Raven nods in understanding. “You tried to kill him.”

“No,” June says with a frown. “I followed him to see if he was with another woman.”

“Or that.”

“Anyway, Declan wasn’t with another woman, but the place he went to was… weird.”

Her hesitation has me reaching over to grip her hand. I give it a tiny squeeze to show my support. “It’s okay. You don’t have to share anything you don’t want to.”

Raven blows out a raspberry. “The fuck she doesn’t. Now I really need to know what’s going on.”

“It’s fine,” June says to me. “I’ve been holding this in for months. It was a medical research facility. It’s known for its cutting-edge experiments and research. At least, that’s what the internet said.”

I retract my arm and fold my hands in my lap. “I’m still waiting for the weird part.”

“Yeah, get to the good shit.” Raven rubs her hands together. “Weird how?”

“There was a room, dimly lit, with some shady-ass looking people,” June says. “I grew up poor, so I know fucked-up when I see it. Just because the men were wearing expensive suits doesn’t mean they were legitimate. I only saw one person with a lab coat. In a research setting, that’s not normal, but that’s not what scared me.”

“Zombies,” Raven says. “I knew it.”

“No. I saw several organs being put into containers, like for a transplant.”

My eyes widen. “But there weren’t any recipients there?”

“Not that I could see.”

“Dude, organ trafficking is wild.” Raven starts pacing, clasping and unclasping her hands. “Isn’t the Kent family behind the funding of a shit ton of hospitals and research facilities? I swear, every time I turn around, I find their name on a band-aid or a clinic pamphlet.”

June nods. “At first, I thought Declan dumped me because of another woman. Now, I’m thinking it was because I’m not good enough for his family. You’d think being a mathematical genius would score me some points, but I guess with him being from a founding family, they don’t want to pollute the bloodlines.”

“What does that have to do with Xavier?” I ask.

“They’re best friends,” June says. “I just assumed Declan told him. I only followed my ex the one time. After that, I left him alone.”

She holds out her hands in supplication. “Let me be clear. I don’t want to spread rumors, and this entire thing is complete speculation on my part. If Declan is actually involved in that shit, I don’t want to know.”

“Well, I do,” Raven says. When I glare at her, she shrugs. “Fine. Your turn, Delilah.”

I take a deep breath to compose myself. It doesn’t work, but I continue anyway. If I don’t, I’m positive Raven will bury me under the floorboards.

“I’m not sure how to say this without freaking you guys out,” I say.

Raven squeals. “I love this kind of stuff.” She sits on the bed next to me with a huge grin. “Talk dirty to me, roomie.”

“Don’t interrupt me, or I won’t get it out,” I say. When she mimes zipping her lips, I take the plunge. “I stabbed a guy three years ago.”

Raven makes a strangled sound that’s half-shock, half-glee. To her credit, she doesn’t say a word.

“Long story short, I thought my foster parent was going to kill my foster brother, Ben. They were fighting in the kitchen, and I did the first thing I could think of to stop Frank from hitting him. I stabbed him. It worked.”

I release a nervous laugh. “Then I waited at the top of the stairs all night in case he wanted to get revenge on me. Well, someone else walked up the stairs, and I stabbed him too.”

“Holy…” June says.

“Fuckballs,” Raven finishes.

“I know, right? Anyway, the intruder left, and I was moved to another foster home. That’s pretty much it. But seeing Xavier in that black hoodie reminded me of that night. I think I was having a PTSD kind of moment.”

The events from that night altered my life in a significant way. More than I can ever reveal to my friends. They exchange glances filled with shock and concern before they look at me again.

Raven pats my shoulder. “You are one badass motherfucker, and I’m proud to be your friend.”

“I’m a little scared of you, but same,” June says with a wink.

“Do you know why he called you ‘little raptor?’” Raven scrunches up her face. “That was a random ass thing to say.”

I shake my head. “No idea.”

But I’m going to find out.

OceanofPDF.com

Chapter 19DELILAH

The soles of my shoes make no sound against the asphalt as I chase after Xavier Donovan. However, my breathing is loud as hell. I sound like a pug being strangled.

Cardio has never been my thing.

Apparently, stalking is.

Xavier has been on my mind all of last night and every minute of today. I haven’t been able to concentrate on anything except the questions that have haunted me for years. My need for answers from that night, and to know what’s going on with Ben, had taken over, possessed me until I no longer recognize myself.

I’m following a man who has confessed to murder.

For me.

Maybe that’s why I’m not as frightened as I should be. I mean, my legs are shaking, but I’m not scared enough to walk away. That’d be the smart thing to do.

I’m a fucking idiot.

Xavier weaves between the vehicles with a lethal grace, his steps confident and sure. I trail behind, struggling to keep up although I’m jogging. He leads me further into the maze of the parking lot. Row after row of expensive cars are lined up like soldiers awaiting a general. Only the occasional pair of headlights cuts through the darkness surrounding me.

“Wait!” I call out, the sound of my voice startling me.

He pauses halfway down an aisle and slowly turns to face me. The moon hangs low in the sky, but it chooses that exact moment to break through the clouds, creating shadows all around him. Except for a sliver of light that rests against his mouth. Like three years ago, Xavier smirks at me, lips twisted with amusement.

I come to an abrupt halt as memories of him flood my mind.

“Because no one touches what’s mine.”

“What the hell do you want?” he asks.

His question yanks me from my thoughts. I remain in the middle of the road, unable and unwilling to get any closer. I’m not sure any amount of distance between us would make me feel safe.

Every question I’ve ever thought of rushes from my brain to land on my tongue. It feels heavy in my mouth, but I force myself to say something, anything that’ll get this conversation going.

“Why me?”

He tilts his head. “Why not?”

I blink. “That’s not an answer.”

“It is, but not the one you want to hear.”

He’s right. What did I expect? I shake my head at my ignorance. And my ability to forget everything else when he’s near. Even Ben.

Xavier leans against the nearest car and withdraws a cigarette. He lights it up and takes a slow drag, his silver gaze boring into me. Smoke spirals lazily from his nostrils like a dragon. My skin nearly bursts into flame from the heat of his gaze.

“Where’s Ben?” I ask.

Xavier takes another long pull on his cigarette, his lips wrapping around the object in a way I find distracting. No man should have such a sensuous mouth. Or be this attractive.

It’s just fucking rude.

“He’s safe.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“But that’s all you need to know.” He puts out his cigarette by jabbing it against the hood of a Porsche before tossing it to the ground. “The next time you think to come looking for me, don’t.”

“Can you give Ben a message for me?”

Xavier continues to look at me with his arms folded across his chest. That’s not exactly a yes, but it’s not a refusal either.

“Tell him that I’m⁠—”

The screech of tires and the smell of burning rubber assaults my senses. I spin toward the sound, my hair flying off my shoulders. The glare of headlights stabs at my eyes, forcing me to squint and raise a hand to block the light. The purr of the engine becomes a roar, getting closer with every breath.