“I’ll be fine, dad,” I replied, fighting an eye roll. Dad didn’t deserve my occasional rebellion. He was the perfect father and despite the years of absenteeism through no fault of his, he was forever making up for it, in every way possible. Leaning against the window ledge I pulled my hair into a messy bun on top of my head. “Visiting with your sister and her chaotic family is not fun. I’ve got some serious studying to do, I need the quiet.” I glanced over his shoulder catching Eliana’s grimace. She stood in the doorway pouting over why she had to go with him while I got to stay home alone. With six kids, all of whom were extremely loud chatterboxes, my aunt’s home resembled NASA’s headquarters on a launch gone wrong. “Anyway, Cian will pop in and out, remember?”
“And your mother promised to check in with you,” Dad reminded, earning a scowl from me. He laughed. “I made it quite clear she’s not to stay longer than five minutes, if that helps?”
Smiling, I slid my arms around his neck and dropped a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you. I’ll be good,” the promise slipped from my lips belying the churning excitement in my stomach over having the house to myself.
All sorts of plans started manifesting, the day my father decided to finally visit his sister in Texas to help her husband with some business adventure I wasn’t interested in hearing about. Finally, I could get Justin to visit, not that I was really into him. After Cian’s subtle nudge to give him a try, I reluctantly agreed it was time to lose my virginity. Justin wasn’t bad looking, quite sweet and not like I had an ocean of guys falling over themselves to get in my panties. Besides, the man I really and truly wanted, wasn’t interested.
“I’ve no doubt.” Dad drew me out of my musings. “Call me if you need anything and make sure to lock up after we leave, okay?” He kissed the top of my head then grabbed his luggage off the bed. “You ready to go, Lilo?”
“No,” my sister grumbled before walking away to fetch her bag.
I’d just waved off my father and sauntered into the kitchen for a snack, when the doorbell pealed. Taking a bite of the banana I grabbed from the fruit bowl, I opened the door to Cian’s ecstatic smile.
“Get dressed, Lee, we’re going to Bethany’s. She’s throwing a birthday party for her cousin and her parents are out of town too. So, loads of drinking, eating and if we’re lucky, boys,” she rushed on, not giving me a chance to say hi. Laughing, I shook my head. “Let’s go.” Grabbing my hand, she took a bite of my banana then followed me upstairs to my bedroom.
“Do you really want to go to Bethany’s?” I asked as she opened my closet doors and riffled through my clothing. After the end to my last disastrous party, I wasn’t sure if I was up to being roofied again. Although, being saved by Mr. Sinclair wouldn’t be so bad. Honestly, I’d get into trouble just to have him rescue me once more. The thought made me smile.
“What do you mean?” Cian glanced at me over her shoulder. “You got somewhere else in mind?”
Plonking my butt on the edge of the bed, I finished off the banana and tossed the peel into the trashcan. “I told Justin I’d be home alone, and we should come back here after we go clubbing.”
Shocked, Cian spun around. “Shut up,” she all but yelled. “Why the hell didn’t you say something.” She rushed toward me and jumped on the bed, the momentum pulling me down with her. Rolling onto her side, she stared at me for a moment, her brow creased in a deep frown. “Are you going to let him?” I knew what she was asking and shrugged. “God, Lee, he’s like one of the hottest guys in school.”
Not really danced on the tip of my tongue. That title belonged to an unobtainable man—a man whose touch alone made being roofied seem like heaven. “If you say so.”
“So, what’s the plan?”
Reaching into my bedside drawer, I pulled out two fake ID cards. “My aunt made these the last time she visited.
“Oh, hell yes.” Cian sat up, cross-legged. “These look so legit, Lee. Your aunt’s awesome.”
“Yeah, I know.” I laughed. “Anyhoo, I was thinking we’d visit that club downtown, Insanity.”
Her gaze flew to my face. “That’s like a real hectic place. I mean all the college guys go there.”
“Exactly.” I wiggled my brows, my face filling with a mischief smile. “My aunt says if I intend doing anything wrong the first time, I should always go big.” I winked. “So, my first night club visit, should be something bold and hot, a place where sex is a game changer.”
“Your aunt always gives you such delicious advice?” Cian dropped back to the bed and stared at the ceiling, pouting. “My aunt is like a crazy person with her unkempt gray hair and a favourite shawl that smells like her cats couldn’t make it to the litter box in time.” She faked a gag.
Laughing at the image she created in my head, I vaulted off the bed. “C’mon, forget about Cat woman and let’s find something to wear.” I riffled through my clothes, found what I wanted and quickly replaced my shorts and tee with the items. Finishing it off with the white diamond-studded collar that tethered me to Saint and silver hoop earrings, I inhaled sharply. “I’m thinking sexy naughty. What do you think?” I turned away from my closet to find Cian’s stupefied gaze on the skirt and top I now wore. “What?” I asked, suddenly unsure of my choice.
“Damn, girl. When did you get all slutty on me?” She came closer and inspected my clothes. “Yup, I’d definitely say intention achieved. The question is, would you really go through with it?” She stepped back.
My heart sank. “You think it’s too over the top for my body?”
Cian rolled her eyes. “Babe, you’re freaking gorgeous, and your confidence lately has been sick. Even I’m in awe of the change to ‘the keep to herself girl’ I met those first two weeks you arrived here. After that whole homecoming with Samantha, you’ve given all the girls at our school, who are not the cliched slim-trim-prom queen type, something to believe in. And this right here.” She pointed to the clothing. “Is the epitome of ‘I am the she-wolf so, stand up and take note, bitches.’ You know what I’m talking about, girl.” One hand on a hip, she clicked the fingers of her other hand, going all Tiffany Haddish on me.
Laughing at her poor imitation, I nodded, remembering another conversation with the French woman at the ritual, about being the she-wolf to the alpha.
“This is a nice touch, haven’t seen it before.” Cian ran a finger along the collar. “It’s beautiful. Another present from your aunt, I suppose.”
Shaking my head, I smiled. If she only knew. Fingering the collar, I speculated whether Saint would remember it, that’s if he saw it. Chances of that happening were slim to none. And if by some miraculous intervention, he made an appearance, he just might meet the pet she-wolf he’d released into the wild. I grinned at the memory of him calling me ‘pet’ and how I fought him on it.
“A present from someone who I’d believed was special. Twice. Then he ripped my heart out and tossed it in a box along with his other toys. Now he wants to play, and I’m all grown up,” I whispered more for my own ears as I turned to eye my reflection, not recognizing the woman staring back at me. My gaze drifting from my face down to the red Louboutin heels Aunt Trina had given me as a sixteenth birthday present. I’d never found a reason to wear them before and tonight seemed like the perfect moment to bring out these beautiful babies.
“Do I know him,” Cian asked.
Laughing, I shook my head. “He’s an older man, who’s my dad’s friend.”
