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.”
“Westill 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 onlymacro. 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 pre-med, I’ll graduate before him.”
We share a look, and her gaze drops 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 heart-warming 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 LoJack-ing 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 friend’s 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.
