Page 26

TWENTY-SIX

JORDAN

I awoke the next morning to the sound of frantic voices, followed by cursing. After fucking Rosalie, I’d given her something to clean up with and then cleaned myself off before passing out beside her. I hadn’t intended on fucking her but feeling her pressed up against me made it a no-brainer. It didn’t matter, anyway. She was just another cunt to sink into—sloppy seconds or not.

Prying my eyes open, I glanced to my left, assessing the source of all the noise.

Fucking Christ.

Not only was Seven in here, but so was Shaylynn. My mind was still riddled with sleep, so I couldn’t quite make out what was being said. It was clear that whatever was going on between them was anything but a friendly discussion. Shay’s hands were balled at her sides, her eyes narrowed as she snarled.

“What the fuck are you doing in here?” I rasped, my voice still thick from sleep.

Beside me, Rosalie was still curled into a ball. There was a crease between her brows as she slept soundlessly. She really must have needed sleep if she was able to sleep through this shit. My gaze trailed over her body, noting that she was still covered—not that I gave a shit who saw her naked.

Seven turned to me, narrowing his crystalline eyes. “Does Archer know you’ve been fucking his bitch?” he demanded.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” It was too damn early for this shit.

Shay propped her hands on her hips, glaring daggers at the woman sleeping beside me. She parted her lips like she wanted to add something but thought better of it and pursed them instead.

“Exactly what I said,” he snapped.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d think that Seven was acting like a jealous lover. I sat up, letting the blankets pool around my waist and pressed my back against the wall behind me.

My gaze slid to the brunette at his side. “And why are you here?”

Shay pressed her lips together, a look of contemplation overtaking her features. She was a pretty girl with short brown hair and piercing eyes. Over the last couple of weeks, she’d become a bit of a leech though, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about it.

“I came to see if you wanted to hang out after breakfast,” she finally said, casting another dirty look toward the girl sleeping beside me.

“Pass.” My eyes drifted back to Seven who now had his arms folded across his chest.

“Might want to do something about that before Archer shows up.” He gestured to Rosalie.

I rolled my eyes. “Like you don’t intend on telling him anyway,” I countered, shoving the blankets from my waist. Making sure Rosalie was still covered, I sloppily climbed out of bed. Shay’s face flushed crimson and she quickly averted her gaze when she realized I’d caught her staring. I rounded my bed, scooping up my clothes and tugged them on.

“Fair enough.” Seven smirked after a few moments.

“If he doesn’t say anything, I will,” Shay added, even though it had absolutely nothing to do with her.

I honestly couldn’t give less of a shit, even if I wanted to. As far as I knew, she wasn’t exclusive with Archer. If she was… well, that should prove right there how much of a slut she was. Problem solved. Monogamous relationships didn’t make sense to me in a place like this, anyway. What was the point?

Sighing, I shoved a hand through my hair and glanced around the room in search of my shoes. Once locating them, I slipped them on.

“I’ll meet you in the cafeteria after I shower,” I told Seven, stuffing my hands into the pockets of my sweats. “And you,” I turned to Shay. “Get the hell out.”

Her lips parted in surprise. “Oh! Um… right,” she stammered, taking a step backwards toward the door. “Sorry, Jordan. I’ll see you later.” A flush was already working its way up her neck, traveling to the rest of her body.

I shook my head in annoyance once she’d left the room, letting the door fall closed behind her with a small click that echoed throughout the small space.

Seven snorted in amusement. “She wants your cock, man.” His gaze shifted over to Rosalie and his features hardened as if merely seeing her was enough to piss him the fuck off. “You planning on waking her?”

I glanced over my shoulder, taking in her long blonde hair that was fanned out all around her. Her back was exposed, the comforter barely covering her ass where it pooled around her curvaceous figure. Her skin was so smooth and the urge to reach out and trace my fingers along her spine was infuriating. She was just a girl.

An extremely pretty girl with a tight, warm pussy.

My cock twitched at the memory of what it felt like to be inside her—to have her nails scraping down my back—and the look in her eyes when I knew she wanted to kiss me, even if she wouldn’t verbally admit it.

“Let her sleep a little while longer. I’ll wake her up if she’s still out when I get done showering.”

Seven narrowed his eyes at me, and for a moment, I thought he might protest, but he jerked his head in a single nod instead. “I may just skip breakfast,” he declared after a few moments of silence.

A scoff fluttered past my lips. “You can’t hide from him forever.” I turned, navigating the way toward my closet where I proceeded to gather a change of clothes.

“I’m not hiding,” he ground out. “I just don’t want to see his betraying face any more than I have to.”

Cradling my clothes in the crook of my arm, I turned to him with a raised eyebrow. “You had no problem with his so-called betrayal when you were buried inside Rosalie yourself,” I pointed out. “And then you proceeded to fuck her together. I don’t understand why you’re so worked up over it when you could both just share her.”

