To say Ezra’s living room is stunning is the understatement of the century. Somehow, I missed that when I tried to kill the vampire. Guess I got distracted …
The reflective glass makes up two of the three walls, which are situated right along the edge of the woods. Ezra’s right; the floor-to-ceiling windows really create the illusion of being outside.
The third wall is a built-in bookshelf packed with every genre of book imaginable. I spend a few blissful moments browsing, but when my gaze drifts toward the comfy-looking couch and coffee table, something catches my eye.
Are thosemycopies of1Q84andThe Only Good Indians?
I brush my fingers over the familiar tear in the cover of1Q84.
Proof that it’s mine.
That Ezra didn’t just grab books; he grabbedmybooks.
I sink into the overstuffed couch with a happy sigh, my book clutched to my chest.
But just as I settle, my phone blares, breaking the quiet with all the grace of shattering glass.
Crap.
I already know who it is.
My fingers hover over the screen before I exhale sharply. I remind myself that I am, in fact, a badass bitch … then swipe to answer.
“Finally! What the actual fuck, Aurora? Where are you? Are you okay? Are you hurt? Blink twice if you’re being held hostage. I’ve been trying to call for an entire day! No one’s heard from you, Louie isn’t at your house, and we stopped by Ezra’s—”
Eve pauses, then mutters under her breath, “Shit, I just told you to blink twice, like I could even see you.”
She inhales deeply, then asks softly, “Wait. Did you even make it home from your date?”
Eve sounds pissed … and worried. I really fucked up. Her panic is just love dressed up like fury, so I approach the conversation as gently as I can.
“Hey, Eve. I’m, uh, really sorry I scared you. I’m okay, and I have Louie with me. It’s … kind of a long story—”
Eve cuts me off while Thane asks about me in the background.
“I’ve got all damn day. Give me the highlights now, but I need proof of life. You’re meeting us at The Cardinal later for dinner, okay? I’ve been so worried!”
Eve sobs into the phone while Thane gently consoles her. I’m glad she didn’t have to go through this alone.
Now, how the hell am I going to tell Eve about Jameson without making her feel guilty? Strip away the supernatural, water it down all I want, he’s still a monster. She’ll blame herself no matter what.
“So, my date with Jameson did not go well. I don’t know how to say this, but he, um, assaulted me and kind of tried to kill me. I’d be dead if Ezra hadn’t been out for a late-night walk. He saved my life. That’s where I am now … his house. I’ve been asleep since late Friday evening.”
It’s a version of the truth, at least.
“What … the fuck. But we stopped by yesterday, and no one was there. So … nice, sweet Jameson, the guy who texted you non-stop, tried to kill you, and dark daddy Ezra saved you? Shit, I’m so sorry, Aury. You wouldn’t have been in that situation if I hadn’t pushed you into it.”
“It’s not your fault, Eve. Jameson was very charming until he drugged me, forced his dick down my throat, then tried to strangle me. Heh.”
Silence. Absolute silence.
Then a sharp inhale, like Eve’s trying not to scream.
I’m really glad I didn’t mention the oral castration.
“Shit, Aury. Do you want us to pick you up and take you home? I’m sure you’re exhausted. And you should probably see a doctor.”
Huh, I never actually considered that.
