Page 89 of His To Claim

“Well, that was quite an unnecessary show, brother,” Wyntersays, scowling directly at me when she speaks. I haven’t really ever spoken to her but something about the way she looks at me gives me the impression she doesn’t like me very much. They both move around us heading over to the bar.

The party drags on for the rest of the night and the three of us remain here in the VIP section with the guys, only leaving to use the restroom, or get some food. I tell myself I’ve stayed put to avoid the glaring stares and annoying comments from my fellow classmates, but in reality, I think I’m terrified of running into Drake and the guys, or worse, Ruby. Ruby and I have purposely avoided each other at the quarter. She’s rarely home and when she is, I stay locked in my room. I don’t know when I’ll be able to face her after all the horrible, hurtful things I said to her. She’s right to hate me, they all are. And avoiding Drake means also avoiding Jax who wants nothing to do with me, and Kai, who is staying away to give me the space I need to see this through.

The only bit of excitement tonight has been when Bass’ entertainment, dancers from a strip club nearby, graced the stage dressed in Vegas showgirl outfits, topless of course. Ace stayed in the VIP section with me while the rest of the group went over to get front row seats, Jade included. Stella comes over and sits beside me as Ace heads to the bar grabbing us another drink.

“You know, I don’t judge you, right? I never will,” she says, as I turn to face her.

“You’d rightfully be doing so,” I say.

“Scar, what you did was out of love. Love for Ace. You unknowingly pushed Drake away because you knew your feelings for Ace were growing stronger, more real. You didn’t want to hurt him.”

“And now look at what I’ve done.”

“He’s just as guilty for pushing you into a relationship you weren’t ready for.” She fidgets slightly, seemingly uneasy.

“Stella, why are you telling me this?” I ask, just as Ace returns with the drinks.

“Well, well, looks like our Dragon is back in business. That didn’t take long.”

I gaze toward Ace, rapidly turning and looking in the direction he’s staring. And my heart instantly drops at the sight before me. Drake is standing in the middle of the dance floor, clearly drunk off his ass, with a blonde, dimwitted bimbo wrapped around his arm. My stomach falls, as bile rises at the sight of her arms around his neck, their lips almost touching. I grab the drink from Ace’s hand and swallow it down in one swift gulp. He can’t be, not with her. I know I have no right, not after what I did, after how I ended things, but please Dragon not with her.

“I guess I’ll go get another one for you,” Ace says, retreating to the bar.

“He’s hurt, Scarlett, he’s drunk and lashing out the only way he knows. By trying to make you hurt as well,” Stella says.

“That’s the thing about Damon Drake, Stella,” I say, grinning slightly. “He’s never drunk. He’s always aware of what he’s doing, and his motives here are clear. He wanted revenge, and like you said he knows exactly how to get it. Us fucked up, troubled teens never do anything without thinking twice, deep down our intentions are always clear. I slept with Ace, and despite what I’d like to believe, it’s exactly what I wanted. I used him, and by doing so I hurt my best friend. And now he’s doing the same. I guess Jade was right. Drake and I are one and the same.”

She looks toward Ace and then brings her attention back to me.

“When Monday comes around things are going to be different,” she whispers. I look up to her nodding my head. “Other than Carrington, Ace has never had a girlfriend. And honestly, I don’t think they’ve ever been official,” she says, looking over to Ace once again, making sure he can’t hear.

“That means nothing to me, Stella,” I tell her.

“Yeah, well, I’ve also never seen two people kiss each other as passionately as you two just did. I mean, you could feel the heatradiating off of you and floating in the air when you two kissed. It left everyone around you speechless, and if I’m being honest, a little turned on.” I laugh as she fans herself, a light blush creeping along her cheeks.

“None of that matters to me. Do I find him attractive? I’m alive, aren’t I? Is he a good kisser, a magnificent lover? Hell yeah, I won’t deny it. But Ace means nothing to me. He’s a means to an end. A bridge to get to what I really want. You know why I’m here, why I’m doing this,” I say, but she doesn’t look convinced.

“Yeah, I know. I just hope for your sake, you do too.”

Thirty-One

SCARLETT

For two weeks, Ace and I have paraded around the school, a full-on couple now, and everyone knows it. I’ve been deemed off-limits to all the catty bitches, and the guys have been ‘made aware’ to stay away. Ace is protective, demanding, and downright cynical, but I’ve played along.

Gone is the girl who had a rebuttal for everything, the one who challenged his every move. If I’m going to make him believe I’m all in, then he needs to believe he’s tamed me, made me conform to what he wants me to be. He craves submission, obedience, and I exude resistance.

But for this mission I must give in. I’m not sure if Agent Servite is aware of our relationship. I have yet to hear from him again since the masquerade ball, which only frightens me. He’s sure to make another demand any day now and this one I cannot mess up.

Drake has still been avoiding me, but I’ve talked to Kai a few times and he assures me he’s doing fine. Well, as fine as Drake can be. He said he’s back to smoking constantly and takes off somenights, but he doesn’t quite know where to. Maybe he’s found a lover in one of the many willing girls on campus. It pains me, envy - the jealous bitch that she is, flowing through me, but I have no right.

Things have been going oddly well between Ace and me. I have to admit he’s not as bad company as I’d first believed. We are similar in a way. Resentful to our parents for making us into what we are today. Both confused about what path we must take. Believing we were on our chosen, rightful path only to have that obliterated. We’ve hung out almost every night, usually I go over and stay at the beach house with him or he sneaks into the quarter and stays the night.

But as of last night, something’s changed.

Ace got a phone call at around midnight that clearly rattled him. He took off without saying a word and I haven’t heard from him since. I walk back to the Dahlia House Friday afternoon and see him sitting at the front steps of the house. His head hanging low between his knees, and hands fisted together. He looks up as my footsteps approach and he has a troubled look in his eyes. Standing as I reach him, he roughly drags me toward him, kissing me vigorously like he hasn’t in weeks. His mouth clashes down on mine swallowing me whole as he pushes me open with his tongue, our teeth crashing together as he claims my mouth. He pushes back as I gasp for air, missing him instantly as he frantically runs a hand through his now shaggy hair, as he paces back and forth along the steps.

“Ace, what’s wrong?” I ask, reaching my hand out to him. He pulls away, chuckling slightly.