A muscle popped along the edge of his jaw, his icy blue eyes flickering over to where Rosalie slept soundlessly. “It would never work.”

“Why not?” I countered, striding toward my bed and lowering my clothing to the foot of it.

“You’re kidding me, right?” he snarled incredulously. “For one, she isn’t like us. I don’t even know why she’s here if I’m being honest. For two, anytime I see her with Archer I want to gut her like a fucking fish.” His nostrils flared as if the mere thought of seeing them together pissed him off.

I snorted a laugh and shook my head, crossing the room to collect my bathing products. Seven was a damn fool. He was jealous of Rosalie—that much was apparent. It still didn’t stop him from fucking her, not once, but twice . It wasn’t my business, and I didn’t even know why I was entertaining him or his relationship problems. Probably because I was sick and tired of hearing them fight.

At last, Rosalie shifted on the bed, capturing my attention. The sheets jostled around her, on the brink of slipping and revealing that perfect, round ass of hers. Strands of blonde hair slipped down her tan back, brushing against her delicate skin. As if she were a magnet, Seven’s gaze fell on her, heat spreading through his irises.

I knew she was awake by how her breathing rhythm changed. It was deep and slow while she slept but had morphed into something quicker and uncoordinated. Clutching the blankets against her chest, she turned, her tired gaze locking with mine before moving over to where Seven stood. I didn’t miss the way she narrowed her eyes at him, her jaw tightening like she couldn’t stand the mere sight of him.

Had something happened between them since they had sex, or was she still pissed about the way he treated her after the fact?

Maybe you should pick her brain and find out.

I bet it would taste delicious.

My nose scrunched up with disgust. I was a lot of things, but a cannibal wasn’t one of them. Even the voices couldn’t talk me into doing that .

“I see you’re making your rounds,” Seven commented with a sharp edge to his voice. “I’ll be sure to tell your little boyfriend about your extracurricular activities, so you don’t have to.”

She scoffed in response, pushing herself into a sitting position with the comforter still clutched to her chest. “He’s not my boyfriend, so do what you want. I don’t give a fuck.” She paused, worrying her lip in contemplation as she rose.

I watched as she scoured the room, gathering up her clothes. She didn’t tell either of us to turn around, probably because she knew it wouldn’t do any good, and dropped the blanket. My gaze dropped to her round ass instantly, a groan building in my throat. She had a damn good body, and I hadn’t explored it as much as I’d wanted to. She hurriedly got dressed, tugging at the hem of her shirt while she turned to face us.

“You left a gift in my room,” she said slowly, pinning her blue eyes on Seven.

Confusion tore through me, causing my eyebrows to crumple. A gift? What the hell was she talking about?

He stared back at her, a cocky smirk curling the edges of his mouth upwards. “Did you like it?” he asked. “I thought it was a bit… what’s the word?” He tapped his chin in a mocking gesture. “Creative.”

Her lips twitched, but it wasn’t from amusement. “Maybe,” she agreed, taking a step toward him. “But I think it’s only fair that I return the favor.” Her voice was anything but sweet.

I glanced between the two of them, somehow becoming the outsider in whatever game this was between them.

Before Seven could even get a word out, she was cocking back her arm and driving her fist into his face. His head whipped to the side, the contact echoing throughout my room. I figured she’d bolt, just like she did the last time she hit him, but this time seemed different. Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, she placed her palms against his shoulders for support and drove her knee up between his legs. He crumpled to the floor instantly, an agonized sound rumbling through his chest as he clutched himself.

Unable to help myself, a surprised laugh left my lips.

Rosalie grabbed a fistful of his hair, jerking his head back and shooting a venomous look in his direction. “If you ever come into my room again and ruin my things, I will fucking murder you in your goddamn sleep.”

His eyes widened in surprise; the arrogance long gone.

What could he have possibly ruined to warrant this kind of?—

Oh…

The bear.

Blood was already beginning to blossom on the side of his lower lip, making him look slightly more unhinged. His initial surprise wore off and he narrowed his eyes at her, anger simmering within their depths.

“What was it about that bear anyway?” I couldn’t help but ask. I knew it was sentimental to her for unknown reasons—that it had belonged to her younger sister. But it was only a stuffed animal.

She had no time to answer my question. Seven grabbed her, forcing a gasp from her lungs as he pulled her against him, winding his hand through her long blonde strands.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” he growled. “Because now, I’m going to enjoy breaking you.”

Her legs were positioned on either side of his, their bodies molded perfectly together. It was a shame they hated one another so badly, because they did look good together.

“You can’t break what’s already been broken.”

His nostrils flared, and I could tell he was torn between fucking the living shit out of her or strangling her until she ceased to exist.

A knock sounded on my bedroom door, causing a flicker of irritation to spiral through me. Why the hell was I so popular today? Sighing, I turned and wrenched it open, not at all surprised to find Archer standing in the doorway.

