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Kameron

You can’t stay the night.

Not yet, you lovestruck idiot.

Get it together.

I know I have to leave but it doesn’t make it any easier. I want to keep her in my arms. I want her to fall asleep next to me again. I want to stay and keep her safe and show her that I can.

But the mission isn’t over. I don’t get to stay.

I have my car running as I lean against the driver's side door, holding Elliott a few moments longer.

After dinner, Marcus stomped to his room, of course, and Hunter had to take a call from his assistant.

All of which gave me a little more alone time with Elliott before I had to go back to the cesspool that was Everton .

“You gonna miss me?” I tease as I kiss the top of her head. Her arms are wrapped around my waist as she lays her chest against me.

She pulls away, giving me a sour expression, “I already do and you know that.” I giggle as she slaps my chest, “You just like hearing it. That ego of yours always needs to be fed now, doesn’t it?” I hear a slight slur in her words, probably from the scotch.

Fuck, she is adorable tipsy.

“My ego’s always starving for you to stroke it.

” I wag my brows at her, she tries to hide the grin that curves at the corner of her lips but I see it.

I love seeing her smile, the carefree side of her peeking through the hard exterior she’s been building around herself.

I love being the person she feels comfortable around enough to be herself.

“Kam.” Hunter’s voice interjects from behind me.

I watch Elliott's eyes look around me to Hunter. Her pupils dilate and I take note of the reaction. Just as I take it all in, she looks back at me, but not directly.

Does my girl have eyes for Hunter?

God, the thought does things to me, things she would not understand right now.

I know she doesn’t completely know the past and present of Hunter, Marcus, and I.

And I want to tell her everything, have her understand us , but that would have to wait.

I turn towards Hunter standing on the front porch.

His eyes are still on Elliott but snap to mine with a fire in them I know all too well .

Oh , he likes my girl for sure.

Could I make him want her to be our girl?

Would Elliott want that?

“Yes?” I give him a knowing smile.

He clears his throat, “Ahem–be safe. Now that Marcus hacked into their systems, it might change over there. Just...” He straightens up, “Just keep your eyes and ears open. I need you to come back safely.”

“Don’t I always?”

He gives me a sharp nod of his head, casting one last look at Elliott before walking back into the house.

“I agree with him, you know?” Elliott pushed my shoulder. “I’m serious. Samuel would kill you if he found out you were the one to help me or that you were faking your commitment to the…”

“For him to kill me would mean I didn’t get to kill him first. That’s not an option.” My mind flips through the images of the cleansing ceremony and the look in her eyes when I found her in the bathtub afterwards.

I would kill Samuel Donovan. Mark my words, I would make sure he never got to breathe the same air as Elliott.

“Kameron.” Her eyes plead with me to listen, even through the glaze from the scotch.

“I will be safe.” I cup her cheeks, “Just for you and the big guy in there.” I tilt my head to the house.

“Can you do something for me?” She scrunches her brows at me, “It’s nothing bad.

Calm down, gorgeous.” I chuckle at her. “I want you to make sure these two–” I jab my thumb back towards the house, “--don’t get too lonely?

” She looks at me with a confused and hesitant expression on her face.

“They tend to butt heads and self-isolate when stressed, just keep them company.” I smile at her, kissing her forehead.

“Okay.” She sighs in agreement.

“I have to go, unfortunately.” I say as I wrap her in my arms again, picking her up and carrying her to the front door.

“Kameron! I can walk.”

“I’m aware. I just like holding you.” I open the door and step into her, forcing her to take a step back into the house. I spot Hunter just down the hall and give him a look to make sure she’s okay in my absence. He gives a nod in silent understanding.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I kiss her lips quickly, afraid that if I prolong this any more, I won’t follow my own rules and leave.

But as fast as I pull away, she grabs my face, slamming her lips onto mine and kissing me deeper. She lets go, taking a step away from me, “Bye.” She whispers and my heart cracks along with her voice.

“Never, bye. Just see you soon.” I kiss the tip of her nose.

“Okay then, I’ll see you soon.” she replies.

I give her a wink and force my legs to move towards the door, closing it behind me even when my mind screams to go back inside.

This girl had me wrapped around her beautiful finger .

I hop into the driver's seat and take off down the paved driveway, hauling ass the minute my tires hit the main road.

I was already counting down the seconds until I could see Elliott again. To see my girl.