Page 69 of Tormented Kings

“No. Because you deserve better than a fuck in a rundown chapel, Sadie.”

Oh.

“I shouldn’t have touched you. You're not mine to have that way.” He licks his lips, looking away.

I want to tell him that I could be if he just allowed himself.

He looks back down at me. “You deserve better than what I’ve given you.”

“Why do you feel the need to tell me what I deserve? Shouldn’t I be the one to make those decisions?” I ask.

His brows furrow. “Yeah, but–”

He doesn’t get a chance to finish his sentence. Grayson wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me away from Preston. Our hands fall apart, and I miss his touch immediately.

“Come on, Pretty Girl. Doors are open; let’s go!” he shouts excitedly, pulling me towards the entrance.

I look at Preston over my shoulder. He stands back, watching me leave, and a feeling of longing fills me.

Preston is changing, so maybe there’s hope?

I can’t think about that right now. Tonight is a night to get away from everything and forget about my problems. Everything else can wait.

“You really weren’t joking, were you?” Declan asks, laughing as we walk towards Harry Potter World.

“Nope.” I grin proudly. We went on a few rides first to bypass the rush of people getting to the houses before we went to a few ourselves. The lines are a lot shorter with the express passes.

As I expected, I didn’t scream, but the girls did. I was laughing so hard I nearly pissed myself when Emma screamed so loud one of the actors even flinched.

“You guys aren’t helping,” Alice mutters. “You're just like them, Sadie. Laughing at our pain.”

“I’m sorry, babe.” I grab her face and kiss her cheek.

As soon as we step into Diagon Alley, my face lights up. “I love it here,” I say giddily.

“This place is pretty awesome,” Grayson agrees, his hand in mine.

There’s a chance people from our school are here, but I don’t think any of us care. It’s dark, no one can see. I hate that's where my mind goes. I hate having to keep our relationship to ourselves. But if it’s what we have to do to be together, it’s worth it. They’re worth it.

I smile up at Grayson. He winks before giving me a kiss.

Laughing, I smile over at Declan, who grins right back and gives me a kiss, too.

“You guys are too cute. Stop, you’re going to make me sick.” Mia fake gags.

“You're just jealous your fiance likes me better,” I tease.

Declan groans, making Mia and I laugh. My eyes fall on Preston, watching us with an unreadable expression before he looks away.

“Oh my god!” Mia shrieks with excitement. “It’s starting.”

“What's starting?” Grayson frowns.

“The one thing that gets us all hot and bothered.” Alice fans herself.

We all look over to see the men in black cloaks and masks. “Death Eaters,” we say in unison.

I bite my lip as they make their way into the main part of the alley, wands up as they do their show.