Page 36 of Conquered (Highgate Preparatory Academ:y Compendium)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

LILLY

I spend the rest of the weekend cooking with Kai; I show him how to make shepherd’s pie, and he shows me how to make those delicious ramen noodles. It's so nice just hanging out with him, Loki, and Jax. Even Ash isn’t being such an arse, and spends time relaxing with us all.

My relationship with Loki and Jax is crazy and intense, and we can’t get enough of each other, fucking like rabbits.

The thing that frightens me is, it’s not just about sex.

They make me feel things in a way I've never felt before.

We haven't really openly talked about it, but I'm just taking it as it comes.

I don't want to ruin what we've started by questioning it and putting a name to the feelings or a title to what we are.

Monday soon comes round again, and it's back to the grindstone of classes and studying. I'm a little surprised to find the guys taking it so seriously, only missing a couple of study evenings a week to do their ‘training,’ aka working out. At least, that’s what I assume they do as they all come back hot and deliciously sweaty. I’m desperate to go and watch, but Loki or Jax always seem to distract me! Not that I’m complaining.

Class is finished for the day, and as I open the door to our dorm I hear a stranger's voice. A deep baritone sound and I look up to see a tall man in a tailored black pinstripe suit turning to face me.

“Ah, you must be Lilly,” he says, his tone cultured, and face wreathed in smiles. He walks towards me, his manicured hand outstretched.

Something about him makes me hesitate, a cold shiver running up my spine, causing the hair on the back of my neck to stand on end.

He's older, maybe in his fifties, with black hair that's just starting to grey at the temples. His jaw is firm and chiselled, and he looks to be in pretty good shape, though not as stacked as the guys. When my gaze reaches his steel grey eyes, I make the connection.

This is Ash's father.

I briefly look past him to see all the guys sitting stiffly on two of the sofas. They look pretty tense, backs ramrod straight, and there's a muscle in Ash's jaw ticking, like he's furious and trying to keep it in check.

My eyes flit back to the man who's taken another step towards me, and I realise I've been silent for longer than is polite. Blinking, I quickly shut the door, walking towards him with my own hand outstretched.

“Yes. I'm Lilly. Lilly Darling. Pleased to meet you…” I trail off, not knowing his name.

He takes my hand in his, but doesn't shake it like I expect.

Instead, he brings it to his lips and places a kiss on my knuckles.

I have to suppress a cold shiver, and I swallow thickly, feeling all kinds of revulsion.

He looks at me like I'm an interesting toy to him, something to be played with then discarded when he grows bored.

“Julian,” he says in that deep voice of his. It's not an unpleasant sound, in fact, it's quite the opposite, but I feel uneasy all the same. “Julian Vanderbilt, and it's a pleasure to meet you.” He emphasises the word ‘pleasure’ and it's so creepy that I can't stop the shudder this time.

Instead of looking offended or embarrassed, he looks... excited? at my reaction. His eyes flash with what looks suspiciously like lust, but unlike when the guys look at me that way, now I feel dirty, like I need to scrub myself clean.

“We'll see you later then, Father.” I hear Ash say, and I don't miss the flash of annoyance that flares in Julian’s eyes. Ash comes up next to his dad, breaking the spell that Julian’s gaze held me under.

I look up and see Ash’s jaw is clenched, as he takes in my hand still in his father's grip.

Julian gives it a little squeeze, drawing my attention back to him.

“Until next time, Miss Darling,” he purrs out, placing another kiss on my knuckles before letting go. It takes everything in me not to wipe my hand along my side to get rid of the feel of his lips.

“Don't be late, boys,” he says, his voice stern, and straightening up, he walks towards the door, Ash following behind him. As soon as they close the door behind them, Loki is next to me, pulling me into his arms and engulfing me in his vanilla scent.

I don't miss that he takes the hand that Julian kissed and rubs his thumb over it.

“He seems…” I trail off, not knowing how to finish. How do I describe the way he made me feel, like I was his prey, and he was a creature of the darkness, a snake ready to strike.

“Like a complete asshole, Pretty Girl,” Loki says in that delicious drawl of his. It's completely different from Julian’s which was cold, lacking any human warmth.

The door opens before I can think of a response, and Ash walks in, looking at me held in Loki's arms. He walks right up to me with something like concern in his grey eyes. They're the exact same colour as his father's, yet couldn't be more different.

