Victoria had no idea who Quinn Everly was, and she wouldn’t get the chance to find out. Quinn would be gone before that happened. I’d make sure of it.
“She’s so very…breakable.” She scraped the tip of her fingernail down the side of my face to the side of my neck. “Don’t you think?”
My jaw clenched, eyes flashing to her icy blue gaze as it gleamed wickedly in the moonlight.
“It’s the moment of truth, Max.” With a quick prick of her fingers, she pulled her hand away and smirked. “Are you in, or are you out?”
Chapter Eight
My mind raced as I returned to Camelot Courtyard.
Max’s complete change in behavior over the last few days had left me reeling, unable to make sense of what was going on with him. I wanted to think about it logically, but the emotions of it all were catching up with me.
I couldn’t breathe.
Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t know what to do.
A small part of me wanted to listen, to submit to his demands that I leave Camelot Court for good and never look back, but I couldn’t do that. I had more to think about now.
Two other pieces of my heart that I had to consider.
Lost in my thoughts, I stayed away from the others. I met Izzy’s worried gaze and forced a smile to reassure her, then paced until Landon appeared with the other Knights, so they could escort us into the parlor.
As soon as we entered, I found Kingston and searched every inch of him for harm after being near his father. The sharp navy blue suit he wore for the unplanned occasion hid most of his bare skin.
That did nothing to ease my concerns.
He caught my probing gaze and gave me a secret smile.
I returned it, but the concern didn’t fade. I wanted to ask him if he was okay before going over to him and checking for marks myself. I was seconds away from doing it, too.
Before my anxiety got the best of me, Max appeared.
His onyx eyes met mine the second he entered the room, his features tightening and a jumble of conflicting emotions filling his gaze. Anger, pride, indecision—all compounded by his factory default setting for indifference when in a crowd.
I swore I caught a hint of regret, too.
But I must’ve been mistaken because the emotion vanished a second later. Right as Vivian walked into the room behind him, and together, they blew my goddamn mind.
Vivian put her hand on Max’s arm and glanced up at him, noting his attention was across the room. She followed his gaze to me, and her ice-blue eyes narrowed to slits before she schooled her features and straightened her spine.
Then, like I’d done at the second party, she smirked and brushed her hand down his arm.
I nearly launched myself across the room.
I’d had enough of her to begin with. I couldn’tbelieveI’d been naive enough during the last challenge to see her as anything more than a conniving wench. She was exactly who I’d thought she was from the beginning, and there was no way I’d let her get away with whatever scheme or power play she and her parents were trying to pull on Max.
Before I went for her throat, Landon, who stood at my side, tightened his grip on my arm.
I remembered where I was, and reluctantly, forced my feet to stay put. Reminding myself Max was a big boy. If he didn’t want her hand on him, he’d take care of it. He’d done it once before at the Honor Ceremony.
When he tensed beside her, I thought he’d do it. Throw her hand off and soak my panties again. Instead, his eyes darted down, and his next move shriveled up my remaining hope.
He took Vivian’s hand, smiled at her, and led her to their spot in the circle. Right across from Landon and me.
And he didn’t meet my eyes again.
I gripped Landon’s arm to steady myself. Anger, betrayal, and—let’s be honest—fucking whiplash made my head spin.
