Page 60 of Retribution

I end the call and look at Daisy’s messages. They’re all short and to the point. I frown at my phone. There’s something not quite right, but I’m not sure what. I open our private chat.

Miss you Tulip.

You too

What are you doing?

In bed. About to go to sleep.

I frown. It’s only about seven.

Not too early?

Tired. Maybe getting a virus.

Okay Tulip. Talk tomorrow.

Can’t. Phone dying.

Thought it was just charged…

Stephens not here. Only one maid can do it.

Love you.

My last message stays on unread and I stare at it for a minute before I put my phone back in my pocket, my heart heavy.

Sauvage’s guy is standing by the wall just staring. He smirks quite uncharacteristically. ‘Women, am I right?’

‘That easy to tell, huh?’

He nods.

I shrug.

I get back in the elevator for another awkward ride. I go back into the lab, where I spectacularly fail at yet another batch of Envy while this dude watches. The pills aren’t even fucking green! He can tell it’s not right.

When I throw my safety goggles down on the table, Sauvage’s guy looks as unimpressed with me as I feel about myself.

‘He told me if you failed again to let you know that you’re running out of time, big man.’

‘Yeah,’ I murmur. ‘Sounds about right.’

I turn off the lab lights and go back upstairs. The guy follows me through the lobby and out to the main doors, stopping at the threshold. He watches me as I walk to the curb in the light of the streetlamps and message one of the KIP freshmen to pick me up.

By the time my ride arrives, he’s not there anymore. I spend the car journey back to the KIP house running through all the reasons that the drug isn’t combining properly and just want to fall into bed as soon as I’m home.

I grab some mac and cheese that’s in the fridge and nuke it, eating quickly even though it’s not warmed all the way through. I don’t care.

I trudge up the stairs and into Daisy’s room, closing the door and getting into her bed.

Sleeping without her near is proving difficult and the only way I seem to be able to manage it is if I’m in her bed with her scent all around me. I fall asleep breathing in her pillow’s fragrance.

I sleep okay, and when I wake in the morning, it’s to an arm over my middle.

I open my eyes slowly, and find Blake staring into my eyes. I startle a little. His face is only about an inch and a half from mine.

‘Morning, gorgeous,’ he murmurs. ‘My how you’ve changed since we were last in this bed together. Your arms, so big. Your cheek, so coarse and hairy.’