by E. M. Snow
His gaze flashes with amusement. “Exactly. So why not—”
“Because she’s already mine.”
Easton and I both swivel around in shock, and I swallow hard as I focus in on Phoenix stalking toward us. Cold fury creasing every line of his face, he stares down Easton, his muscles tight and his stance wide, like he’s ready to start swinging at any moment. He’s had nothing to say to me in days, and this is when he decides to open his mouth?
“Phoenix, what are you doing?” I demand when I recover my wits and fully realize what he’s just said to Easton. That I’m his. While it’s not the first time he’s made that claim, he’s never said it in front of someone who doesn’t live with him. With us.
“Are you out of your mind?” I hiss.
He doesn’t spare me even a glance as he spits out, “You are mine, Luna. Not my dream girl, because I don’t need those pathetic pick-up lines to convince you to shove your panties aside. You are simply mine. For all intents and purposes, the fact is I own you right now. When that stops being the case, this pathetic fuck can do whatever he wants to you. In the meantime—” He gets into Easton’s face, his lips flat with rage. “You don’t touch what already belongs to me.”
Easton grits his teeth, and the two glare at each other for a long beat, trapped in some invisible struggle for dominance.
“You forget, Townsend, I already have.” Then, Easton pivots and stalks off without another word, leaving my brain a mess.
What the hell does he even mean by that? Unfortunately, I don’t have too much time to sift through the confusion because Phoenix makes a low sound in the back of his throat.
“I’ll kill that motherfucker someday,” he vows under his breath.
I whirl on him. “What is wrong with you? You ignore me for a couple days and then you’re suddenly interested again, thinking you can dictate who I talk to?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I think. You don’t get to talk to him. You won’t like the consequences if you do.”
I’m surprised steam doesn’t blow out of my ears, that’s how pissed I am. I also don’t give a shit what consequences he has lying in wait for me. Eventually, I’m sure I’ll experience every single one of them, no matter how compliant I am.
“And what’ll happen if I don’t care what you think? After all, you don’t give a fuck what happens to me. It’s entertaining, remember?”
He sneers at the fact I’m using his own words from the other night against him, but he doesn’t answer my question. Instead, he zeroes in on Easton’s back. “If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay away from you without me having to say it again. He has enough. He’s not getting you, too.”
When I ask him what that means, he just smirks, tells me that he’ll see me at home later, and leaves me standing in the hall like a fool.
At school the next afternoon, my stomach is a riot of nerves as I head for Spanish, Phoenix right next to me. He’s not taunting me, just walking with a determined stride. I wonder if he’s concerned about Easton and what he might do when we make our way into the classroom, but if he is, he hasn’t said a word.
Once we reached the door and cross the threshold, my eyes immediately fly to Easton’s usual seat. To my disappointment, he’s not there. Maybe he’s just running late. I doubt he’d drop the class completely just to avoid us.
“What the fuck is this?” Phoenix says on a low growl, startling me. I tear my eyes from Easton’s empty desk, and they skitter across the room before landing on my own seat and the one behind me that Phoenix occupies. Correction: occupied. Because today, Easton’s already there.
I gawk at him, utterly stunned. He’s either the bravest guy I’ve ever met in my life, or he’s a complete idiot. I dare a glance toward Phoenix, wanting to gauge his reaction and what a reaction it is. His entire body is tensed, and his hands are curled into fists. No doubt, he’d like to drill one of those hammers into Easton’s skull.
Glancing back at Easton, it’s clear he isn’t intimidated by Phoenix at all. There’s no sign of fear or regret in his expression whatsoever. He looks downright smug as he gazes at us with his arms crossed, leaning back against the wall as he sits sideways in the chair. There’s a tension so thick between him and Phoenix, I swear you could cut through it with a knife. For a moment, I worry that they’re going to get into a fight right here and now.
Phoenix seems ravenous for one, and just based on their past interactions, I’m pretty sure Easton would welcome the opportunity.
