Page 100 of Pick Six

“I miss you too. So many fucking things I miss about you. You make me feel so much I didn’t think I could. I love you and being away from you is killing me.”

My heart stops in my chest.

“What did you just say?”

“You heard me.”

“We barely had a fake relationship. Alex, you can’t possibly—”

He smirks and shakes his head.

“Can’t possibly love you? Saint, I’ve been in love with you. Fuck, I think I might have loved you since you talked about comets and pilgrimages. Since you tasted like grapefruit and fucking tequila and kissed me like your life depended on it. Or maybe when I thought about breaking you out of your wedding so I could have you for myself. When I started wearing this medallion like a fucking collar. Even though it tortured me to see you with him every time… I’ve definitely loved you since you told me I was yours.”

I stare at him dumbfounded, and he kisses my lips softly.

“I need you. You’re my path, Saint. My pilgrimage. The one who keeps me grounded. The one that takes me back to you and puts me on my knees every night hoping that I finally get to have you for good.”

“But you… I can’t…” I stumble over my words, trying to process it because I can’t believe it.

“You don’t have to love me back—yet. But I promise, you will. Because as soon as we fix this, I’m spending every fucking minute making sure you never have to worry again. That I earn everything you give me.”

“I love you, Alex. I just didn’t think you’d love me back.”

“Of course, I fucking love you. I’m yours.” He smiles at me.

Then his phone dings from the dresser, once, twice. It’s enough that I can imagine it’s Tobias telling us we’re in danger.

“Fuck,” he mutters. He makes quick work of the condom and putting his clothes together while I straighten my skirt. He picks up his phone, his eyes flicking over the screen.

“Tobias is stalling him, but I’ve got to go.”

“Okay.” I nod.

“I know Ben’s been passing the word along but my father’s taking care of it. I’m just waiting on the final say. I’ll let you know the second I do.”

“The girls and I are figuring out a plan tonight or tomorrow. I guess Violet and Joss have ideas already.”

He smiles, “It’ll work out, Saint. We’ll fix it.”

I give him a bright smile in return, and he looks at me one last time. Like he’s reluctant to leave. Then he suddenly reaches around his neck, grabbing his chain and crosses the room to put it over my neck.

I run my fingers over the metal and look up at him confused.

“Wear it until we’re back together. You need the protection more than me right now.” He kisses me one last time and then disappears out the door.

I lock it behind him, putting my panties back on and smoothing out my skirt again, doing my best to make sure I look the same leaving as I did coming in. I glance down at the chain, tucking it under my shirt and praying it doesn’t show anywhere. A text pops up on my phone.

DREW

Where are you?

Just charging my phone. Going to use the restroom and then I’ll be right there.

K.

I can tell from the question he’s suspicious. I’m torn too, because half of me hopes he drops the idea and the other half of me hopes he knows I was with Alex. I will be, the second I fix the mess he’s made.

FIFTY