Page 73 of The Devastation You Reap

By the time we finish our desserts almost two hours later, she's managed to drink over half the bottle and is more than a little tipsy.

"Are you ready to party?" I ask, leading her from the restaurant after paying our bill and promising Gianna that we'll come back soon.

"Yes. I've never been to a college party. I'm excited," she says animatedly. Her eyes are sparkling with excitement as she bounces on her feet beside me.

I open my car door for her, swallowing down my warning that the party we're heading to isn't your standard college party because I don't want to ruin her high.

I'm sure there are a million parties tonight that I could take her to if I wanted to introduce her into my life, to Luca, Peyton, Letty and all the others who I know will be more than interested to meet her.

But I can't. It's bad enough that they know she exists. The last thing I need is for them to fall in love with her and then be forced to watch as I rip her life to pieces.

The less they know about all that shit, the better.

Excitement tingles through my veins as I pull up in a space a little down the way from the house where tonight's party is already raging.

Thoughts of what might be happening inside, and Macie's reaction to it, makes my cock swell once more.

Getting her out of her comfort zone shouldn't get me going this much. It's wrong, I know it is but I can't stop myself.

"Out you go then, Red. It's time to party."

16

Macie

Ilook around as Leon leads me to the front door to the house where tonight's party is. It's a little more out of town than I was expecting, and it's certainly not a frat house.

A mixture of excitement and anticipation churns in my stomach as my head spins from the wine.

I knew I needed to stop, but the way he was looking at me as he dug into my family, talked about my uncle. I needed it. I needed the distraction or at least a way to numb the memories that he threatened to drag up from the depths I've buried them in.

Sure, people have asked about my family in the past but usually, they don't really care about the answer, let alone look at me the way Leon did, like he was invested in what I had to say and what my life was like before I started here.

No one needs to know the truth about my life. I spend most of my time wishing I didn't even know.

The bass of the music hits my ears long before we get to the front door which is already open, people spilling out with drinks in their hand.

My grip on Leon tightens as he leads me into the house, past all the people, and into the living area.

I try to school my reaction but I don't think I do a very good job as the scene before us emerges.

"What's that smell?" I shout when the unusual bitter scent hits my nose.

Leon chuckles beside me.

"Weed, Red."

"Oh."

I scan the room finding a group of dangerous-looking guys lounging on the couch with what I assume are joints in their hands while a group of three girls dance on the coffee table in the middle of them. Well, when I say dance, what I really mean is paw at each other as they grind their hips.

"What the hell?" I hiss, my eyes flicking at everything around us as my skin heats at the inappropriateness of it all.

"They're just letting go and having fun, Red." Leon pulls me into his body and turns me so the only thing I have to look at is him. "Just like you last night," he growls in my ear.

My cheeks burn as I remember rubbing myself up against him and just how good it felt.

I press myself against his body, resting my arms over his shoulders.