Luckily, Mrs. De León walks through the door. Without hesitating, I hurry forward, away from Phoenix’s side and settle into my usual chair. I don’t dare look at him as I sit there and wait for the lesson to begin, but I know he lingers next to me for a long moment before he eventually trudges off to an empty desk far away from us—close enough to Harmony that she perks up and pokes out her chest.
“…knew you couldn’t stay away for long,” she’s telling him in a whispery voice that makes me roll my eyes.
Phoenix leans across the aisle to whisper something to her, his stare zeroed in on me. Does he think this bothers me? Does he think I give a shit about their conversation? If anything, this is probably a good thing. Harmony will coax him to the wrestling room after class to do whatever he likes, he’ll redirect his attention to her, and I’ll be able to get through the next six weeks in peace—no Phoenix harassing me with his hot and cold act and no Kallista.
Phoenix and Harmony are a good thing.
So, why the hell does my stomach burn when I tell myself that?
And why did it bother me so much when he ignored me earlier this week?
As if he knows exactly what I’m thinking, he sits upright. His lips are still moving for Harmony’s benefit, but his green eyes rake over my furrowed brow and narrowed eyes and pinched lips. To my horror, he grins. It’s twisted and wicked and taunting, but it has nothing to do with whatever he’s discussing with Harmony.
It’s meant solely for me.
While I doubt that she notices—she’s too busy blushing and fluttering her lashes— Easton sees everything because as Mrs. De León starts speaking, he whispers in my ear, “It’s sick … the hold that motherfucker thinks he has over you. He makes empty threats and always has. The sooner you realize that…”
My thoughts stray to yesterday, to the argument they had in the hall. It’s more than obvious they have a history, and like everything else Phoenix is involved with, it’s dark and terrible. Gathering my nerve, I take a chance and ask Easton what that is. When I peek over my shoulder, he shoots me a half-smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.
“His dad’s shit practices have made things difficult for my father. I’m very protective of my family.” His voice is hard and flat, like his gaze, and my skin prickles.
I quickly shake off the sensation. Easton’s family was hurt by the Townsends—probably some sort of financial fuckery since Royce Townsend is the CEO of an investment firm. Why shouldn’t Easton react coldly?
“I’m so sorry—" But I stop myself because Mrs. De León loudly warns that everything she’s reviewing will be on our next quiz and she suggests we pay attention. I turn around, pretending to be interested in her lecture. I wait until she focuses on an answering a question to softly whisper, “You seriously think he won’t do anything to retaliate?”
Behind me, Easton gives a little snort. “Even if he does, what’s he going to do? Kick my ass? I’d like to see him try.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing.”
He reaches forward and rests his hand on my shoulder. The weight is heavy and warm, but I don’t relax under his grip. If anything, it makes me even more nervous. My eyes immediately shoot to Phoenix, but he’s no longer looking our way. Or rather, he’s making it seem as if he’s not looking at us. In my gut I know he’s totally aware of every single thing happening between Easton and me right now.
I have to wonder if Easton knows that, too, as he puts his lips next to my ear again, so close his warm
breath tickles my flesh. “Don’t worry about me. I’m a big boy.”
I can’t resist shooting another look at Phoenix. His hands are curled into fists on his desk and one corner of his mouth is still quirked. Like he finds his own anger highly amusing.
That’s why I’m positive that Easton’s dead wrong.
He can’t handle Phoenix, a guy who doesn’t seem to care what he has to put on the line to get what he wants. Everything and everyone are expendable to him. He doesn’t care who stands up to him, and he doesn’t care why they did so in the first place. In his eyes, we’re all the same.
Anyone who gets in his way is an obstacle that he’ll happily crush, and fuck every consequence.
No, Easton can’t handle that.
I’m pretty sure no one can.
20
“Trust me, Miss Luna, there’s no mistake. It’s all been arranged and paid for,” the receptionist on duty tells me for the second time.
