Page 148 of Twisted Truth

“Heeeyyyy. I’m not a drunkard.” I curl into his side and rest my head on his shoulder, a little dizzy. “And I knew I didn’t have to worry about it, being with you. I can drink as much as I want when you’re around. No men will touch me or drug my drink. And I don’t have to worry about being assaulted on the way home. I know you won’t let anything bad happen to me.”

“You’re right, there,” he says, pulling me closer. “I told you—I take care of what’s mine.”

He runs his hand along my thigh, and I brush my hand up his chest. God, this man is like a fucking dream.

“Ya, I’m not staying with the two of you in a hotel,” Mayasays, eyeing us. “I’d rather not hear or know what the two of you will most definitely be up to tonight.”

Sterling chuckles darkly.

“You should stay with Sterling then,” Asher says. “He has like twelve extra bedrooms in hismanor.”

Sterling flips him off at the term.

“Yes!” I shout in agreement. “That way there’s no dodging handsy, pimply undergrad boys while you’re drunk.”

“Does that happen often?” Sterling demands.

She rolls her eyes. “Ella is exaggerating.”

“I am not! I’ve heard your stories!”

“Okay,” she concedes, holding up her hands in surrender.

“So that does happen regularly,” Sterling growls.

“Remember what kind of idiots the two of you probably were at that age,” she says, motioning to him and Asher. “And then imagine living with those idiots as a more seasoned adult.”

Sterling shudders. “Fucking hell, that sounds like torture.”

“I’d rather stab myself,” Asher adds.

“So, can she stay at your house?” I ask Sterling. “I mean, yourmanor?”

He rolls his eyes. “Of course you will stay,” he says to Maya. “I’m not going to let you go to a packed dorm party with handsy, pimply undergrad boys, and suffer until four a.m.”

“You’re not going toletme? As if you have any say?” Maya asks, narrowing her eyes at him. “Why do you even care? I’m practically a stranger.”

“I’m filled with altruism. It’s one of my shining characteristics,” Sterling deadpans. “Also, my mother would have my head if she knew of the situation and found out I did nothing.”

“A true gentleman,” I say. “Catherine Langford deserves a medal for her efforts in raising three boys.”

Asher chuckles, and I love the feel of his rumbling chest against my side. “That she does.”

“Then it’s settled. You’ll stay with Sterling tonight. And while I’m here in London, we’re moving you somewhere suitable.”

Maya tries to argue.

“Don’t even think about arguing with me, Maya Magpie! I’ve been worrying about you for three years, and I’m done with that shit. I can fix the situation now, so we’re fixing it.”

“What dimension am I in, and what the fuck is going on?” she mutters to herself.

I smile at her defeat. “You’re now in the Langford dimension, and buckle up, because it's a whole different kind of ride.”

Now both Asher and Sterling laugh.

40

ELLA