Page 19 of Serpent & Saviors

The other man stepped back, and I slowly made my way to the hatch door, wishing in secret I had died.

The morning sun filtered in through the window, and I shielded my eyes. I’d stayed on the couch last night, unable to bring myself to join her in bed. Waking up with a crick in my neck did nothing to improve my mood.

Coupled with the dull throb behind my eyes from last night’s drinks, I was in sad shape. My body ached, and not just from the couch. As if the universe dished out just rewards in heaps, reminding me of last night’s stupidity.

How could I have been so foolish?

Stretching only made things worse. A frustrated groan escaped as the memory of texting Ivan last night surfaced. Shit. I was supposed to meet him at the gym downstairs. A quick glance at the time confirmed I had fifteen minutes, tops. I looked down at my wrinkled shirt. Clothes. Right.

Reluctantly, I made my way to the bedroom and quietly entered. My eyes landed on the bed, and I stepped closer. Victoria lay uncovered, curled up in a ball, wearing a baby-blue nightgown. It hugged her soft, feminine frame and was so her. She was beautiful, exactly how I imagined she’d look in it when I browsed Geraldine’s online store.

And yet, it didn’t sit right. I liked my shirt on her better. I pushed a strand of her honey-colored hair back, and her brows furrowed.

“But a boy needs his mother,” she croaked out, lost in a dream.

I sighed, her words somewhat confirming my initial thought. Cameron was using the boy against her. There wasn’t anything I could do at that exact moment, so I shook off my need to fix it. I slipped into the bathroom and changed. Fifteen minutes dwindled to ten, and Ivan would push me harder if I was late.

Damn, this workout with him needed to both ease the ache in my neck and the discontent raging in my mind. I slipped on my trainers and cast one last look at the bed before heading down. The lift opened, and Ivan walked through the lobby doors. I’d barely made it.

He nodded and strode over. “Well, you look like shit.”

“I feel like it too. Thanks for noticing. How’s the family?”

“Let’s see. Alek’s pissed that Nik called Sophia and insisted Kinsley go away with her. She and Isabella have joined forces and have locked themselves in Bella’s studio. Hannah stopped by the club looking for Pasha. Bash was the only one there. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you, but it didn’t end well.”

“Well, at least none of you fucked a broken woman last night, one you barely know, without protection.”

He halted mid-step, his expression darkening. Before I could respond, his palm slammed into my chest, sharp and deliberate. It set me back a few steps.

“You’re joking,” he said, his jaw clenched, the muscle ticking as he stared me down, searching for any sign I wasn’t serious.

When he got no answer, his nostrils flared. He took a step back, shaking his head. His fingers flexed at his sides. I half expected him to throw me against the wall or start shaking the shit out of me.

“Tell me you didn’t?”

“I wish to God I could, Brother, but unfortunately, I can’t. She said she’s on birth control, but you know how I am. If there’s even the slightest chance…”

I let my voice trail off, not wanting to give voice to my fear. I had to look away as uncertainty filled his eyes. He knew my reasoning, so I didn’t have to say more. A muscle ticked in his jaw as he took out his phone and sent a text.

“What the fuck am I going to do with you?” he murmured and shoved me toward the lift.

We headed to the gym, neither of us talking. The moment we stepped inside, I exhaled in relief. It was empty. Without a word, we headed for the treadmills. The familiar rhythm of routine offered a temporary escape. One I desperately needed.

The belt whirred to life beneath my feet, and I fell into an easy pace. Beside me, Ivan chose a route, his gaze fixed ahead. The silence between us stretched heavy, but not uncomfortable, until he finally broke it.

“I know I’m your best mate, but I need to know. Why haven’t you called Bash and asked him to step in? Cameron conceded to leave her alone for the next few days. It’s okay to sit it out. It’s not like any of us would think less of you.”

“I don’t know,” I stammered, feeling my thighs burn as the incline on the machine increased.

He shot me a look. “Not good enough. Try again. I’ve never known you not to have an answer when it comes to your thoughts on something.”

I sighed, feeling even more uncomfortable. The complexity of the situation wasn’t even the reason for my hesitation. There was some truth in his last statement. I didn’t want to recuse myself because, despite the guys not thinking less of me, it was akin to admitting personal defeat.

One in which I was inferior, once again. And all because my fucking old bully from fourteen years ago found his way back into my life. I didn’t want to tell him, but a part of me wanted to rip Victoria from Cameron’s life to prove I was better than him.

To prove that the fat, insecure kid he tormented long ago came out on top yet again. I thought that burning need to feel validated had left me entirely at the spring formal when we were in sixth-form college.

“You realize this isn’t a game, right?” Ivan asked, not holding back. “Her life and emotions, not to mention her son’s, are on the line here. You’re not asking yourself the right questions anymore.”