Chapter 56
Delilah
End of Freshman Year
The huge auditorium buzzes with excitement, the chatter of everyone present filling the room.
Rows upon rows of seats are filled with families and friends, all eagerly waiting to see their loved ones walk across the stage.
The stage itself is grand, adorned with deep blue and gold drapery, the colors of South Harbor University.
I sit between Raven and June right in front of the stage, the location giving us a perfect view of everything. I don’t have to guess how we ended up here in this prime seating. It’s Xavier’s, Declan’s, and Ben’s graduation day.
The valedictorian walks up to the podium, and the crowd goes silent.
Then the only sound is her voice echoing through the auditorium as she gives her speech.
Despite her words of inspiration and perseverance, my mind keeps drifting to the Order and the dread it stirs in me.
The secret society is here, along with its leaders.
The ten founding families.
If Xavier has his way, I’ll be part of them.
June leans over, her smile wide. “I can’t wait until it’s my turn to graduate in two years.”
I smile, shaking my head. “I still have a long way to go.”
“We still have a long way to go, Watson.” Raven grins at me, showing her teeth. “With Xavier graduated and gone, I’ll finally have my roomie back.”
“True.”
“What’s his major again?” she asks.
I almost burst out laughing. “He’s a double major. Business and economics.”
I have no idea how that translates to being part of a weapons empire, but I’m not going to ask him.
Raven bumps my shoulder with hers. “Well, when it comes to X, there’s only macro. No micro. Am I right?”
“Whatever.” I roll my eyes and then look at June. “What about Declan?”
She scrunches her face. “If we’re talking about dick, then he’s definitely macro. If you’re asking me about his major, then the answer is biochemistry. Considering he’s premed, I’ll graduate before him.”
We share a look, and her gaze drops to the tip of the scar peeking out from underneath the neckline of my shirt, the one from my heart transplant.
It’s healed and doesn’t look as grotesque as it did at first, but that doesn’t matter.
The scar is a reminder of how much Xavier loves me and the lengths he’s willing to go to protect me.
The valedictorian stops talking to show us a montage of the graduating students. Ignoring the heartwarming images, my eyes wander to the section where Xavier’s sitting. I can’t stop my pulse from racing whenever I think about him.
Out of the sea of caps and gowns, he turns in my direction. Xavier looks at me, down at his watch, and then back at me. He lifts a brow in question.
I bite my lip, my cheeks heating up as I nod, confirming that I’m okay.
My mind drifts back to the moment I found out about the ILR and the GPS implanted in my chest. The tracker for my heart didn’t bother me as much as Xavier LoJacking my body. Anger swept over me at the violation, pushing my new heart to its limit, and he panicked.
Xavier quickly explained that it wasn’t about control; it was about protection. He’d done it because he didn’t trust the Order and couldn’t handle the thought of not being able to find me. To save me.
His extreme behavior stems from a love so fierce it knows no boundaries.
The valedictorian wraps up her speech with a flourish, and the crowd erupts into applause. I clap along, shifting my gaze to the people on the stage. The graduates in the first row stand and begin to head up the stairs on the side of the platform, their golden tassels swinging from side to side.
As Xavier’s row stands and moves forward, I can’t help but feel a surge of pride. He looks so confident and poised, ready to take on the world. The names are called one by one, and soon enough, his name echoes through the auditorium.
“Xavier Donovan,” the announcer calls.
He walks over to accept his diploma with a firm handshake and a curt nod. But instead of heading back to his seat, he turns to the microphone, snatching it before the announcer can call the next graduate.
“What in the hell is he doing?” June mutters.
I shake my head, my mouth hanging open.
“This won’t take long,” Xavier says, his voice traveling through the speakers. He looks directly at me, his gaze boring into mine. “Come here, little raptor.”
My friends’ gazes drill into me, and I glance at them, wide-eyed.
The “what the fuck” expression is still glued to my face when I turn back to the stage, every part of my body on high alert.
Xavier continues to stare at me, and I swear I’m going to need a new heart after the one in my chest explodes.
For someone who’s concerned with my health, Xavier sure does test it a lot.
Raven stands and hauls me to my feet. “He’s looking for his dinosaur. You better get your ass up there, Delilah.”
The crowd murmurs as I walk on shaky legs toward the stage. I can feel everyone watching me, and my cheeks burn. Thankfully, Benjamin is waiting by the stairs to assist me.
“What in the hell is going on?” I ask, wrapping my arm around his.
“Everything is going to be fine. XoXo.”
“Okay,” I say with a wobbly smile. “OxOx.”
My brother escorts me across the stage, keeping me steady. Once Ben hands me off to Xavier, I lean toward him, my heart thundering in my ears. “What’s going on?” I whisper.
Xavier drags his knuckles along my cheek. “I’m asking.”
I scrunch my face in confusion. “What does that mean?”
He reaches into his gown pocket, pulling out a black-and-gold ring box with a bird engraved on the lid.
When he opens it, the lights above shine on the diamond, casting prisms of color across the stage.
Several gasps from the audience flit through the air, but I can’t look away. I can barely breathe.
Xavier steps forward and cups my face, bringing the microphone close to his mouth.
“I promised myself I wouldn’t propose to you until you’d graduated.
But I can’t wait any longer. I want everyone out there to know that you’re my girl.
That someday you’ll be my wife. That you’re mine.
Delilah Scott, will you do me the highest honor by becoming Mrs. Donovan? ”
I blink up at him. “Yes,” I mouth, my throat dry.
He smiles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You didn’t say anything. Is that a ‘yes’?”
