Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82415 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82415 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“This is just the first part I’m planning to tease tonight.”
“I tell you I like you, and now you’re gonna tease me?”
“Don’t worry,” I say, “you’ll enjoy all the ways I tease you.”
And as I crawl down to his crotch, I keep an eye on his expression, his eyes eager because he knows I’m not gonna let him down.
*
Over the weekend and throughout the beginning of the week, Alexei and I catch up on schoolwork, which is hard as hell under the circumstances. Despite Alexei’s attempts to reach out to the Saints, none have returned his texts or spoken to him since the party last Friday. Like they’re shunning him for his betrayal. I saw Gage and Spencer in classes, but they won’t so much as look at me.
On Wednesday, Alexei and I sit at tables on the third floor of the library, with our laptops out. I’m supposed to be writing a paper for Structural Engineering; Alexei’s studying for his Chem exam. He seems to be making progress, which is more than I can say for myself.
When I’m not spacing out, thinking about the ominous, looming threat Cody mentioned, I’m reading articles about the psycho serial killer who possessed me. I figured Alexei wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between that and research, but at one point he says, “Looking up Jonathan Farras?”
“I—uh…yeah.”
His lip twists up in that adorable way it does sometimes. “I can’t imagine being possessed is something you can just walk off.”
Not even a little.
And since that night, I’m on edge when I wake up, and even find myself repeatedly checking the foot of the bed. Sometimes I wake up and think I see him standing there.
“I keep wondering what he wanted to do with my body, but then when I read this shit, I don’t have to wonder. He liked to rape and strangle men and women. Makes me think if Brad hadn’t been there, God knows what he might have done. Who he would have hurt. It’s just difficult to think about. And then…” I stop myself. No, I can’t let myself go down that path.
“What is it?” Alexei asks.
“Part of me fears that he was able to get into me because there’s something already here. Something like my father.” The thought crossed my mind more than a few times. I just can’t get over that niggling doubt.
Alexei looks horrified by the suggestion. “Matteo, that’s not—”
“Forget I said it, please. It did screwy things to my head. Can we leave it at that? Please.”
I can tell by the way his mouth is hanging open that he wants to reassure me, but I’ve already learned from how this thing rattles around in my brain that there’s no rationalizing it away.
I’m pleased when he doesn’t push. He reaches across the table and rests his hand on mine, stroking his thumb across my flesh, and damn, his touch sets me at ease. Like a fucking sedative being pumped into my veins.
These past few days I’ve learned how much I enjoy his touch. Even though we’ve dedicated a lot of time to studying, that hasn’t kept us from spending some time together in his bed…or sneaking off to the fourth-floor bathroom when we need a fucking break—and I do mean a fucking break.
With my free hand, I check my phone. “It’s almost seven. You want to head out and grab something to eat?”
“The break might do me some good.”
We pack up our laptops and leave the library, make our way to the main cafeteria in the student center. After we pick out sandwiches and grab a booth, I head to the restroom, when I notice someone out of the corner of my eye. As I turn, they pull back behind the window outside, but not so fast that I don’t have a chance to see their face.
Finnegan.
I hurry to the entrance, push out the doors, and find him checking his phone by the building, acting as though he wasn’t spying on us.
Whatever he was doing, now’s a good chance to try and get through to him. Finnegan’s a reasonable guy, and I’ve had a few chats with him over the past few years.
I sidle beside him, greeting him with a friendly smile, and he turns to me. His scars, two distinct lines running vertically across his temple, catch my attention. At one time we’d been told it was from a bear attack, but now I know the truth—that what caused this wasn’t from our world.
And he’s not his pleasant self. He seems worn down, like how I must’ve looked when I was stressed the hell out about Alexei.
“Sorry, Matteo, I can’t talk to you,” he says, turning away and hurrying down the sidewalk.
“Hey, man. Please. Give me one minute.”
“Nope.”
“Hey, Finnegan,” I say, rushing up beside him. “I don’t know what Preston’s said, but Alexei has some things I think all the Saints would benefit from knowing, and…” I trail off when I notice his arms are fucking shaking. His face and neck flush red as he stops and turns to me, black eyes boring into me.