion.
You’d never want to cross them. Once they set their sights on Mack, they messed with her head, and at times were downright cruel.
They pushed her right to the edge. But slowly, I could see they were falling for her and regretting their actions.
So, in the end, I gave her my blessing. She’s my friend, and I just wanted her to be happy.
I recall something she told me about Tino being a bit of a creeper, too.
I remember the birthday ‘gift’ he’d given her, and how shocking that was at the time.
Yet, look at them now. Could I forgive Ghost for what he did?
Should I? Even if part of me finds it hot that he watched us, that doesn’t make it right.
What about Jack? Can I be happy with just Ace and Rook when I have feelings for the other two men? Oh, God, I feel like such a chaotic mess.
I need a girly night. Face masks, cocktails, bad movies, the works. I wonder if Mack would come here for a visit. I wonder if the Devils would let her. Not that there’s much stopping my friend when she wants to do something, but if they think it will make her unsafe, they’ll put their feet down.
My finger hovers over the call button, until I get bored with my second guessing myself all the damn time and press the green icon.
It rings only twice before it’s picked up.
“Camile?”
“Hey, Zee.” I use the nickname I gave her when we first met.
“Oh, my fucking Lord, I am so angry at you.”
Well, this isn’t the reception I’d expected. I suddenly realize how late it is. Is she angry with me for calling at this time? I should have checked.
“Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?” she asks.
Okay, so she’s not upset about the time. “I know, and I’m really sorry.”
“What the hell is going on? People have been talking. They’re saying there’s a threat against you and your family, so you’re staying on the bikers’ compound for the foreseeable future?”
“Yes. It’s complicated. Listen, can you come visit? I could really do with a friend.”
There’s the briefest of hesitations. Oh, God, what if she’s decided to side with Vani? If I lose Mackenzie as well, I don’t know what I’ll do.
I hurry on, trying to fill the silence. “Forget I asked. I don’t want to put you in an awkward situation…”
“Of course I can come over, but I’ll tell you what I’ve already told Vani.
You’re both important to me, and I’m not going to take sides.
I want to knock your heads together and make you sort it out, but I won’t get in the middle.
So… as long as you’re not going to tell me about how madly in love with Jack you are, then I can come see you. ”
“I don’t want to talk about Jack. There’s nothing between me and him,” I lie. “I umm… I’ve kind of gotten myself involved with two other men, maybe three.”
“What?” Her squeal has me holding the phone away from my ear. “Damn, Camile. I never had you down as the type.”
“What type?” I demand.
“Like me,” she says with a laugh. “Okay, now I really have to come. Will I be allowed?”
I haven’t asked, but I can’t see Jack saying no, not to my friend coming over for a few hours. And if he does, I’ll just cry or something. He can’t deal with that.
“Yes, of course. Is tomorrow night okay?”
“One minute.” She calls out to someone in the room, her voice slightly muffled as she turns her face from the cell phone. “Can I go to the biker compound to see Camile tomorrow?”
I recognize the deep voice that answers her as belonging to Dom. “Only if one of us goes with you.”
“I think I’ll be safe with Vani’s dad in charge,” Mackenzie argues.
“Non-negotiable,” Dom growls.
Mack lets out a huff. “Fine.” She must put her mouth back to the cell phone as her voice grows louder again. “I can come, but I’ve got to bring one of the men with me.”
“That will be great. Come over tomorrow. We can have a proper girl’s night.”
I end the call, and, with the knowledge that Ghost is asleep in the other room, and that I’m safe, I snuggle down into my bed. I’m no longer frightened of the nightmares that might come but comforted by the people in my life who care about me.