“No. It’s okay.” She says it curtly, like she’s hurt, not angry.
But I don’t stop her. Even when the pounding of her steps echoes through the apartment. Not even as the door slams shut.
Because maybe she sees what I am. And she deserves a better man.
It’s lonely without her here.
Sunday night is Greek House meeting night for all fraternities and sororities.
I leadDelta’swithout any issues, other than having to address Lex Lynx almost getting arrested for another race against the cops. By this point, I feel like he’s just baiting them to see how much he can get by with.
Scout’s already in bed, half asleep, when I return home.Omegamust have ended early.
Despite the chill in the bedroom, I slip under the sheets and pull her toward my chest. Pressing a kiss to her neck, I whisper, “Goodnight, tulip.”
She doesn’t protest. Within a minute, she softens against my body, falling into a deep sleep.
That’s when I can rest.
Monday morning?
She’s gone. No note. And the winter light streaming through the windows is too blue.
That afternoon, I’m convinced I have an ulcer. All the pep talks in my head aren’t working to calm my nerves before heading to the president’s estate.
I stuff my hand in my pocket instead of shaking hers, relieved that she doesn’t offer it.
“Have a seat, Mr. Griffin.” The look on her face says this is all business. And I’m in trouble.
I clear my throat and lean forward. “What’s this meeting about?”
She waves to one of her enforcers at the door, and he steps outside. There’s one still lingering in the back, but she calls him forward. Instead of standing near her, he hovers over my shoulder. Like an impending threat.
With a plastic smile, she takes a deep breath. Expression calm, but serious. “Mr. Griffin? We’ve noticed your new wife has not been wearing her approved POT bracelet. The crew on the Wellness Initiative were waiting for her biofeedback to take some notes. And the pills… We need to know how she’s responding to the fertility vitamins she’s taking. The ones we approved.”
I swallow hard. I haven’t noticed if she’s been taking them or not. And now that she mentions it, I haven’t seen the bracelet, either.
Cold crawls over my skin until I break out in goosebumps.
“I see…” I hear myself say.
“Has Scout been expressing any…bouts of anger? Perhaps a lingering paranoia? Persistent distrust?”
“Paranoia?”
“Feeling as though others are plotting against her or conspiring toharmher in some way?”
The lollipop incident settles in my gut like iron. “No?”
The president’s silence is louder than anything she could say.
A tense moment rings between us. It stretches until I can’t take it any longer. “I’ll monitor her. Make sure she’s wearing the bracelet. She must’ve forgotten after a shower.”
President Damon lifts one eyebrow, waiting.
“And count her tablets, too. Note anything unusual. Any symptoms she may exhibit.”
A genuine grin comes over her and comforts me, allowing my shoulders to relax. “Perfect! That’s what a dutiful husbandand Viscountwould do for his appointed.”
