Page 24 of Tormented Kings
“Sadie,” Grayson growls. “Did you forget about the fact that your safety is at risk?”
“Do you really think he’s going to kill me if I don’t leave?” A flash of panic fills me.
“I don’t know. That's the thing. That man is unpredictable. He’s capable of a lot of fucked up shit.”
“Collin said I’d be safe on school property. If I leave, I’ll take one of the girls with me.”
“Or one of us,” Declan joins in as we push open the door leading outside. “Just call or text, outside of schoolwork, I don’t have any other obligations.”
“That's not true. What about the club?” And he knows I don’t mean the Host Club.
“I don’t have any real reason to go there,” he replies, shooting me a shy look. “Yes, I’m part owner, but I don’t really have a hands-on part in it. That's more of what the others do. I just went because...” He looks away and clears his throat.
“Because it was a place he went to fuck,” Grayson finishes bluntly, earning himself a glare from the both of us. “What?” he chuckles. “It’s true. Now, the only reason he would have to go there would be to gowithyou.”
“He’s right,” Declan says. “The club isn’t an issue. I won’t be going back.” He licks his lips, desire in his eyes. “Unless you wanted to go.”
“I think I’d like to go back.” I bite my lower lip. “I like that place. There, I’m able to be free without feeling judged. To explore myself, my wants, needs, and another side of myself I didn’t know I had until I met you guys,” I admit.
“We would never judge you, Pretty Girl,” Grayson reassures. “But we would love to go back and keep helping you explore and find the things you enjoy.”
“Thanks.” I smile up at him.
They walk me all the way to the cottage. I unlock the door and turn to say goodbye, that I’ll text them later, and thanks for everything. Or at least I was going to say something along those lines when Grayson pushes his way in.
“What are you doing?” I laugh as he walks into the kitchen and looks around.
“Thought we could hang out here for a bit.” Grayson spins around on his heel to shoot me a look.
“I have plans tonight, actually.”
“Oh, really now?” He grins. “More studying?” He raises a brow in amusement. “We’re so much more fun than studying. Aren't we, Dec?”
“I mean, I’d like to think so,” Declan agrees, closing the door behind him. He leans back against it, hands behind his back as he watches me with a hungry look.
The look in his eyes right now doesn’t feel like the sweet, innocent boy I’ve come to know.
“My friends and I are going out,” I say, suddenly feeling hot.
“Where ya going?” Grayson asks, shoving his hands into the pockets of his slacks as he slowly prowls towards me. He’s blocking the way to the rest of the house with Declan at the door. I feel boxed in. It has my heart racing and breathing picking up. And dammit, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t aroused with the tension in the air right now.
“To pick out Halloween costumes,” I whisper.
“Huh.” Grayson smirks. “To wear to my party?”
“Your party?” My brows furrow.
“Yup. Your friends always come, every year.” Grayson stops before me, and I’ve made the mistake of not moving, of not looking behind me, because Declan has moved closer, his body right behind mine. I bump into him, gasping when he grabs me by the hips, holding me still.
My pulse pumps wildly as they trap me between them, both looming over me like predators ready to devour their prey. I’m the prey, I want to be the prey so badly.
“Butyounever have,” Grayson murmurs, reaching up to tug at my hair. “You don’t like to party.”
“I do now,” I whisper.
“You do.” He nods slowly.
“With my friends.”