I stare at her in disbelief. No, she can’t possibly be right. This has to be a fluke. “Can you tell me who paid for this?” I hesitantly ask, my voice barely a whisper.
Her fingers fly across her keyboard, and she squints as she reads the results. “It looks like the transfer was requested by Mrs. Martinez’s legal guardian and paid for by a P. Townsend. It was an unusual request, but…”
This is where I stop listening, my brain too shocked to comprehend anything else. When I first walked into La Costa Community to visit my grandma, I dropped by the front desk to check in like usual. That’s when I was informed that she was moved to a different room. A bigger room.
A private suite.
I had asked why this decision was made without my knowledge, because there’s no way in hell Nina’s insurance will pay for a private room, no matter how badly I may want that to happen. Part of me was hopeful that Jasper made the move, even though I realized it would only mean he’s dug himself into a deeper financial hole. But at least then I would know he’s okay.
I never expected this answer.
Phoenix Townsend had gotten in touch with Nina’s guardian and had paid to upgrade her room.
Instead of being thrilled about the switch, I’m instantly suspicious. Phoenix hasn’t said a word about this. That alone is plenty of reason to worry because I know damn well he didn’t do any of this out of the goodness of his heart. I’m positive the bastard doesn’t even have a heart. This is just another way for him to demonstrate the control he has over me. If he can give this to my grandma, he can easily take it away if I don’t obey him like he wants me to.
Once again, Phoenix Townsend is using my family against me and there’s nothing I can do about it.
“You can go in now, Miss Luna,” the receptionist says, oblivious to my inner turmoil as she returns her attention to her work. It takes me a few seconds to get my body to shake off the stupor that’s settled over me and move forward through the doors leading to the main area of the home and then beyond to the private suites.
I get my priorities in line for the time being. Nina comes first, and I won’t think of Phoenix or his paying for her new room. I’ll just enjoy my time with her and confront him once I return to my gilded cage.
Once I’m back at the Townsend mansion and Reina takes off to meet a friend for a Sunday-night study session, I immediately hunt Phoenix down. He’s surprisingly easy to find, which is good because I half-expected him not even to be home. I find him in his dad’s study, sitting behind the large desk with a crystal glass of some amber liquid in his hand.
He looks absolutely untouchable, and I hate him for it.
At least … I want to hate him for it.
He glances up when I enter the room. “How’s Nina today?” he asks, a hard, mocking edge to his tone.
I come to a stop in front of the desk and fold my arms over my chest. “Care to explain why you paid for her to get a private room? Why you went behind my back to contact her guardian?”
He chuckles, swirling his glass with the liquid inside. It’s unnerving how natural he appears to be in that chair. He looks powerful, which is a look that fits him better than any school uniform or pair of designer jeans.
“I expected a little more gratitude, Luna,” he replies in a husky voice that sends a ripple down my spine. “I’ve done you and your grandma a huge favor putting her in that new room. I don’t even get a thank you?”
“Not when you’re clearly up to something. You wouldn’t do something like this just to be nice, admit it.”
Setting his drink down, he leans back in his chair and cocks a dark eyebrow. Christ, he looks so beautiful when he does that. “Stay away from Easton.”
I blink. “What? Are you serious? Is that why you did this? So that I wouldn’t sit with another boy in class?”
“I did it because I felt like it and before you decided to push your fucking luck with that bastard. If you don’t believe me, you can call the payment office. I called on Tuesday, today is Sunday.” He gestures to his phone on the desk, but his intense green gaze never leaves mine. “I want you to stay away from Easton because I said so.”
I narrow my eyes and clench my fists, my frustration making my blood boil. “Stop it, okay?”
He tilts his head and giving me a look that I think is supposed to appear innocent, but there’s nothing innocent about Phoenix Townsend. “Stop what?”
“Stop screwing with me and just tell me why you don’t want me around Easton. He said your father did something to his, and—”
“You don’t get to question me.”
