Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 167671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 838(@200wpm)___ 671(@250wpm)___ 559(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 167671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 838(@200wpm)___ 671(@250wpm)___ 559(@300wpm)
Her brows furrow. “Um … sure.”
I know we’re not the best of friends, but I appreciate her helping me out. “Thanks.”
But when I enter, Talon’s stern gaze catches me off guard.
“Um, hi,” I mutter to him.
He just stares at me like I interrupted their private time, then turns his head back to the other girls who are all chatting in the kitchen.
Océane closes the door after I’m in and places a hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?” she asks. “Why are you wearing this?”
“I … I’d rather not talk about it.”
I can’t lie, I wouldn’t even know how to explain this anyway. It’s not like I hiked up the mountain and tore my clothes, then found a random bathrobe lying around. But I don’t want to tell the truth either and risk exposing myself as a fraud, a thief, just like Silas marked me as.
I clear my throat and add, “Sorry.”
She nods. “I understand. C’mon. Let’s go upstairs.”
She takes me up to what I assume is her room and opens the drawers. “Just grab whatever fits you best.”
“Are you sure it’s okay?” I ask.
“Mm-hmm.” She nods a few times. “It’s fine. I have enough anyway.”
I pick a soft white blouse and a pair of dark skinny jeans, along with a fresh pair of panties.
“Do you think I could also take a shower?”
“Yeah, of course. It’s over here.” She opens the door across from her room and shows me the stalls. “Some rooms have a private bathroom, but mine doesn’t, unfortunately.”
“It’s okay. This is perfect, thank you,” I say.
“If you need anything, just let me know.”
I nod, and she closes the door, leaving me to it.
I walk into a stall and turn on the warm shower so I can put my hand underneath. The heat of the water makes me feel alive—like I could scald off the tainted mark on my soul.
I swallow and drop the bathrobe, but the mirror on the wall behind me instantly reminds me of the viciousness of these boys I’ve involved myself with. My clothes are torn to shreds, and all that’s left are reddened spank marks on my ass … and the hickeys on my pubic bone.
I swallow away the lump in my throat.
Max left those, and it makes me wonder if it was a desperate attempt to leave an equally lasting mark on me … after Silas already claimed me as his.
A blush spreads on my cheeks, but I swiftly push the thought away and step under the shower, washing away all of their sins and mine.
Max played me.
I thought he liked me, genuinely liked me.
But it was all a game from the start.
I brush off the pain and focus on rinsing off the grime. Even if I can still feel their tongues, their complete and utter claim on my body, I tell myself it doesn’t matter. That I can give my body away to boys like them without ever taking the fall.
But I’m slowly realizing none of this will be without a grave cost.
I turn off the shower, dry off, and put on the clothes I grabbed from Océane’s closet. My flat ass doesn’t nearly fill up the jeans, but the waist fits well enough that it won’t slip, so I’m grateful. The blouse is perfect for my size, and when I look in the mirror, I almost feel like myself again. Almost.
I throw the dirty robe in the towel bin and head out, but the moment I take one foot outside, I come to a full stop. Talon’s right in front of me, his hand firmly propped against the wall, like he doesn’t intend to let me pass.
“What’s up?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood.
“I don’t appreciate that you came here,” he says.
“O-kay…” I cross my arms. “This isn’t your sorority, though, so it’s not your problem.”
“No, but it is my girlfriend’s sorority, and it’s my job to protect her.”
I frown. “From me?”
“From the shit you bring to her doorstep.” His dark-brown eyes intensify. “Those fuckers from the Skull and Serpent Society have attached themselves to you for some reason, and I’m not about to stand by and watch you involve her in whatever is going on with the four of you.”
My face turns white hot. “I can assure you, I’m not interested in any involvement—”
“They have your number, and they’ve been talking about you nonstop in class. I know the truth, skinny.”
Damn.
He taps my chest. “Don’t bring my girlfriend into their shit. You got it?”
I swat his hand away. “I’m not doing anything. She offered me help, and I accepted. That’s it.”
“What’s going on?” Océane suddenly approaches, and Talon swiftly lowers his arm and backs off.
“Nothing,” he says, clearing his throat. “Just checking to see if she’s okay.”
I scowl. “Right.”
“I’m gonna go to class.” He kisses her on the cheek. “See you later, ’kay?”