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Do you have any idea how fucking hard it is to wash red lipstick off glass with just water and hand soap?Not something I ever thought I’d have to do.

As soon as I saw the writing, I got out my laptop and logged into the cloud for the security system and deleted the footage.

My frustration didn’t end there, though. No, my whole morning has been filled with Aurora. She was in my shower, her hair in my fucking brush, her scent everywhere. If she was trying to drive me insane, she’s succeeded. I’ve tried really fucking hard to not think about her.

Every time I do, guilt eats at me. It’s a betrayal to Kenny. I can’t betray my cousin because my dick wants the girl who killed him. I don’t want to want her. When I told her that I hated her, I meant it. I do hate her. But there’s still this fucking need for her I can’t get rid of.

I can ignore it. I’m not weak, and I know whatever the fuck it is, it’ll pass with time.

When I get to school, I seek her out. It doesn’t take long to find her standing by her locker with her cousin Mabilia. “You’ve seriously lost your fucking mind,” I hiss, trying to keep my voice low. The last thing I need is for the whole school to know our business.

“Oh, babe, that was lost a long time ago.” Aurora smiles at me. “How’s your morning been?” Her hand lands on my chest and my whole body ignites. My cock hardens.

“I’ve had better. Whatever game you’re playing, stop,” I tell her. Pulling her lipstick out of my pocket and shoving it into her hand. “Stay the fuck away from me.”

“Whoa, I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but you cannot talk to her like that.” Mabilia squeezes herself betweenus. “Give me a reason, Connor. Just one. And your family will be down another heir.”

“I’d love to see you try.” I raise an eyebrow and then look behind her at a fuming Aurora.

“You think I can’t?Or won’t?” Mabilia asks.

“I have no doubt you’d try. But as crazy as you are, she’s worse, and I know she’d never let you put so much as a scratch on me.” I nod my head towards Aurora. “Isn’t that right, princess?”

She pushes Mabilia to the side, leaning up on her tiptoes as her lips press against my cheek. “See you later, Connor,” she says and then walks off, dragging Mabilia behind her.

What the fuck was that?

I expected her to fight back. She acted like nothing was even happening. She really is losing it. If she’s not going to listen to me, maybe I can get someone in her family to put a fucking leash on her and keep her the fuck away from me.

I walk outside and hone in on my target. Dante. The asshole thinks he’s the king around here. Let’s see if his subjects actually know how to follow orders—something tells me Aurora is the exception.

Doesn’t matter. I can’t let her think she can just come into my house without any consequences.

“You need to do something about this,” I tell Dante, showing him the screenshot of Aurora walking through my bedroom. “She doesn’t know what they’d do if she gets caught breaking into my house. Make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“You know the easiest way to stop her from doing shit like that is for you to just disappear. Want me to help you with that?” he asks.

“You can threaten me all you like. And just like I told Mabilia earlier, it’s pointless. We both know you’re not going to act on it. What would your insane cousin think if you did? You knowshe loves me, right? Who knows what crazy shit she’d do for someone she loves,” I remind him.

I see it coming and do nothing to stop it. His fist hits the side of my face. He can throw a punch. I’ll give him that. I smirk.

“Guess we’re about to find out just how deep that love goes.” I laugh as I turn and walk away.

I haven’t been sitting next to her in class. But today, I want to. I want her to see the bruise forming on my face. I want to see her reaction.

Am I an asshole for inciting a bit of family conflict?Sure.But do I care?Not one single bit.

I don’t doubt where Aurora’s heart lies. I know she loves me. It’s the fact she killed my cousin I can’t look past. And the fact my family will kill her, after they do unthinkable horrors to her first.

I count in my head.Three, two, one.And just like that, Aurora’s hands are on my cheeks, turning my face in her direction. “Who the fuck hit you?” she asks.

“Don’t fucking touch me.” I shove her arms aside.

“Answer the question, Connor,” she says.

“Why? What are you gonna do? Kill another innocent kid?” I ask, and watch as her face falls. I’ve never seen that expression on her. Remorse. And now I feel like a real ass. But I’m not going backwards.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “Wait a minute. Remind me again… who was it who helped Ian climb out that window?”