I slap my hands down on the desk before I fully realize what I’m doing and hiss, “I’m not doing a damn thing you say until I get some answers. You won’t tell me where your parents are and when they’ll be back. You won’t tell me what my brother stole from you bastards. You won’t tell me why you use that funny little voice whenever you mention my dad. And now you won’t fucking tell me why I’m not allowed to be around Easton.”
“Luna—”
“Don’t Luna me! Because guess what? If I want to hang out with Easton, I’ll damn well hang out with Easton. In fact, maybe I’ll do more than hang out with him. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t turn me down if I made a move.”
I’m bluffing, but his eyes flash. He shoves to his feet, his demeanor shifting in an instant. He appears to be just barely suppressing his rage as he storms around the desk toward me. I straighten and turn so I’m facing him fully when he leans down and gets in my face.
I speak first, my voice a soft whisper, “Go ahead and make your threats, but I don’t see any follow-through. I think Easton was right about you. You’re all bark and no bite.”
“Oh, is that what that fucker thinks of me?” Darkness stains his voice, and he closes the distance between us. I instinctively back up a step, but that doesn’t stop him. In fact, he grins, seeming to enjoy my retreat. He continues to crowd me until my back is pressed against the wall, and I have nowhere else to go. Placing both of his hands on either side of my head, he cages me in. “Do you really believe him, Josslyn? That I’m all bark and no bite? Do you really want to test that theory?”
I swallow the fist-sized lump in the back of my throat. This is somehow far more intimidating than when he’s angry and yelling at me. I feel so small next to him like this. And damn, why the hell are my cheeks so hot?
“If I say yes?”
Of course, I’m referring to his first and second questions, but he zeroes in on the third. The one about testing the theory. “Then I guess I’ll just have to bite, huh?” He chuckles, and it’s an evil, sexy sound that makes me shiver. Leaning closer, he puts his lips next to my ear. “I have a feeling about you…”
He nips at the shell of my ear, and I gasp as heat pulses in my core. What the fuck? I stare up at him in shock, but it’s more at my own reaction than his words. He gazes back at me, his eyes dancing with pitch black amusement.
“You just need to say the word, Luna,” he continues in a low voice that’s laced with promis
e. “Say the word and I’ll bite you wherever you want.”
For a brief, terrible second, I’m tempted. So damn tempted, my knees go a little weak. No. No way. I am not feeling this way about him. I am not imagining what his lips and hands would feel like on my bare skin.
I am not attracted to this terrible boy.
We stay like that for a long time, neither of us moving. I don’t know what he’s waiting for. To see if I’ll crack or shove him away? My own internal struggle is so great, I’m paralyzed with indecision and confusion.
At last, a rumble leaps from his full lips, and the next thing I know, his hand is wrapped around my throat. He doesn’t squeeze, doesn’t do anything to actually choke me, but I understand exactly what his touch means. He’s in control. His hand may as well be a collar.
Why the hell does that thought turn me on even more?
He brings himself closer so that his lips are a breath away from mine. Is he going to kiss me? Do I want him to kiss me?
Shit, I don’t which thought is worse.
“The sooner you realize what this is, the better,” he murmurs, his breath fanning over me, the minty scent teasing my senses. “Resist all you want, but the end is inevitable.”
“And what is that?” I croak, instantly mortified at the breathiness of my voice.
His lips twitch with amusement. “You’ll find out soon enough. In the meantime, just do what I say like a good girl, okay?”
With that, he lets me go and takes a step back. My breath leaves my lungs in a rush, and I shove away from the wall the moment I have room to move and bolt toward the door without looking back.
No matter how hard I try, sleep is impossible.
I’m a fool for even making an attempt because I can’t stop thinking about my confrontation with Phoenix. His threats and words were shocking enough, but they’re not what has me staring at the ceiling with my heart racing and my cheeks flushed.
