“Everyone’s bullied George,” I say. “She’s weird. You and Cleo were her worst tormenters, if you recall.”
A flicker of something that might’ve been regret passes through Mackenzie’s cold eyes.Or maybe she’s just blinking away a piece of dust.“That’s ancient history. The new Mackenzie stands up for the little guys. That reminds me.” She glares at me. “I need your phone.”
“Why?”
“Because mine fell out of my pocket in the middle of the desert and I don’t particularly want to go back to look for it.” She whips the phone from my hand and starts tapping the screen. “Relax. I’m not downloading radical feminist tracts over your porn or anything. I need to see what’s stored on my remote drive. And check in with my cat sitter.”
“You… have a cat?”
“Duh. You know this. Eli told you and Alec about the secret entrance to my house and you broke in and tried todisembowelher.”
What the fuck?“That’s sick.”
“Agreed.” She jabs the screen with surprising force. “Why do you think I branded my initials into his forehead? You would’ve got the same treatment, but I know you were at school that day.”
“If Alec did that, it was his own idea. He never said anything about breaking into your house or hurting a cat.”
“And if he came in through the secret entrance, it’s not because I told him,” Eli adds. “Even these guys don’t know about that.”
“I’ll have you know I’m an expert on entrances, secret and otherwise—”
Eli throws a cushion at Gabriel’s head. “Ignore him. Fuck, Mackenzie, is your cat okay?”
“She’s a fighter.” Mackenzie tosses her head back. “I needed to send you all a message – I don’t care what you do to me, but don’t fuck with Queen Boudica.”
“Your cat’s name is Queen Boudica?” Eli grins.
I feel a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth, but I’m not yet ready for it to take over. Today has been… strange. Mackenzie Malloy isn’t the thirteen-year-old-girl who gave me my first wet dream and ruined my life anymore. She has acat. She’s stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. And… she’s bug-nuts crazy.
The worst thing is… I think I kind of like it.
34
Mackenzie
After I fall asleep in front of the movie for the third time, I wake up in Gabriel’s arms as he carries me up to his room.
Before I realize I’m doing it, my body curls around Gabriel. I cling to his neck and breathe in that rich, pagan scent of his. The horror of the day fades into a distant nightmare as I bask in the beauty of him. The tips of his silken hair brush over my face, and it’s the most amazing sensation – his music come to life inside me.
I want him.
The thought hits me like a fist to the chest. Gabriel lights up the darkest, most hidden parts of me.I want him.I don’t give a fuck about Antony’s plan or my own fragile mind. I don’t care that I don’t yet trust Gabriel or that two other guys who confuse me with their kindness are right beneath us. I don’t care that I have no idea what the fuck I’m doing. Gabriel fucking Fallen sings the stars against my skin andI want him.
Mackenzie Malloy always gets what she wants.
Upstairs, he lays me on the bed and pulls the covers over me. I’m cocooned in his scent, in the cavern carved out by his body. My fingers lace in his, and I pull him close. Our cheeks brush together, and the touch sends a fire thrumming through my veins.
“There is one thing I want to know.” Gabriel’s voice touches my ear, and I turn into a puddle of melted, bubbling Mackenzie hormones. “If Eli’s a stalker and Noah’s a dick, what did I do to deserve a visit from your friends?”
I manage to choke out a reply. “I didn’t want you to feel left out.”
Gabriel’s laugh is a low rumble that reaches right to my toes. “Seriously, Mac. I’m intrigued.”
“It was because of the party.” The words are barely a whisper.
“Because I pushed you in the pool?”
I nod. But it’s not the truth. I sent Antony after Gabriel because of what happened before the pool, because of the kiss. I want so much for the way Gabriel makes me feel to be real, but that kiss proved it’s not. Gabriel is who he is – the perfect fantasy, the broken prince who sings the stars and the blood and the pain. But singing it isn’t the same as living it. He’ll never be real to me.
