Page 23 of Eat. Prey. Love.
All my guys grin in that hungry pred fashion and I shiver.
Carina Rockland is a dead woman walking and she doesn’t know it yet.
Protector
I wassurprised when the irascible badger said he’d be staying in the country for a bit while his goons worked on their shady tasks. Farley was obviously unhappy about being here, but despite his country rube persona, I smell the tinge of a predator who has the scent of his kill. He doesn’t like Rockland defying his typical tactics; that’s going to work in the Princess’ favor. It means he’ll sink his teeth in and not let go until she’s dead enough to stink up the room.
I can respect that doggedness.
Myentire ambush would love to lock her up and toy with her until she’s begging to die, but we can’t do that—yet. So I’ll let the lawyer do his thing while I focus on figuring out what the motherfuckingshitmy asshole cousin is doing here. Obviously, the Raj sent him, and likely it’s to torture me, but he’d be able to do that without taking on a class with our girl in it. No, this specific play was crafted for a reason beyond sending Fitz and I to the looney bin. It was plotted with multiple pawns placed to cause issues for my entire family.
“Felix?”
I blink, whipping my head around to see Dolly frowning at her hands. “What’s wrong, Princess?”
“I want to go see Coco. I know Rufus said she needs time, but… I don’t want her to be alone.” She rises to her feet, looking up at me with big doe eyes. “Will you walk me over to the Theater Dorm so I can check on her?”
Hell no. We want you here where you’re safe.
But I can’t tell our soft-hearted girl that I won’t help her. It’s ridiculous and I’d kill anyone else who suggested it, but when she asks nicely, I’d do damn near anything without an argument. Walking over, I take her hands, tilting my head. “If it’s important you go see her now, I will. But we have to come back before it’s too dark. We don’t know this place well enough yet to be taking chances.”
She sniffs, but nods. “Okay. Thank you. I just… I can’t get my head straight for anything else until I see that she’s not doing anything stupid. Even if I didn’t think Giselle was the one… Cori cared about her and she’s my friend.”
“Come on, then. Let’s ease your worries so we can all snuggle up and watch a movie tonight.” Her smile gets a little brighter as I tug her into the crook of my arm and lead her toward the door. “We can let you and Fitz pick. It’s endlessly entertaining to watch the dragon throw a hissy fit about your selections.”
She smacks my arm lightly, her voice soft as she chides me. “Felix Khan, don’t be mean to Aubrey. He’s doing really well with not being such a grouch. You wouldn’t have learned that basket weave stitch if he hadn’t been so patient with you.”
“Would, too.” I wrinkle my nose and make a face at her. “Khans never give up, and we never lose.”
Giggling, she curls into my side. “Noted. But I’m told Drews don’t either, so be prepared for lots of battles, Sir.”
And just like that, I almost turn us around to go back inside for a different inspection.
The dorms are justas fancy as the academic buildings, so I’m mildly impressed as we make our way to the third floor where the juniors are housed. Everything looks clean and well-maintained, but even a cursory glance tells me security isn’t fantastic. It’s not surprising—the pred schools expect students to be able to defend themselves for better or worse. However, our girl has more than just shitty bullies or pranksters after her.
It makes me even more pleased she mated with my twin—we can use that as an excuse for adjusting her housing if need be.
“Princess, this dorm is nicer than Cappie or Apex… but I’m glad you’re staying with us.”
Dolly turns to look up at me with a tiny smirk. “Leave Chessie’s cooking? Never.”
“Ouch, Princess. Right in the heart with that one,” I chuckle as I clutch my chest. “Good to know where your loyalties lie.”
She giggles and squeezes me close, reminding me that less than two years ago, she looked like a lost kitten and I was torturing her for making me feel something. We’ve both come a long way fromthat point and as much as I hate to admit it, it’s in large part to my crazy ass twin refusing to let any of us write her off.
That’s why no one is surprised she chose him first—nor are they upset in the slightest. He was her first and only ally at Apex.
“You know, Cori is going to be sad. You can support her, but this will hurt for a while.” I look down at her as we approach the door decked out with swag and sparkle that denotes the room she’s sharing with my girl’s fabulous badger buddy.
Dolly sighs and nods as she looks at the door for a moment. “I know, Felix. Todd was a first class fucknozzle and I was still hurt and upset by the betrayal. Giselle made her believe they had a chance and then yanked that away at the last minute—not even in person. Cori already feels isolated by her identity. This is very damaging for her self-esteem.”
Tipping her chin up, I look into her eyes with a soft smile. “I know you can relate to that. It will help your friend, but remember, any feelings that come flooding back are the past. You are adored and accepted for who you are… even if your horrible taste in men extends to my twin.”
“Felix!” She smacks my arm and I see the light in her eyes brighten a bit. “I know it’ll dredge some stuff up, but I do want to be there for her. No one was for me when everything went down at prom and the only thing that kept me going over that summer was my job at Luc’s, revenge, and Fitz’s not-so-secret gifts.”
I roll my eyes, but her admission makes me smile. My idiot brother’s stalking actually made her feel wanted and I could kiss him for it now.Not that I’llevertell him that.“Go on. Knock on the door and let her know you’re here.”
Our girl leans up and presses a kiss on my lips, then pulls away. I watch her curvy ass sway as she approaches the door, looking as delectable in her yoga pants and Aubrey’s tee shirt tied at her waist as she does in couture. The silence hangs for a moment until the door cracks open and there’s a heated whisper exchangethrough the crack. Dolly holds her ground, putting her hands on her hips as she speaks to the bear hiding in her room.