Page 88 of Seduce & Destroy

I slowly nodded, loosening my arms around her. “We.”

She fell back on her heels.

I pointed a finger at her and tapped her nose. “Don’t make me regret it.”

She smiled. “Well, don’t hog the covers then.”

“Pinky swear.”

I dare not tell her that her bedroom was untouched next door as I pulled down my duvet and wrapped her up in the warmth.

?

It took a while to register that the voice coming from outside the door was real, and not just in my dream. The warmth of my bed was blissful. Damn these rich folks for investing in the good stuff. This was certainly the best bed I’ve ever slept on. Just as I began to drift again, the voice returned louder.

“Kk, it’s almost twelve! Give me a sign of life or I’m sending dad in!”

I sat up so quickly that I was flung back down into the mattress by the arm that held me down like a seatbelt. Father definitely couldn’t find this. “I’m awake! I’m awake, promise!” A groan came from beside me. Softly, I whispered to Laney, “Let me go, I won’t leave, promise.” It was enough to get her to loosen her grip.

“Come to lunch, Mum wants to speak to you. Ten minutes. Okay?”

My head was fuzzy when I got to my feet. If I wore white more often, I’d never stop doing laundry because of the amount of clothing I’ve stained by the blood. Each movement opened the scab. It was the itch that was more irritating than the sting.

I took my top off as I looked down at the floor to find an outfit to wear. Tight jeans were out of the question. My leather jacket was too hard of a material. Just this once, I wished cosy jumpers were my aesthetic. Leggings and a jumper were the way to go.

I had got one leg in my leggings when there was a knock at the door.

“Coming!” I shouted. Laney groaned, still face planted into her pillow.

“Now, Kilina.”

This family. I grit my teeth, trying not to sound angry. “I’m getting changed!”

A sock was stuck in the other leg of the leggings, I punched my foot to shift it, but it was a struggle. I breathed hard and yanked it up over my knee.

Then, the door clicked open. Mothers.

“I said I was coming.”

She looked disapproving at my disarray, only seeming sympathetic when she noticed my flinch. “I can help, you know, here,” she said, coming to my side to hold me steady as I pushed the leggings over my hips. “The top?”

I pointed aimlessly toward a black shirt that laid beside my bed. A turtleneck. Black. It’ll do. I sat on the vanity chair to catch some breath. My body hurt. “What did you want to talk to me about?” Might as well start the discussion early.

Sleep still clouded my eyes. Man, I need more sleep. Or less excitement in my life. Somehow it didn’t feel right without it.

Mummy usually couldn’t go one minute without inserting her opinion into something, the quiet was unusual. Thankfully, Laney was still sound asleep.

“Mummy?”

That’s when I looked up.

She was frozen at my bedside, her eyes unmoving from something on the bed.

Laney. Shit.

“It’s not what it looks like.”

She lifted her gaze to me. “You said it was over. That’s not what it looks like.”