“Nah, bro,” Raine smirked. “College is all about failing spectacularly and calling it character development. It’s encouraged, really.”
“Can’t fucking wait.”
The fire cracked loudly, sparks popping. Kaylor shifted, her fingers curling tighter around me. She mumbled my name clearly enough that both Raine and I heard it.
He caught my eye and raised one eyebrow knowingly but mercifully said nothing.
19
KAYLOR
If someone told me a week ago that I’d be moving into the Corvos’ estate again, I would have laughed in their face. And yet, here I was, gathering my shit and leaving the comfort of my cousin’s house for the cold grandeur of Donovan’s domain. And doing my best to pretend I wasn’t about sick to my stomach about it.
Speaking of my cousin, Brock took the news about as well as I’d expected, which was to say not well at all. He swore, punched the wall, and vowed to destroy Donovan if he didn’t hold up his end of the deal. Typical Brock, but it was nice to know how much he cared, and I owed him my life.
Mason and Maddox showed up twenty minutes later in one of the Corvo SUVs, music blaring from the open windows, looking far too glum for guys going home. You would think they would be happy to sleep in their own beds. Kreed asked the twins to help me with my bags and drive me to the Willows, where he would meet me. Donovan wasn’t home. Convenient? Regardless, I was grateful for his absence. I still needed to adjust to the idea of living in his house again, and it would be easier to do so if he were never there.
“Damn, menace,” Maddox said as he leaned against the doorframe, surveying the guest room I’d been staying in. “How the fuck is it possible you collected so much shit?”
“I’m a girl,” I retorted, tightening the straps on one of the duffels. “This is just a few essentials.”
“Essentials,” Mason echoed dryly, lifting one of the bags with a grunt. “If your essentials weigh this much, I’m scared to see what your nonessentials look like.”
“Shoes are essential,” I countered.
“Debatable,” Maddox said, slinging another bag over his shoulder. “Last time I checked, you had two feet. Why do you need six pairs?Howdo you have six pairs?”
“Fashion, Maddox. Ever heard of it?”
He grinned. “And yet you choose to live in Kreed’s hoodies.” He plucked at the corner of my shoulder, lifting the black fabric.
I rolled my eyes despite how accurate his statement was. Could I help it if they were the most comfortable thing I’d worn? And right now, I needed comfort over fashion. “You and your brother have two brain cells between you, and they’re constantly fighting for custody.”
Mason snorted. “She’s definitely been spending too much time around Kreed.”
That earned him a playful shove from me. “Trust me, I’ve had enough of your brother’s brooding to last a lifetime.”
“Impossible,” Maddox said, his grin widening. “You’re addicted. We all see it. You’ve got it bad.”
Shit. Had Kreed told them what I said? That I’d blurted out my undying love? “Did he say something?” I didn’t care if I suddenly sounded paranoid.Ifelt paranoid.
Maddox’s brows furrowed as he eyed me. “Like what?”
Okay, so that meant they didn’t know about my embarrassing confession. I ignored him and stuffed another hoodie into an open duffel, pretending I hadn’t just turned scarlet. “Do you ever shut up?”
“Not when I’m right,” Maddox said, flashing that trademark Corvo smirk.
I rolledmy eyes.
The drive back to Willows Estate felt interminably long, each mile stretching into eternity despite the speed Maddox maintained. My stomach was a tight knot of nerves, and every turn of the winding road the knot tightened.
“You gonna be sick?” Mason asked from the passenger seat, twisting around to look at me with genuine concern creasing his forehead. “You’re looking a little pale.”
“I’m fine,” I lied, pressing one hand against my churning stomach.
Maddox caught my gaze in the rearview mirror. “You don’t have to pretend. Not with us.”
“We already know how brave you are, but you don’t have anything to prove to us.” Mason winked at me. “You’re family now. And we protect our own even from each other.”
