Page 29 of From Angel to Rogue (Four Foxes #6)

KATY

“Let me see.” I fixed Luka’s little tie for probably the fifth time since morning.

“I think it looks fine, Katiew,” he mumbled, sipping his juice box.

“Yes, Katiew.” Lan mimicked Luka. “I think it looks a bit more than fine. I think Katiew wants to go to school herself.”

Luka chuckled like it was the funniest thing he had heard in a while.

“Fine.” I rolled my eyes as I let go. But I couldn’t help but smile at the gleam in their eyes as they made fun of me.

It wasn’t fair how boys got to bond a lot faster.

Luka and Lan got along so well that Luka even declared he only wanted Lan to read him bedtime stories. He said my voice was scary. I couldn’t blame him; they did get a bit raspy when I spoke too much.

In a way, I was happy it wasn’t me because I didn’t realize Lan reading bedtime stories in his animated voice would soon become my favorite thing to watch. It made my heart flutter and at the same time, made all my lady bits squirmy.

“Ready for the first day of school?” I picked up his tiny bag as Lan helped him with his jacket.

“Yes Katiew,” Luka answered me while Lan zipped his jacket to his collar.

I nodded, mustering a smile that hid the nerves that churned my guts.

I hoped Luka had the opposite experience of what I had in my earlier school days.

“I’ll take it.” Lan didn’t even wait for my answer as he took hold of Luka’s bag and we all descended to our private parking lot, where Lan pointed to Luka all the expensive cars that our friends owned while Luka watched in awe.

Luka’s favorite was Mikey’s collection of violet sports cars, the same shade as his lover’s eyes.

“Lawndon, what’s that?” Luka’s curious eyes landed on Lan’s motorcycle collection. As soon as he moved in, he had them all shipped from LA. The only other thing he brought from there was his clothes. I guess neither of us wanted anything from that house.

My eyes couldn’t help but drag to his Ducati Monster, and a betraying blush burned my cheeks red.

Lan’s eyes darted to me for a flash with a knowing smirk like he knew exactly what I was thinking, and that only made me blush deeper.

“That’s my bike collection buddy.”

“Oh.” Luka’s eyes sparkled as his mouth formed an O.

“Can I go on it, Lawndon?”

Lan nodded. “Yes, but only when you grow tall and strong like me.”

“Like when I get to be a superhero?” he hushed, staring at Lan intently.

“Yes, when you get to be a superhero,” Lan whispered.

I cleared my throat. “Come on, we’re late for school,” I called out to both of them, interrupting their very serious superhero discussion.

Tyler was driving us today in the new Maybach we purchased. We can’t really take Luka on a bike. I knew how to drive, but I hadn’t gotten in the driver’s seat for almost six years, and I wasn’t going to test that today.

“Hi, Mr. Twyler.” Luka held out his fist to Tyler, already acquainted with him when he picked Luka and Naomi up from Iona.

It was comical to watch the big man crouch to meet the little fella’s fist. “Hello, Mr. Luka.”

Luka grinned like a good little boy. “I’m going to become strong and tall like you when I grow up, Mr. Twyler. Lawndon is going to teach me.”

A rare smile lifted Tyler’s lips. “Bet you can beat me?”

Luka nodded. “Of course.”

“Okay, baby, we can chat with Tyler in the car. We’re really late for school,” I muttered, nudging Luka

I lied. We were at least twenty minutes early. Something about him not making it to school on time added to my swirling guts. I think now I finally understood my mother’s nerves whenever she dropped us off at school.

Luka obediently slipped inside the car and jumped into his booster seat in the middle, and Lan secured his belt.

Soon, we were cruising down the road, my eyes plastered on the window, biting my lips a little too hard while Luka continued his conversation with Tyler.

A rough, calloused hand gripped mine, snapping my attention from the blurring city.

My eyes met Lan, who stared right at me, his eyes, the shade of chocolate glimmering like bourbon on rocks from the bright sunlight seeping through the window. It lit the sharp angles of his face—his chiseled nose, pursed lips, and straight nose.