I always thought Ash was the ‘Ice Knight,’ but meeting Julian shows me that Ash has a fire which burns in the depths of his grey orbs that his father lacks.

He feels things passionately, even when it was just his dislike of me, or getting so cross when I’d taken too much Molly at the party in the woods.

He may keep his feelings hidden from outsiders, but those he lets in, see how deeply he cares.

“You okay, Princess?” he asks gently, scanning me from top to bottom.

“Of course. Why wouldn't I be?” I question back, my brow furrowed as I lean back from Loki’s grip. Why is he so...worried?

“Because his dad, Mr CE-fucking-O, just hit on you, the motherfucker,” Loki interjects angrily before Ash can say anything, and I can feel a slight tremble in his muscles, like they’re itching to go after Julian.

Ash glares at him but doesn't argue with what Loki's just said.

“What?! No!” I splutter out, stepping out of Loki's arms to look him in the eye.

Why would he hit on me? And ewww!

“He did, Baby Girl,” I hear Jax rumble before he pulls me into his chest. I can feel his rapid heartbeat through my palm, and it’s instinctual for me to snuggle into his warm embrace.

“Why are you guys acting so strange?” I ask, looking up into his blue eyes. “His behaviour was a little odd and creepy, but harmless. Right?”

I hear a cruel bark of laughter sound out behind me and turn my head to see Ash shaking his own.

“My father is anything but harmless,” he practically spits the word out, like he can't stand him. “He's fucking dangerous, and you won’t be meeting him again,” he says in a hard voice, determination in his gaze that lets me know that his will is law as far as he’s concerned.

“We have to go out tonight, Princess, business stuff,” he continues.

“Don't forget to lock the door.” And with that, he heads off upstairs.

“Well, that wasn't cryptic at all,” I say sarcastically, stepping away from Jax. “What time do you guys need to leave?” I ask.

“Oh, not until after dinner,” Kai answers, getting up from his seat and coming towards me. “Wanna help me make lasagna?” he asks, a smile on his face.

“I'd love to.” I smile back. Before I can take a step towards Kai, Loki has grabbed me again and spun me round, his arms wrapping round my waist.

“You'll be okay by yourself, Pretty Girl?” he asks with genuine concern in his voice, his own forehead creased with wrinkles.

“I'll be fine,” I say, my own hands smoothing up his bare arms. Why are guys’ arms so fucking sexy? All the better to pin you down with, duh.

“Anyway, the next book in this crazy awesome series I'm reading has just come out,” I continue, getting excited.

“It's about a girl and four guys, who are all epic as fuck dancers.

They've spent years apart, and I'm hoping they are finally getting back together.

I hear the sex scenes are hot as sin, so I think I'll take my Kindle and have a long soak in the bath,” I tease, grinning wickedly, the tension inside me releasing as his gaze turns lustful.

Loki groans and I hear Jax growl, stepping up behind me and caging me in between them.

“Tell me you're not gonna touch yourself in the bath,” Loki pleads huskily.

“I can't make any promises, Pretty Boy ,” I sass back at him as I feel Jax moving closer from behind. They're both growing hard against me, and my smile turns evil.

“Uh uh, boys,” I say, stepping out from between them. “I've got to help Kai with dinner.”

“You’re seriously gonna leave us with blue balls, Pretty Girl?” Loki whines, an incredulous look on his beautiful face.

“Yes,” I say. “It's punishment for leaving me all alone with only my fingers for company,” I tell him, wiggling my fingers as I step backwards. Heat flares in their eyes as they stand shoulder to shoulder, looking a little like they're thinking about just hauling me upstairs.

“But you can relieve them as soon as you get back and find me warm, naked, and wet in Loki's bed.” I smile sweetly, laughing at the matching looks of frustration on their faces.

LOKI

The meaty sound of Jax’s fist hitting Brandon Franklin, CEO of Florence Pharmaceuticals, in the jaw sounds loud in the bright underground room at the cabin. An arc of crimson blood splatters across the floor, the contrast to the white tiles fascinating me for a moment.

“What do you want with me?” Brandon whimpers, whipping his head back to face us, his jaw already bruising.

There’s blood dribbling down his chin from a split lip, staining his very nice powder blue shirt. Unfortunately for him, he’s tied to the chair so he can’t wipe it off.

“You’ve become a person of interest to us, Mr Franklin,” Ash drawls out, in a bored tone, examining the back of his hand.