He slams his fist on Eric’s desk, making him flinch. I school my features to hide my amusement. Ames goes back to walking.

“That bitch will tell your secret because there’s always someone willing to pay for classified information. And that divulgence will get you strung up by your balls,” he says. “The Order doesn’t care if you marry her or if you just like to fuck her. Secrets are meant to be kept secret.”

He pauses, his gaze taking on a distant look. “Love is a poison of the heart. Remember that, and maybe you’ll survive.”

Delilah: Hey, where have you been? I haven’t heard from you much these past weeks

Ben: Yeah, the exams are brutal. Everything okay with you and the littles?

Delilah: Emily and Sandra have grown so much. I think they’ll reach my height soon. When you come visit, you’ll see for yourself.

Ben: I might not be able to come home for Christmas.

Delilah: What?!

Ben: Things at school are a lot. I just can’t right now.

Delilah: Spring break then? That’s a long time. 😔

Ben: I know. Tell me how you’re doing.

Delilah: Fine.

Ben: Don’t be like that. Come on, Lilah.

Delilah: I think something’s wrong with me.

Ben: I’ve always known that. 😉

Delilah: No, I’m serious.

Ben: What do you mean?

Delilah: Well, I kissed this guy at school and things were going great, but now they’re not.

Ben: I don’t know if I want to hear this.

Delilah: I know all about the girls you slept with in high school, so don’t be a hypocrite. Anyway, I thought this guy was going to ask me out, and now he won’t even look at me. No, that’s not true. He does, but it’s like I’m the ugliest, most scary thing he’s ever seen.

Ben: You’re crazy.

Delilah: True, but that’s why you love me. What am I supposed to do?

Ben: Did you have sex with him?

Delilah: No, but I thought about it. Good thing I didn’t.

Ben: Guys are assholes. Save your virginity for someone who deserves it.

Delilah: It’s not a big deal.

Ben: Value yourself enough to think it is. Don’t let your biological mother giving you up be the lens in which you view your self-worth.

Delilah: Okay, Dr. Phil. Calm down.

Ben: I’m serious. You deserve someone who will respect you. Not just use your body.

Delilah: At this point, I’ll die a virgin.

Ben: Don’t be dramatic.

Delilah: Maybe I’ll be a theater major when I go to your fancy college.

Ben: If that makes you happy.

Delilah: I’m just kidding. You know I want to be a psych major. Anyway, are you sure there’s nothing wrong with me?

Ben: You’re perfect.

Delilah: You’re ridiculous. But thank you. Xoxo

Ben: Oxox

Delilah: Cowcow

Ben: Lol. Never change.

Delilah: I won’t.

OceanofPDF.com

Chapter 7XAVIER

Junior Year

“The rules for this exercise are simple,” the combat instructor says, his eyes gleaming with the promise of upcoming violence. “Fight until one of you taps out or loses consciousness. Injuries are expected, but don’t cause your opponent permanent damage. Other than that, there are no restrictions. Donovan and Gage, you’re up first.”

I walk over to the mats in the center of the training facility and fold my arms, maintaining my bored expression. Eric, on the other hand, cranes his neck from side to side and stretches his arms above his head. I understand that we’re primal at our core, ready to inflict pain at a moment’s notice, but his show of prowess is unnecessary.

I’m going to beat the fuck out of him.

Eric sizes me up with a grin, his teeth bared, covering his face in a sadistic veil. It’s not a secret that he looks for every opportunity to fight me since I threw that knife at him. As recruits of the Obsidian Order, we are under strict rules not to harm one another unless given permission. If it weren’t for that, he would’ve already tried to kill me.

Tried being the operative word.

“Begin!”

Eric launches himself at me before the final syllable leaves the instructor’s mouth. I use a hip toss to throw him onto the mats. He hits the floor with a thud. The other recruits begin to mutter amongst themselves, and the sound of their whispers has Eric’s eyes glittering with malice.

He’s quick to recover, getting to his feet in the blink of an eye. I reluctantly admire his speed. That, along with his other skills, have only improved since our training began two years ago.

But so have mine.

His embarrassment at having been tossed on his ass has the sides of his neck reddening. I wait for him to charge again. It doesn’t take long.

I catch him with a brutal hit to the forehead, my elbow splitting the skin above his eyebrow. Blood drips down his face. From my peripheral, I catch the instructor nodding in approval. Too bad I don’t need it.

Eric may not be the most intelligent guy in the room, but he doesn’t lack tenacity. Again, he comes after me. We trade blows back and forth, our grunts and curses drowning out the jeering of our peers.

I sweep my leg out and knock him off his feet. Taking advantage of his position, I lunge at him, throwing all of my weight onto his frame. We are both over six feet tall, our bodies toned with muscle from our unrelenting training. Subduing him won’t be easy.

Eric thrashes wildly, his adrenaline and fury getting the best of him. Without his ability to think rationally, he puts himself right into my hands. I head-butt him, directly on the cut already bleeding.

Blood gushes from his wound as he groans with pain. The wet, sticky texture of his blood coats my skin, but I ignore it in favor of ending this altercation. Pressing my forearm against his throat and keeping it there takes every ounce of energy I possess.

Eric’s fist connects with my jaw. My head snaps back, but I maintain the pressure on his neck, straining to remain in control of the fight. His wild movements lessen in intensity until he’s no longer moving.

“Release him, Donovan!” the instructor barks.

I retract my arm and get to my feet. The blow to my face has me blinking to correct my blurry vision. Damn, that fucker hit me hard. Only now am I feeling the effects of the strike.

After using the bottom of my black t-shirt to wipe away the blood on my face, I head over to the group of recruits. Declan is there with his brow arched in question. I nod, letting him know I’m good.