Every inch of him was perfect. Without even trying, he was perfect.

Perfectly fitting into all the holes in my body.

Making me full.

“It’s going to be okay,” he mouthed, squeezing my hand.

I nodded, heaving out a breath that was somehow lighter now that I was holding his hand. It dissipated some of my tension.

Lan earned a few glances as we threaded Luka through the crowd of parents and students at the Charles-Richardson Elementary School in the Upper East Side.

It took us about five minutes to find Luka’s homeroom, where his teacher, Ms. Nancy, greeted us with a wide smile.

“You must be Katy and Landon,” she said, holding out a hand. “I’m Nancy Edwards.”

She seemed kind enough with wire glasses, slick topknot, and a bright orange dress that somehow looked perfect on her.

“Nice to meet you, Nancy.” I smiled, shaking her hand.

“And you,” she said in a singsong voice as she lowered her gaze. “Must be Luka. Aren’t you a dapper little boy?”

“Yes,” he mumbled shyly.

“Why don’t you go pick a seat you like?” She gestured toward some of the empty desks.

“Okay,” he muttered.

Lan and I crouched down to give him a big hug, whispering to him to have fun and be a good boy.

My heart was at my throat as his appearance drew in a few curious eyes as he shyly made his way to an empty desk near the window. He looked too small and skinny among his peers, which only made me worry more.

His fellow students did look friendly and nice, but one would never know. I just don’t ever want him to go through the shit I did in school.

“Please take good care of him,” I said to Nancy, not being able to keep the tremble out of my voice.

“Of course, parents always worry when they drop off their kids, but there’s nothing to worry about,” Nancy assured with a smile. “The kids here are the best. I can vouch for them.”

“Okay.”

“Did St. Mary’s send you Luka’s file?” Lan asked in a steady tone. “I just want you to be aware of his difficult past, just in case he needs something.”

“Of course, Mr. Greige. We do get some kids like Luka here,” Nancy said sadly. “We are well equipped for all their needs.”

Lan nodded. “Thank you.”

We gave one last wave to Luka who waved back smiling, just a tiny hint of trepidation on his face. And before I could step out of the classroom, I retraced my steps back to Nancy who frowned at my reappearance.

“Just… just.” My voice cracked. “Don’t make him eat alone at lunch.”

Her eyes softened as she nodded.

I could feel Lan staring holes into the side of my head as we made our way out of the school, but I didn’t speak a word the entire car ride till we reached our apartment.

And before I could run to the room and hide, Lan’s grip on my wrist stopped me.

“Why did you say that?” His piercing eyes questioned.

“Say what?”

“You know what.”

My throat dried. “Because… I used to eat alone, and I don’t want Luka to feel the same way I did.”

He inhaled sharply. “When?”

“Before…” I whispered, averting my eyes. “Before you came along.”

His eyes softened and before I could think, his lips closed on mine.

A surprised gasp spilled out of me at the feel of his familiar lips kissing me in the most sweetest possible way. It felt like someone was pouring warm liquid into my veins, deliciously blazing every inch of my body.

“What was that for?” I asked, licking the taste of him on my lips.

“Just because.” His dark eyes swept over me in a tender caress. “I’m going to be in the studio with the boys all day, working on the album. Why don’t you spend some time with the girls? I’ll meet you when we have to pick up Luka later.”

He pressed one more kiss on my nose before he walked away. Halfway through, he flashed me a smirk over his shoulder.

I blinked, watching him disappear out the door, still feeling the tingles of his kiss on my lips.

Are we back together, or are we not?

Does his kiss mean anything, or did it not?

Were his sweet, tender moments just to appease me, or did he genuinely want to console me?

I was going crazy trying to figure out this man.

But something about that smirk made me rethink these past few weeks with him.

Suddenly, it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Landon Greige was fucking playing with me.

He wasn’t sad, he wasn’t mad, and he certainly wasn’t waiting for me to change.

He just wanted me to be with him and was having fun watching me fumble like a fool trying to win him.

If he wanted to play, then so could I.

Bring it on, rogue boy.

Let’s see who will win.