Page 135 of Dark Knight (Knight's Ridge Empire 10)

DAEMON

The others were still packing their shit up when I grabbed my bag from the tipi I’d shared with Calli and Alex and took off toward my car.

Unfortunately, the move wasn’t as smooth as I was hoping for, because before I can get swallowed up by the shadows of the trees, a voice carries over to me.

“Bro, wait up.”

I pause, aware that he’ll just chase me if I try to keep going.

“You leaving already?” he asks once he’s in front of me.

I look down at the bag in my hand, wondering if that wasn’t obvious enough.

“I need to get back,” I say coldly.

“Stay for food, then I’ll come back with you, if you want. Keep you company.”

“If by that you mean so that you can nag me about school and shit, then nah, you’re all good.”

“What if I just wanna hang out with my brother? Talk and shit.”

“I need to get back,” I repeat like an imbecile. “I’ve got work to do,” I add, hoping that the promise of me studying will get him off my case.

“D, don’t do this,” he begs.

“Do what?” I ask, his pleading with me to be normal getting my back up.

“Walk away like you’re not wanted here. That’s bullshit, and you know it.”

“That’s not what this is. I just need—“

“To get back. Yeah, I got that fucking memo.” He kicks a stone by his foot and it flies off into the forest before colliding with a tree.

“Have you at least said goodbye to Calli?” he asks as if he’s aware of just how deep that will cut.

“What’s that got to do with anything?” I bark, getting more and more suspicious that Calli might just be right.

It’ll be my own fault if he knows. I was careless. Foolish. Pussy-whipped, addicted, fucking blindsided. Whatever you want to call it. But when she’s close… goddamn it.

“You two just looked kinda cosy this morning, that’s all.”

“Oh yeah? Like I’m sure you two didn’t yesterday morning when I wasn’t here. Careful, Bro. You’re looking all green over there.”

His teeth clench and his jaw tics at my words.

“Fuck you, man. I still woke with my cock nestled nicely against her fine ass.”

The thought alone sends a rush of fury through my veins, and my fists curl at my sides.

“I hoped you enjoyed jerking off in the shower to that memory,” I scoff before spinning on my heels and marching through the trees.

“You’re a pussy, Daemon. And a fucking coward.” That word hits me right in the chest. I fight to suck in the air I need as I consider the possibility of him and Calli discussing it. “And I’m not surprised Dad doesn’t want you on his team right now. You’re a fucking liability.”

The need to turn around and flatten him burns through me. It takes all the willpower I possess to just keep walking as his taunts repeat over and over in my mind.

The worst part is that they’re true.

Alex knows it. I know it.