Page 69 of Raine

“Oh, ok then. They’re in the library.”

I move in that direction but I stop before I get to the hallway, my gaze going back to find Angelite still watching me.

“How have they been?”

She sighs and tightens her ponytail. “They’re getting there. The girls are leaving the room more often — actually, more so since your visit. But they stay together, rarely leaving each other’s side.

I nod. Fair assessment and judgment on the girls’ part, I believe. “Good. I won’t be long.”

I don’t wait for her to answer; instead, I keep on trekking until I reach the library, softly knocking on the door before opening it.

The door is barely ajar when my phone starts screaming in my pocket. Removing my hand from the handle, I pull my phone out of my pocket and frown when I see Justyce’s number.

Sliding the icon across, I answer. “Justyce?”

“What the hell are you doing there?”

My eyes flick to the hallway where I’d just walked down, and I scowl.Fucking Angelite, the snitch.

“I’m dropping off some things to the girls, and then I’m heading out for a bit.”

“Don’t stay long, Raine; Arrow is on his way to drop off supplies, and after the last couple hours, I don’t want any more shit, especially around those fucking girls.”

His name brings a sharp pain to my chest and I swallow the saliva forming in my mouth. At least Justyce didn’t question me about my heading out.

“How long until he’s here?”

“Probably twenty minutes tops.”

I sigh in defeat, hating that I’m going to have to cut this visit real short. “Fine,” I growl, taking a leaf out of his book and hanging up.

My phone starts ringing automatically and I glance down and see Justyce’s name again. I silence it, smiling and walk into the room.

Books line the walls on deep mahogany shelves, and there is a heap of downlights producing enough light to read any time of the day or night. Stepping further into the room, I find the girls sitting on a fluffy mat with couches around them and a small table with a teapot and four cups. They’re huddled close together and reading. Finally hearing my arrival, their heads snap up, so I hold up the bags, and their faces morph into relief, and huge smiles fill their faces.

“Raine, you came back,” Jelitza remarks, and I focus my attention on her, offering her a warm smile.

“Of course I did, as I promised. Now get your pretty butts over here; I’ve got some gifts for you all.”

They all scamper up and rush toward me and I offer them a bag each. Their cooing voices and smiles thaw some of the ice inside me, and I soak in the moment, knowing I’ll have to leave soon.

I wait another five or so minutes, and then I clear my throat. The four of them look up at me with mixed expressions on their faces and random items like makeup, clothes, and hair products in their hands.

“I have to go, ladies. I wanted to stay longer, but I’ve been called away.” I lie easily, finding it easier to deny the truth than admit the fuck that I am.

Their faces fall, but they nod in acceptance.

“I’ll be back, I promise.”

Lady’s big green eyes look up at me, her blonde hair hanging loosely down her back as she wrings her hands at the front of her. “You’ll really be back?”

Making a cross over my heart, I answer, “Of course I will, and I promise we can watch a movie or talk if you’d all like.”

That seems to placate them as they surprise me and draw me in for a group hug, whispering thanks and making me fight back tears.

I exit the way I came, sending Angelite daggers and mutteringsnitchas I leave. Pulling out of the drive, my eyes find the rearview mirror, and my heart starts beating unevenly when I spot Arrow’s car pulling in.

He looks my way, his face falling slightly before he places the mask back on. A tear slips down my face, and I hit the accelerator, causing the tires to spin and the smell of rubber to fill my nostrils.