Page 63 of Her Devil
“Perhaps, instead of working out in your rooms and taking chunks out of each other in the entranceway, you’d be able to make use of this space.”
He pulls a dust sheet off a rack of free weights, but the machines all look new, the ring matt clean and seemingly free of dirt as we make our way around the space. There are sparring pads and gloves, tape, and more than one comprehensive first aid kit.
“There’s a telephone number in there for a doctor, if you need something that the kit doesn’t have, but let’s keep that for emergencies if we can.”
He’s more than perceptive, watching us as we make our way around the room, Jasper checking out the machines whilst Emmerson and Leo fuck about with the free weights.
“I can’t believe this has been here the whole time,” Oliver comments.
“We were waiting to see how long it would take you to find it,” our masked leader replies, amusement laced through his tone. “But after recent events, it seemed better to show you.”
No shit.
“You’ve proved you’re capable of holding your own, and of working as a team when needed. There’ll be more to come, so be prepared,” he adds ominously. His security follows him as he heads back up the stairs, leaving us to our new discovery.
“So, these girls are important, huh?” Oliver comments. It’s clear it’s been running through his mind for a while as he continues. “Well, as much as we are, I guess. Did you guys know about the drugs?”
“Him and Charlotte have been at it since the mixer,” Leo replies. “But it’s not down to me to tell you guys how to live your life, or party, or whatever. Seems like other people have something to say about it though.”
“This is not going to be the partying couple of years I was hoping it would be,” Jasper admits.
“I’m not sure what part of blood oaths and black masks suggested party central.” Wyatt scoffs. “But you can have a good time whilst not spending the whole thing trashed, you know?”
“Yeah,” he replies. “I guess I need to take this a bit more seriously. I don’t want to disappear with no trace,” he whispers.
And with that mood killer, the room goes quiet, until Jacob suggests, “Who wants to hit Nick?”Fucking family.
* * *
I still ache as I drag myself out of the rapidly cooling water, but I’ve got to admit, whatever the hell it was Wyatt slid into my bath helped. Not that I’d say it out loud to him, of course, but I’ll be asking for it next time I unexpectedly go five rounds in the ring.
Drying off, I wrap a towel around my waist and smooth some face shit on my skin. I don’t care for it, but Jacob gets pissy when I, and I quote, ‘don’t look after myself properly’.Apparently, I don’t want people to be able to tell the difference between us because of the wrinkles or frown lines.Whatever.
Wyatt’s got his nose in a book as I come out, he’s got his headphones on and is trying to forget the world, no doubt. Until I throw a stress ball at him.
“What was with you and Ivy the other day?” I ask as he slides the headphones off, glowering at the ball before throwing it back. “Not that I was paying that much attention.”
“Clearly.” He huffs. “I went to say goodbye. It’s called being a decent human being.”
“And the rest? Don’t think I didn’t notice the two of you have some kind of silent conversation.” And I should know, Jacob and I are the kings of that game.
“Feeling left out?” He smirks.
“Not in the slightest.” At the end of the day, it was me that took her all the places she wanted to go. No amount of unspoken words and quiet goodbyes can compare to the feel of her sated and boneless in my arms.
“You know she gets a choice in this, right? You can’t just demand her and expect she’ll come running.”
“Oh, she’ll come all right.” Like a fucking banshee screaming my name into the night air, again. “You fancy your luck with my girl?”
“I think technically she’sourangel.”
“So, I can keep her satisfied and you can keep her happy. Is that the plan?”
“I didn’t realise you could share.” He huffs out a laugh, catching the ball as I throw it back harder than anticipated.
“No?”
“No, I have a feeling that you’re used to getting what you want, and spoilt little rich boys don’t often play well with others.”
