Page 36 of Mask and the Magnolia

I shake my head without even thinking, the response involuntary even if it’s right.

“Can’t have what you want, so you shut down instead.” Korvin dips his chin, his breath fanning across my lips. “Can’t have us and your title, too, so you bottle it all up inside until you’re ready to burst.”

“Mhm,” I whimper as his lips ghost over mine, a feather light touch I try leaning into. I’m going to burstnowif he’s not careful.

Suddenly, he growls and turns away from me, Korvin lifting his hands to his hair in frustration. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t keep doing things like this.”

Instead of agreeing with him before listing how what he’s doing can be problematic then running out of this room, my father be damned, something comes over me and I blurt, “I don’t want you to stop.”

And the shithead responds with a dark chuckle followed by, “I know.”

“So, don’t.”

“I have to.”

“Not really.” What the hell has gotten into me? I was bad before but this is terrible, and I can’t help but think it’s partially because of Camden. Which isn’t right. It’s not fair to Korvin if I’m just looking to break my code of ethics so I can get back at my incredibly doomed future and those who orchestrated it. Despite what his file says or what people may think, he doesn’t deserve to be used like that.

“There is a time and place for everything, Reynolds, but here and now are not it.” He blows out a breath and watches me attempt to put myself together before reaching for the door.

Well that’s bullshit. Apparently I have spent too much time at the asylum because I am starting to feel crazy. Crazy and like I have less control than I thought.

That’s why I damn near pout and ask, “Then when?”

“In time. I’ve got to work it out first.” Korvin pulls the door open and steps aside for me to walk through and just before I get out into the common room he whispers, “But I will give you what you want, Dr. Reynolds, and when I do, your ass will always be mine.”

I stumble over nothing as I try to walk past Calix, the man leaning against a covered couch with a grin as he watches me. He probably heard all of that and honestly, I don’t care. So what if he did?

Then again… I don’t dare look back at either of them, not if I want to keep up appearances, which I sadly do, but I can feel their eyes on me and that’s enough to have me questioning everything.

I don’t know what just happened but I know I liked it, I want it to happen again, and if Korvin Severe doesn’t make good on what he said at least once before I’m locked away in Camden’s tower, I might quit the program and go on a spree of my own so I’m thrown in here with them permanently.

That wouldn’t be a problem for anyone.

EIGHT

WHAT THE THEY DON’T KNOW WON’T HURT THEM

CALIX

“Iknow where she lives.”

I turn away from watching Dr. Reynolds walk toward the office and face Calix with an arched brow as he leans against the doorframe. I don’t say anything, not yet, but only because I’m not sure where he’s going with this and I’m not looking to get myself in any more shit today.

The beta nods. “Yeah, I know where she lives. Know how to get there.”

“Okay.”

“Might even know a way out of here.”

My eyes widen in surprise as he tugs me into the closet and makes like we’re moving furniture around. “There isn’t a way out of here.”

Not one we could use.

It’s unlikely, anyway.

But Calix nods. “Part of why I’m up here with you. I kept getting out when I was on Ward B. Lit the Dean’s car on fire, burned down the Administrator’s personal cottage on campus. Even snuck into Hubbard’s old apartment and tried to get rid of the crotchety old bitch.”

“Is that so?” I grin as I pause to look at him.