“Circ—” Stone closed his eyes and let out a breath. “Adora, this isn’t right."
Adora, he said, and the ache in my chest became a burn. I took a step closer and smoothed my palms across the sides of his abdomen inside his open coat. His warmth settled inside me, and I kept my head down, rolling my forehead against his chest, doing my best not to lose it completely. “I’ve been craving to hear you say my name for so long.”
When I lifted my head, he was looking down at me, his jaw muscles twitching.
He grabbed my wrist and held them between us, rubbing his thumb against my pulse. I went to kiss him, to make the most of this moment with him in case it was my last.
Stone’s breath shuddered across my lips, and he closed his eyes. But just before our mouths touched, he turned away from me. He took a deep breath and a step back. “You’ve made your choice, and it’s not me. At the very least, keep your word, stand by your choice by being loyal to him, and—for once—be honest with him, Adora. It’s what I would have wanted from you.” Stone’s jaw clenched, and an immeasurable amount of strength dripped off him when he leaned in, pressing his mouth close to my ear to whisper his next words. “So, after I leave this tiny room you dragged me into, do us all a favor. Return to your dashing fiancé and ask him how my cock tastes.”
I winced when he inched back, and our eyes collided.
I could feel his warm exhale flutter my lashes.
“We’re not over, and you know it,” I whispered, stiff and aching from holding myself together. “Iwillsee you again.”
“My darling siren,” he said, shaking his head. “Don’t hold your breath.”
I didn’t get a chance to stop him before he turned and opened the closet door.
Light flooded in. Julian Blackwell stood on the other side, awaiting him.
Julian’s brows jumped. “Well, hello, you mysterious motherfucker.”
I held my breath as the two locked eyes.
Stone didn’t say a word. He took a step around Julian, but Phoenix and Beck appeared. And the three surrounded Stone, blocking him.
Phoenix and Stone were the same height, and when Phoenix stepped up to him, he sized Stone up. “I see you slipped into Weeping Hollow and fell into some pussy.” Phoenix adjusted Stone’s coat lapels. “Does Adora’s closet bitch have a name?”
Stone looked him in the eyes, unwilling to answer.
My eyes bounced between them, wishing Stone would saysomething.
“I don’t have time for this.” Phoenix grabbed Stone by the collar and slammed him against a wall. “Who the fuck are you?”
“Tell them you were just on your way,” I insisted.
Stone lifted his chin as he stared down at him.
The silence only provoked Phoenix’s nerves, and he clenched his teeth, released Stone’s collar, and threw his fist into Stone’s cheekbone with athwack!
Stone didn’t stumble. He stood taller, breathing deeply through his nose, brash-black eyes on Phoenix.
I tried to fight my way between them. “Just let him leave,” I rushed out. “Please, if you let him go, you will never have to see him again.”
Julian lifted his hand, and a wind-like force took me off my feet and threw me back into the closet. My back hit a shelf of cleaning supplies, and they toppled over me as I fell to the floor. I glanced up to see Stone shove Phoenix to the side, grab Julian by the shirt, and ram him into the opposite wall just before the closet door magically slammed shut.
I pulled myself off the floor and onto my feet, my slick heels sliding across the tile. My dress was tight around my thighs, and I fell forward into the door, trying the handle, but it wouldn’t open. The knob wouldn’t even turn.
I banged my fist against the door. “Stop!” I screamed.
No sounds came from the other side. I shouted again, throwing my fist and palm against the door until someone finally opened it from the other side.
I stumbled forward into Alice, almost knocking her to the ground.
The hallway was empty. There was only Alice and I.
Stone and the Heathens were gone.
