Mattie groaned again, screwing up her perfectly made-up face. “Don’t remind me.”
I laughed again, sitting up a bit more in my seat. Seeing her hungover was helping to distract me from all the heavy shit from last night. After the guys had told me everything I needed to know—or everything they were permitted to tell me—I’d bailed, citing the need for time to process.
Instead, I’d just lain in bed staring at the ceiling all damn night, then fallen asleep about five minutes before morning.
“Good morning, ladies,” Nolan greeted us, sitting down in the chair beside me and scooting closer, bumping my arm.
“Ow!” I hissed, jerking away and holding my arm protectively. I’d managed to compartmentalize my pain for the better part of the night, first with Rafe fucking me in the tunnels, then with all the information bombs he and Jordan dropped on me. But when I’d gotten back to my room, the ache had started setting in from where Justice had nicked me with his blade, and my first aid skills were somewhat lacking.
Nolan shot me a sharp look, and I gave him a small headshake. Sure, Mattie knew I'd been fighting, but she didn't need to know I'd been hurt. It was just a surface wound, anyway. No stitches needed... I hoped.
Mattie was oblivious, though, looking up at our waiter with heart eyes as he delivered coffee.
"I know why my darling twin looks like warmed-up roadkill today," Nolan commented, teasing his sister, "but why do you look so awful, New Girl?"
My eyes narrowed. "Gee, thanks."
His grin split wider. "Keeping you humble, gorgeous."
I sighed and rolled my eyes, reaching for one of the steaming coffees. "I was up late with Jordan and Rafe." It was the truth without spilling any confidential information.
"Damn, girl. Nice work," Mattie snickered, sipping her drink. "No wonder you're walking all stiff today."
I frowned, confused, then clicked on what she thought I’d meant. Ah fuck.
"That's not... I didn't..." I trailed off, shaking my head as my cheeks flush with heat. I would’ve liked to pretend it was embarrassment, but there was a healthy dose of arousal in there, too, at what Mattie was implying. Rafe and Jordan... and me...all night.
Groan.
"Well, Violet's rampant sex life aside, we should discuss the new transfer students. Or student." Nolan gave a small grimace, and I suddenly recalled that Zachary Fuckface was transferring here. Shit, how could I have forgotten? Looked like I’d be right under the resistance’s nose after all.
How many others here were secretly part of it as well?
Before we got around to discussing the transfer student, a hand rested on my shoulder, caressing the side of my neck, and my unconscious reaction was to lean into the touch—thinking it was Jordan. But the sour expressions on Nolan’s and Mattie's faces told me otherwise.
"What's this aboutoursex life, darling?" Alex purred from behind me, his grip tightening with a silent threat. "Have you been sharing all our dirty little secrets with your friends?"
"Oh fuck off, Alex," Mattie snarled, slamming her coffee down hard enough to slosh brown liquid into the saucer. "You're not welcome here."
"Ah, that's a shame. I always thought the Guays had such hospitable people too. Certainly your mother is always available for a nice chat whenever I call her." His voice held that unhinged, don’t-fuck-with-me tone that turned my stomach. This bullshit was between the two of us, and he needed to leave Mattie and Nolan alone.
"Stop it," I snapped, giving my shoulder a shake to try and dislodge his grip. "And take your hand off me before I break it."
Alex laughed a hollow, humorless sound but didn't remove his hand. "Ah, my love. Suchviolence. Come on; I need my loving girlfriend to help me with something."
I was so, so tempted to tell him to go fuck himself with a cactus, but I couldn't forget the look on Mattie's face the other day in the library after Alex played dirty and started some bullshit with her mom.
Gritting my teeth, I pushed back from the table, and this time Alex let me shrug his hand from my shoulder... only to wrap it around my waist when I stood. Fucker.
"Catch you later, friends," he said to Mattie and Nolan, giving them a smug grin.
I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood, just to hold the fury inside. Alex’s sudden appearance reminded me to check in with Jordan to see where he was up to on his virus plan. Seeing Alex hauled away in restraints—no matter how briefly he stayed locked up—would really put a smile on my face.
His hand stayed on my waist as we exited the dining room, and my skin fucking crawled. I hated that I needed to maintain the appearance of a happy couple with him. I hated that he held so much power that I had no idea how to combat. I hated...him. He'd totally fooled me with his nice-guy act. He'd made me fall in love, and the what-ifs would forever stick with me.
What if I hadn't overheard his conversation with Claudette?
What if he’d managed to get me pregnant?
