“Next time…” Leaning in close to him, I brush the flat of the knife against his open wound as I grab hold of his hand. He tries to pull it back, but I press harder, backing him up against a tree. “Don’t threaten what’s mine.” I smile, then drop the knife to his midsection, applying pressure where the point is piercing through his shirt to the skin underneath, directly below his ribcage. Not enough to sink through muscles and tissue, but enough that he feels the truth in my words. “There’s nothing like a little disembowelment to get my point across.”
I would have killed him.
But it’s forbidden to kill members.
THIRTY-SEVEN
CORA
He’s blocking my path as I step out of my apartment building and stopping me from getting into my car.
“Move,” I tell him.
“I let you have your space. Now, I’m requesting to see you.”
I huff in annoyance. “How kind of you to give me space after you lied to me,” I scoff, hurt that he lied to me. I don’t want to play mind games with him.
“Technically, I didn’t lie. I just never told you.”
“Yes, so chivalrous of you.” I place my hand on my heart. “What a man you are.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your words of affirmation. Now, if you would be so kind as to go on a date with me.”
“A date?” I blurt in shock. “You do understand I wasn’t serious, right?”
“Yes, I noted the sarcasm dripping in your beautiful voice. I just chose not to acknowledge it.” I stay where I am as he takes a step closer. “A date. Please.”
“Did it hurt to say please to me?”
“No, it came out naturally, which is unusual for me.”
“Noted.”
“So, will you go on a date with me?”
“Sure, I’ll meet you.”
He eyes me skeptically before he says, “I can work with that.” I go to step around him, but he blocks my path again. “I’ll send you the address.”
I remain silent as he stands there, looking way too good, which makes me even angrier. He notices. I know he does, but he says nothing about it.
“Okay,” I finally answer. And this time, when I go to pass him, he allows it. I get into the car and try my hardest not to look back at him. But just as Matty turns the corner, I chance a quick glance and find him watching me drive away.
A few moments later, a text comes through—luckily, I had unblocked him. It’s his location, asking me to come to his place. I delete it and then call Delaney to check on her. She doesn’t answer, which makes me a little concerned because she always answers, or at least replies with a text saying she’s busy. I send her a text, asking her to call me when she can because I want to make sure she’s okay. She still hasn’t replied by the time I get to work. Right now, I’m worried about her headspace because I know she was falling in love with James—Rylas—and someone like Delaney falls hard.
I spend most of the day checking my phone for a reply from her, but I don’t get one. I even made a point to call her office, but they told me she didn’t come in today, which has me even more worried.
I finish up my last meeting, and then I immediately have Matty take me to her house. Checking my watch, I see I was supposed to be meeting up with Arlo right now. But, to be honest, I wasn’t really planning to go on a date. I just agreed so he would move out of the way.
She doesn’t answer when I knock and wait several minutes. Then I remember I have a spare key at home. After running back to the car, I tell Matty to drive me home. I call her repeatedly on the way, but she never answers. By the time we arrive at my place, I’m frantic.
When I arrive at my apartment, I find Arlo sitting on the steps. He stands when he sees my car pull up, and before I can even open my door, he’s opening it for me.
“You knew I wasn’t coming.” It’s a statement, not a question.
“Of course I did.” He waves for me to get out, but I stay seated.
“Why are you here?” I ask.
