Page 25 of Blood Moon

She wrapped her arms around me, and for the first time since I realized she was in my bedroom, I remembered that only a thin towel hung between us. I might not have noticed if it hadn’t been for my reaction to her being so close.

I scooped her up and carried her to my bed. I knew that I should stop myself, but I couldn’t. I kissed her again as I eased her down on the bed. Just as she shrugged out of her sweater, I heard the door close.

“We have company,” I sighed as I pushed up from the bed. I grabbed a pair of pants and shrugged on a shirt. “Stay here, I’ll take care of it.”

Chapter 24

Delilah

If Viktor’s friend hadn’t arrived, I was pretty sure we’d have had sex again. As much as I wanted him, it was probably better that we’d been interrupted, especially after his rejection of me earlier. I couldn’t get past the nagging feeling that he was hiding something from me.

There was something about the way he’d pushed me away earlier that didn’t sit well. Maybe I was reading too much into the situation. I wondered if the only reason he wanted me was because Strain did as well. It wasn’t like I could just ask him. The last time I had tried to question his actions, I ended up locked in a cage for three days. And I still slept with Viktor the first chance I had. Wow, there was something really wrong with me. I decided to push that thought away. I would deal with that later.

After he left the room, I pulled my sweater back on. My phone vibrated, distracting me from trying to listen to the conversation happening in the other room.

Be careful who you trust.

I didn’t recognize the number. Who would be texting me at four in the morning?

Who is this? I replied. I knew it was a bad idea, but I couldn’t help it. I wanted to know who this was and what they were trying to warn me about.

You didn’t show up for our date.

Oh, shit. I sat up in the bed, suddenly tense.

Strain, I didn’t agree to a date. Why did you destroy the bar?

I waited a few minutes for the answer, wondering what was keeping Viktor.

He deserved worse. I don’t know what kind of lies he’s telling you about me, but if you want the truth, I’m happy to meet you somewhere to talk. And please call me Eli.

How did Strain—Eli— get my number? What could Viktor have done to make destroying my home simply collateral damage? I wanted to ask, but feared the answers I’d get.

I’m not going anywhere with you, especially after you almost killed my uncle.

I was fighting tears again.

Vinny’s your uncle? I had no idea. I’m sorry. He got in my way. I wasn’t there to hurt him. I wanted to get back at Maxwell.

I laughed to myself as I read his response. Did Strain think he could convince me that he wasn’t dangerous?

Yes, he’s my uncle. He practically raised me at Midnight. And you destroyed my home. Please leave me alone. I don’t want anything to do with you, or the crazy war you’re waging against Viktor.

I knew that I should just stop replying to the messages, but I couldn’t help myself. There was something about Strain that pulled me toward him as much as Viktor did.

When you realize that he’s lying to you, I’ll be there to pick up the pieces.

What was wrong with this guy? He was seriously persistent. And how did we get from him trying to kidnap me to claiming that he’s the only one who can tell me the truth?

Why should I trust you? It probably wasn’t smart to bait him. I should stop responding.

Because I know where you are. If I wanted to hurt you, I could be at the cabin in ten minutes. Is that a good enough reason?

When I didn’t answer, he stopped texting. I knew that I should tell Viktor about the messages, but a part of me wondered if Strain was telling me the truth. Or if he actually knew what Viktor was hiding from me.

I knew from my date with Viktor that the two men had a complicated past. It had to hurt to know that your brother-in-law had killed his own sister to keep you apart. I wasn’t sure how I would handle that.

I shifted my attention to the conversation between Viktor and his friend. I had no idea if the men were actually friends, but that sounded better in my head than anything else I could come up with.