Page 113 of Dark Knight (Knight's Ridge Empire 10)

“This place is incredible.”

“Officially, it’s not open until the weekend. We’re the guinea pigs.”

“I’m not even going to ask how you found out about this.”

“Just enjoy it, Cal. Come on, let’s go explore.”

We step through two of the tipis to find a huge decked courtyard, complete with hot tub, bonfire, barbecue and benches, logs, loungers, and hammocks to chill out in.

“The big one is the communal kitchen living area,” Stella says, pointing it out. “And the others are all bedrooms.” I spin around, looking at the little bridges that connect the five smaller huts to the main area. Fairy lights are strung up between them all, and I can only imagine how magical this place will be when the sun goes down later and the bonfire is crackling away.

“I really landed on my feet with you lot, huh?” Jodie mutters, her eyes wide in shock.

“There are six of these set up, scattered through the woods.”

“I take back everything I said about reevaluating our friendship,” I say with a laugh as Stella leads us to the main tipi to check it all out.

* * *

It was almost two hours later by the time the rumble of an engine carried over the crackling of the fire that the five of us had managed to start and keep going.

Stella and Emmie looked at me like I was crazy when I admitted that I’d never started a fire before. I have no idea why they were so surprised—they point out often enough just how smothered I’ve been by all the males in my life since the day I was born.

Their eyes all lit up, much like I’m sure ours did, as they walked toward us, taking in our lodgings for the next few days.

Unsurprisingly, Alex’s eyes searched me out and he quickly made a beeline toward me, squeezing his arse onto my lounger and wrapping his arm around my shoulders, much to Nico’s annoyance.

But his reaction was the last thing I cared about in that moment as the five of them made themselves comfortable. All I could think about was the person who was missing. The one who’d once again been left behind. It didn’t matter that he’d been invited and refused. My heart still ached for the boy who was always on the sidelines as we grew up, watching the guys all form bonds and experience things without him.

And as the night went on, that knot in my stomach and dull pain in my heart only got worse.

“You waiting for an important call or something?” Alex asks, dropping onto the bench beside me. The others are all sitting around the bonfire, drinking and roasting marshmallows as instructed by Stella.

In a rush, I push my phone into my hoodie pocket and plaster a fake smile on my face.

I’d sent the message to Daemon hours ago.

He’s read it, too.

Those little blue ticks have taunted me ever since.

But he’s not so much as sent me a fucking emoji back.

I silently fume as Alex gets comfortable beside me.

“N-no. I was just scrolling through Insta,” I lie, hating that I’ve been reduced to this. Hating everything.

His stare burns into the side of my face, and my shot nerves over this whole situation almost get the better of me.

“Alex, I’ve got something I need to—”

“NICO,” Brianna squeals. Her chair crashes against the decking as she jumps to her feet, her bottle of beer going flying as she takes off, Nico chasing after her.

“He wants her,” Alex mutters with amusement.

“What gave you that idea?” I quip, watching as Nico catches up to Brianna and throws her over his shoulder, effectively flashing us her thong-clad arse in the process.

“You barbarian. Put me down,” she squeals, slamming her clenched fists down on his arse and kicking her legs frantically.