Page 59 of Conquered

Ispend 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 anddeliciously 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 tohim, 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 apleasureto 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!