I nod, not trusting my voice.
“Use your words, Delilah.”
“Yes, I will marry you.”
Xavier pulls the ring out and shoves the box in his robe pocket. Taking my left hand, he slides the ring onto my finger.
“Holy shit,” Raven screeches from the crowd. “That’s my roomie!”
June is standing as well, covering her mouth with her hands. The crowd bursts into applause as Xavier hands the microphone back to the announcer. Then he takes my hand.
“Fuck,” Xavier mutters. “I could come just from looking at my ring on your finger.”
“Oh, my God. Please don’t.”
He laughs and tugs me forward until I’m flush against him. “I love you, little raptor.”
“Always?”
“Always,” he says. “Now say it back before I spank you in front of all these people.”
“Shit. I love you. Fuck,” I stammer.
His smile widens before he leans down and kisses me. The crowd claps, whistles and catcalls, but the sounds glide past me. My pulse kickstarts, and my blood rushes through my veins as I lose myself in him.
Xavier eventually ends the kiss, leaving me sucking in gulps of air. He glances at his beeping watch and then me. “You good?”
“I think so.”
Xavier takes my hand and leads me from the stage. Ben gives me a thumbs-up, the gesture making me smile as I return to my seat with Xavier’s arm still around me. Eventually, most people stop staring. But not all.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a middle-aged woman several rows over, her gaze fixed intently on us—or more specifically, on Xavier. She’s beautiful. Her blonde hair is perfectly styled in a sophisticated manner, and her attire is tasteful yet undoubtedly expensive.
Despite her polished exterior, there’s a hardness in her eyes, a coldness that’s at odds with the joyous atmosphere. Every now and then, she shifts, her gaze never wavering. It’s disconcerting, the way she watches him.
“Do you know her?” I whisper, nodding subtly toward the woman.
Xavier follows my gaze, his expression shifting to something neutral. Detached. He nods. “That’s my mother.”
“Do you want to go sit with her?” I ask.
Xavier pauses, his eyes flicking back to where his mother sits, isolated and still staring in our direction. He looks back at me, the lines around his eyes deepening as he shakes his head.
“She’s only here for appearances. Or to thank me for getting rid of my father.”
“Really?”
He shrugs. “Now she has the Donovan name and the wealth, without him controlling everything in her life.”
“She’s living the dream.” When Xavier grabs the back of my neck and squeezes, I roll my eyes. “I’m just kidding. You know I don’t care about that stuff.”
He pulls me to him and rests his forehead against mine. “You’re nothing like her. She’s like ice, cold and lifeless. You’re pure fire, wild and passionate. I’d rather be burned alive and feel every bit of pain than slowly drift to sleep, completely dead inside.”
I close my eyes against the surge of emotion that rises within me. His declaration is just like his proposal: intense and brutally honest. He strips everything down to raw, stark truths, leaving no room for pretense between us.
But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Once Declan and Benjamin cross the stage, our group heads outside. The sun has already set, painting the sky in gold, pink, and purple. It’s romantic. Or I’m just stupidly in love.
“Congrats, man,” Ben says, shaking Xavier’s hand. “Take care of my sister, or I’ll kill you.”
Xavier smirks. “Yeah, yeah.”
Declan nods at Xavier. “Congratulations, dude.” Then he looks at me with a wide grin. “Just remember, I was his first love.”
I smile back, pressing myself to Xavier’s side. “Thanks.”
June shakes her head at Declan before hugging me. “Congratulations, you guys.”
“Thank you. Not just right now, but for everything you did while I was in the hospital.”
“Us brides have to stick together,” she whispers.
We pull apart, and Raven grabs me for a tight embrace. When I wheeze, Xavier frowns, and she releases me.
“Well, Watson, you’ve closed the case. I’ll miss our sleuthing adventures.”
“I won’t,” I say, laughing. “I want a boring life without any danger or mysteries.”
Raven purses her lips. “As long as you don’t abandon our quest for piss-ridden infamy, then I’ll be content.”
Ben snorts. “What?”
“It’s an inside joke from the day I met her,” I say.
“Well, ladies and gents, this has been fun, but I’ve got a poetry slam tonight.” Raven presses her hands to her chest with a dramatic air. “It’s my time to shine.”
“Knock ’em dead.” I pause, frowning. “Wait. Please don’t take me literally.”
She winks at me. “I make no promises.”
After saying her goodbyes, Raven walks away, blending in with the crowd that’s slowly dispersing. Ben watches her for a moment before turning back to face us.
“Raven is something else. Lilah, if you don’t make her part of your wedding, I’m worried she’ll put a hex on you.
” Ben looks at Xavier, his forehead wrinkling.
“Do you think the Order will interfere with your engagement? Don’t get me wrong.
I’m really happy for you guys, but I’m worried that you’ve pissed them off. ”
Xavier squeezes my waist, the possessive gesture calming me. “The leaders aren’t stupid enough to get rid of her now that I’ve made such a public announcement,” he says. “Anyone against the marriage will stay quiet, unless they’re willing to risk exposing the Order.”
Ben nods slowly, rubbing his chin. “If anything happened to her, people might become suspicious. Makes sense.”
June blows out a breath and folds her arms. “Speaking of the cult . . . do we have to go to the graduation party?”
“The Order expects us to show up, even if it’s only for a few minutes,” Declan says. “It’s an open bar, so you’ll be fine.”
June slaps his arm. “Then what are we waiting for?” She turns to me, her expression mischievous. “This might not be as lame as I originally thought.”