“Hey, have you seen—” His words faltered, fading out of existence as his eyes drifted behind me. His jaw tightened instantly.

I muttered a curse beneath my breath and took a step back to allow him entry. I just wanted a goddamn shower. Archer pushed past me, his gaze zeroing in on the couple positioned on the floor. Seven released her instantly and she scrambled to her feet, smoothing out her skirt.

I closed the door and leaned against it, raking my hand through my hair before folding my arms over my chest. This was bound to be interesting.

Archer strolled up to her instantly, latching his hand around Rosalie’s throat. Her eyes widened and she grasped at his wrist, confusion swimming in the depths of her blue eyes.

“Did you fuck him?” He jerked his head in Seven’s direction.

Even if she wanted to speak, I wasn’t sure she could. Her lips were parted, and her face was changing in shade.

If she died in my room, that would be pretty inconvenient. There would probably be a mess, and then it would need to be investigated. I’d lose my room entirely if that happened.

“Archer,” I warned.

Seven shot me a glare and subtly shook his head, telling me to shut the hell up. Did he hate her so much that he truly wanted her to die?

I blew out an annoyed breath. “Can you at least kill her in the hallway? This is my fucking room.”

Their whole dynamic was confusing the hell out of me. They were willing to share her, but if she fucked them separately, it was an issue. Someone needed to fill Rosalie in on the rules.

Archer’s hand tightened around her throat, forcing a gargled sound from her throat.

Shit .

He was crushing her fucking windpipe. A foreign feeling settled within my stomach, making me uncomfortable. I was supposed to keep her safe, not allow my friends to murder her.

At least this would get me an additional favor.

I moved forward, wrapping my fingers around Archer’s strained arm before jerking it away from her. She buckled forward, gasping for air. Her long hair tumbled out around her as she greedily sucked in more and more oxygen.

“Are you trying to fucking kill her?” I growled, shoving him away from her. He stumbled back, but righted himself before he could trip and bust his ass.

“Did you fuck him?” he asked again, his nostrils flaring with unrestrained anger.

Rosalie was still working to catch her breath but after a few moments, she lifted her head, shooting him an incredulous look. “No, asshole,” she rasped. “And even if I did, it’s none of your goddamn business.”

He lurched forward, but I was quick to haul him back again.

“Calm your shit, Archer.”

He whirled on me then, his eyes flashing with something dark and unhinged. “Why are you protecting her?” he demanded, pausing as the wheels started churning in his brain. “Better yet, why is she here?”

My throat bobbed with a thick swallow. I wasn’t scared of him in the least. But he was already on edge and telling him that she spent the night here, and that I’d fucked the shit out of her, probably wouldn’t go over so well. Not for Rosalie, at least. I couldn’t monitor her twenty-four seven.

“She was hearing voices.” I shrugged.

Rosalie snapped her head in my direction and narrowed her eyes. “Really, asshole?”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a damn shower. I assume you can find your way to the fucking door.” I glanced between the three of them, annoyance flaring deep within me.

I didn’t need to tell Rosalie twice. She was already spinning on her heels, booking it toward the exit.

Archer’s blue eyes had darkened nearly to black, his jaw thrumming violently with tension. He stared at me for a few beats before turning and striding toward the door. Seven waited a few moments longer and followed after him, leaving me alone at last.

I ran a hand through my hair. Rosalie wasn’t worth this shit. I figured Archer wouldn’t care since he had no issue pimping her out to Seven in the first place, but clearly, I’d miscalculated.

Art was the only thing keeping my mind at ease. It helped dull the voices, leaving me with almost a serene feeling. The pencil glided across the page in effortless strokes—the image slowly coming together. I didn’t even know what I was drawing at first, just that I needed to sketch something .

Long hair fell around sharp shoulders as the woman lay on her stomach, glancing over her shoulder with a devilish gleam in her eyes. A bed of roses surrounded her, intertwined with daisies. The woman was completely bare, her round ass in perfect view within the sketch.

My throat constricted, followed by a current of confusion slamming into me. Out of anything I could have drawn, it had to be her . I swallowed thickly, ripping my gaze away from the image. I’d been working on it over the course of a few days, but it hadn’t made sense to me until this very moment.

I glanced up, eyeing the girl across the room. She was focused on her own piece, her fingers gliding across a piece of parchment set out before her. Oddly enough, she seemed to be more in her element than I was. Was she an artist, too? Did she escape this twisted world by making a new reality that only she could access?

Fuck

Why did I even care?

My jaw tightened in frustration. It didn’t matter. Regardless of how pretty Rosalie Swanson was, I was cursed. Attempting to pursue something with her would only end in her death. It was inevitable.

I closed my sketchbook, not wanting anyone to catch a glimpse of it. I’d flush it as soon as I got back to my room.