“You know I love you. But right now . . .”
“Hey, none of that. I know you love me. And I know you love him. It’s okay. We can’t help these things, Mia. You don’t owe me anything.”
“I just want you both to focus on getting through your trials, and I don’t want to be a distraction.”
“You’re the best distraction.”
“But I can’t distract you both from this. It’s too important. I need you two to work together, I need Leo to help you get through this, and neither of you will be able to do that with me between you.”
“Rebel . . .”
I move off his lap, sitting back on my knees, facing him. He reaches out to wipe away the tears. “You know I’m right. Just be nice to him, okay? You don’t know the real him. I need you two to get through this and not want to rip out each other’s throats because of me.”
Parker opens his mouth, and I know he’s going to fight me on it. I put my fingers over his lips, stopping him. “Promise me, Park.” He squints at me before nodding once, opening his mouth just enough to nip at my fingers.
I grab his hand, placing a long, hard kiss to the center of his palm before standing and walking away, leaving the other half of my heart behind.
Chapter 9
Parker
The only good thing about October is the Fright Night parties. Asher and I go to them every year together, and even though Mia is off-limits to me right now, I still need to get out and live a little. Sitting around and being depressed isn’t going to help anyone.I’m not shocked that Mia broke things off completely with me, but it does hurt. I just need to hang on to hope.
My excitement over the party at Grimsley Hall is quickly squandered when I get to my bedroom and find a crimson envelope waiting for me in the center of my desk. “Fuck, man, really? That soon?” I say under my breath.
I rip open the envelope, pulling out the card.
Sub rosa
Your first trial has called you. It’s time toconfess.
Under the rose? “Well, looks like I’m doing this trial without Leo’s help ahead of time.” I quickly get dressed, pulling on a pair of dark denim jeans and a hoodie, and head to the living room to wait for Asher. He always takes forever, so I pull out my phone, bringing up some old photos of Mia and me. I scroll through them, my heart in my throat, wishing like hell I could find a way to fix all of this.
“You ready?” Asher asks like he’s the one who’s been waiting for me. I release a pent-up breath, rolling my eyes at him.
“Took you long enough, I’ve been out here waiting.”
“Chill, Dad, I’m right on time. It’s not like we have to drive to get there. It’s around the corner,” he says as if it’s not a big deal that we get there late. But then again, why would he be in a rush? I want to know what the hell I’m walking into tonight.
“I’m ready to find out what all the fuss is about. People have been guessing the theme for weeks, especially because we had to RSVP. Who does that?”Corvus, I say in my head, answering my own question.
“Yeah, whatever it is, it should be a good time. Week one was intense.”
It absolutely was for me, watching my woman be ruthlessly fucked in the dirt like the primal goddess she is. Little rebel, being so dangerous, playing in public.
“They usually are, brother.”
“You lookin’ for a hookup tonight?” he asks me as we fall into step with each other.
“Of course I’m looking,” I lie. Well, I guess it’s not a complete lie. I’m always looking to hook up with Mia. And if she hadn’tasked for space, I’d be half tempted to sneak into her room tonight to watch her sleep, maybe fuck her while she’s sleeping. My lips curl up at the side. She loves waking up in the middle of the night to her pussy being eaten.Such a greedy girl.
“Wasn’t sure if you were done crawling back to Mia every time you get an itch.”
I drop my head back and groan at the thought of her taste on my tongue.
“She’s gonna be the death of me. She’s seeing Leo, and he doesn’t seem down for sharing.” In fact, he said it in no uncertain way, he is definitely not down for sharing.Pretty sure she’s breaking it off with him, too, though.
“You are?”
