Page 86 of Made in Malice

“Tell them the truth—that you find us irresistible.”

I snort. “No, really.”

Nox actually gives me useful information. “Tell them we befriended you and make them think you don’t trust us, but it makes things easier at school. All the founding families have an…arrangement. We present a united front to others. They’ll buy it.”

“How do you know?” I press.

“Because they’ll want to. They’ll also try to use you to get information on us. The Umbras have been out of the loop for a long time, so they’ll be desperate to get their hooks into the next leader, which happens to be me,” Lucian divulges.

“I still can’t believe you’re going to take over as the president of the school.”

“Among other things.” Lucian nods once.

“When?”

“Not soon enough. It’s late. You can sit here and pretend to watch this movie, or we can all go get in my bed.”

I turn my head toward the TV and do exactly as he told me, because I have no doubt he’ll try to push for the other option if I give him a chance.

LUCIAN

I watch her drive from the house with a strange feeling in my gut. She’s only going across the road, then to school, but a part of me doesn’t want to let her out of my sight. I like how she makes me forget about the things that have consumed me for the past two years or more. I also like that Nox isn’t hiding in his room all the time.

I let the curtain drop and turn away, so I’m not tempted to follow her. I told her I was having her car swept for bugs and trackers, and I did, but I didn’t tell her I would be installing my own. I open the app on my phone just to make sure it’s working, and there’s a little blip on the screen nearing our territory line. I did tell her about the gate access I placed in her car. She seemed surprised and a little suspicious, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from her.

“I’m getting in the shower,” I announce to Nox and toss my phone on the bed.

“Are we really going to school?” he complains, not even bothering to open his eyes.

“You don’t have to. You can keep your lazy ass in bed and leave her to me.”

“Fuck off.” He slits his eyes. “You were ready to kick her off the damn island.”

“Good thing we can rely on each other to knock sense into the one acting like an idiot.” I slam the bathroom door and strip. My cock has been aching since I woke up this morning after only a couple hours of sleep. The room fills with steam before I even step under the water.

I lean my forearm against the glass wall, imagining my lamb on the other side, where I’d make her watch me fist my cock while she kneeled, looking up at me. Her eyes would try to stay on mine, but she would lose the battle and watch me stroke myself. Her lids would be heavy with the lust she would deny feeling. I work my palm up and down, twisting my wrist so the head of my dick brushes the cold, hard glass, and a groan hums up my throat.

My balls constrict, and I tighten my grip, moving up and down as my breathing becomes harsh, and I pinch the tip, feeling sticky pre-cum on my palm. If she were here, I would make her lick off every drop. My hips jerk at the thought, and I know I’m going to come way too fast, but I don’t try to stop the rising tide.

I lean my head back, pulling in cooler air as I jerkily fist myself while thinking about her.

NOVA

I should have known something was going to happen. My morning had been far too easy. I didn’t see Rory or Astrid, and Bridgit ignored me as if she didn’t even see me, which I’ve realized is the better option if you ask me. When she does talk to me, it’s always strained, as if she thinks I don’t belong here, or maybe I’m projecting.

I know my day is about to take a turn for the worse when I hear the bathroom door open and several sets of feet enter while I’m closeted in the stall. I hurriedly wipe and pull my pants up and wait, even though my mind is telling me to get out of the bathroom.

“Come out,” a male voice says, and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. I don’t know that voice, and it shouldn’t be in here.

I pretend they are not talking to me and reach into my bag to search for my phone. It’s on my mind to call Nox, since he made me promise I would, but while I’m still deciding what to do, the option gets taken away from me when the door is kicked open, and I narrowly avoid getting hit with the swinging metal.

There are five people standing between me and the exit, all wearing black robes with hoods to cover their faces. My throat tightens while my mouth goes dry. I don’t even get a chance to say a word before one of the hooded figures rips me out of the stall and pulls me toward the group.

LUCIAN

“What the fuck?” Nox asks as we both see an ambulance parked at the steps of the building.

Dread settles in my stomach, but I’m telling myself to ignore it, even as I speed to the entrance and throw the car in park before it’s fully stopped. The loud clunk that happens draws a bunch of attention from the onlookers, but I don’t waste time with that.