Page 30 of Protective Love

"What would you like to know?"

"Well, what's it about?" he asks, his eyes flicking back up to meet mine. "What genre is it?"

"It's a romance… a dark romance to be specific," I tell him, rolling my lips inward as my cheeks begin to heat at what else he might ask.

"Sounds interesting," he murmurs before his tongue darts out of his mouth and swipes across his lower lip. "That's a book written by the Twisted Sisters, right?"

My eyes bulge, and my jaw drops as I stare at him in shock.

"How do you know that's their nickname? Better yet, how do you know this is a book by them?"

His lips spread wider and little crinkles appear beside his eyes as he chuckles softly.

"Have you read it?" I ask, eager for an answer because if he has read it, I think I might actually die right here from embarrassment.

"No, darling, I haven't read it," he says and I breathe a sigh of relief. "I do know what it's about, though, and I will say that it sounds like a very interesting and entertaining book to read."

I'm pretty sure my face is so red that it's glowing in the darkness of the room.

"The girls read it a few months ago, and because I'm always with them, I had to sit in the kitchen and listen to the three of them talk all about it for a solid three hours. At first, it was boring, but then I soon found myself sitting at the table with them because they started talking about Benji's twin getting out of the place they'd been holding him."

"Hey!" I chirp, lightly swatting his arm. "I haven't got that far yet."

"Oh shit, okay, I'm sorry. My lips are sealed from now on. What part are you up to?"

"They've only just locked Danny up," I tell him.

"Well, now I really do feel sorry for accidentally spoiling it for you."

"As long as you don't tell me anything else, I suppose I can forgive you," I tell him, chuckling at the way his face lights up.

A soft knock at the door makes us both jump, and I quickly close my book and stand from the chair as the door begins to open.

Chapter Sixteen

Jaylen

"What are you doing here? Thought you were too busy to give a shit about me at the moment?" I tease, seeing my sister sheepishly step into the room.

She lifts her head, staring at me with glossy eyes and a wobbly smile. "I was hoping we could talk."

My chest tightens as I stare at her evidently upset state, and I nod my head.

Jess' gaze flicks over to Rory, who's still standing by my bedside.

"I'll leave you two alone," she whispers, concern splashed across her face as she glances back and forth between me and my sister.

She starts to walk away, but I effortlessly reach out my hand and grab a hold of hers, pausing her movements.

"Are you going to let Leo take you home tonight?" I ask, worried that she's thinking about taking the bus again.

Her shoulders lift as she shrugs and she pulls her lower lip into her mouth.

"I know he seems like he's scary, and I won't lie to you, he is, but I know that he'll keep you safe and make sure that you get back home in one piece. Please let him take you home. It'll help me sleep easier knowingthat you're safe."

A slight blush appears on her cheeks and she nods her head.

"Okay, fine. I'll go with him."