Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

Nova

“Nunu, are you sure you’re going to be okay on your own tonight?” I wince as I bend and retrieve my plate from the oven that my mom left me.

“Yes, Mom. You and Thomas just enjoy your night away. Nexus will be home in the morning.” I hope she can’t hear the loathing I feel toward that piece of shit in my tone. That fucker stood there against his car as three of the footballers beat my ass to a pulp until Vivian and Lenny showed up and saved me. I don’t know how I am going to explain the bruises that cover my body and face when she gets back tomorrow.

“Well, that’s the thing.” The hairs on the back of my neck raise. “Nexus won’t be coming back tomorrow.” The tension flees my body at her declaration. “Thomas has some important business meetings and he would like us to stay here for a week.” Hurt churns inside me, my mom is my rock and right now she is the only person I want but it’s not like I can let her see me this way. I want her to be happy and if I have to put up with this shit for a few more months before I can leave, then so be it.

“Then stay, Mom. I’ll be fine and Nexus and I can look after ourselves,” I say, trying to reassure her.

“Nexus will be joining us, Nunu. Thomas wants to introduce him to these men he’s meeting since he will be the one taking over for his father.” Relief and anger thrums through me—that little cockroach gets to spend a week with my mom while I’m stuck in this fucking hell hole! “I left the keys to the Jeep on the hanger for you, I don’t want you catching the bus anymore.”

“Mom, I don’t want Thomas spending that amount of money on me!” I abolish.

“I know but he insisted. He said he would feel better with you driving yourself around and not hitching rides.” I snort.

“Yeah, sure.” I sound bitter but I can’t find it within myself to care.

“Are you mad at me?” The air whooshes out of me.

“No, Mom, I could never be mad at you,” I mutter as I take the first bite of my beef casserole.

“I promise I will be back for Homecoming?—”

I cut her off before she can continue. “Don’t cut your trip short, I’m not going anyway.”

“Nunu, you have to go!”

“Mom, you know Waylen and I never attended any dances and I don’t plan to start now. Plus, he’s flying in, remember?”

“Oh my goodness! I totally forgot about that.” I roll my eyes. Mom and Thomas surprised me with this news last week. My new stepdaddy paid for my best friend's round trip ticket to join me next weekend. I sucked up my pride and thanked him for the gift.

“See, I won’t be alone, so stay and enjoy yourself.”

“Are you sure because I can come home?—”

“No, stay and have fun and plus, that gives me heaps of time with Waylen and you know I have missed him.” I spend another twenty minutes talking to my mom, it feels good talking to her. Since moving in with Thomas she and I haven’t had much of a chance to catch up or even hang out. When we say our goodbyes I clean up my plate and wince in pain. I take two of the pain pills Vivian left me and down them with a glass of water. Just as I am ready to leave the kitchen the power cuts out and I’m plunged into darkness. My breathing turns erratic for a minute until the power clicks back on. I sigh with relief and dash toward the front door to check it’s locked, I double check the back one as well just to put my mind at ease.

I head back toward the staircase at the front of the house and pause when I see an envelope sitting in the middle of the floor that wasn’t there a minute ago. Without overthinking it, I rush into the kitchen, grab the biggest knife I can find and return to the entryway. I dart my gaze around the area, keeping my wits about me as I crouch down and snag the envelope off the ground. I flip it over and frown at the sight of the T seal—like the one in my locker!

“Whoever you are, I am armed and dangerous!” I call out, waiting a few seconds and strain my hearing for any sound of someone being in the house, then look back to see the front door unlocked. I swallow in fear, whoever the fuck left this note behind must have snuck in when the power cut out, oh my God! I locked the doors which means I locked whoever it was inside with me. I quickly lock the door again and grit through the pain in my body as I take the stairs two at a time, rushing to my room. I slam the door closed, lock it and then shove a chair under the handle for good measure.

Sweat beads my brow and I swipe it away with the back of my hand, I turn on all the lights in my room, even my wardrobe and bathroom, checking every corner and under the bed just to make sure I am alone for real this time. I sent Waylen a quick text to tell him I will call him after my shower. I have avoided his calls all afternoon, knowing he is going to be asking questions when he sees my face and he is one person I can’t lie to. He can see through my bullshit without even trying. I wish I could rid myself of the feeling of being watched but I can’t, it feels like my skin is crawling and the only thing I can think to do is take a shower, wash away the day and pray that no more uninvited visitors make their presence known.

I feel somewhat better as I step out of the shower. I wrap my hair in a towel and wrap another around my body. I wipe the mirror to clear it of the steam and take a look at myself—my face looks like shit. The bruise on my cheek is more pronounced and the split on my lip looks better now but it still stings like a bitch when I move my mouth. I open my towel and inspect the bruises that mar my sides, I turn around and peer over my shoulder at the marks on my back and cringe. Not wanting to look further, I secure the towel around myself and step back into my room only to freeze at the sight of the blue-two horned masked guy standing in my bedroom like he owns the place.

“Seriously?” I shout, my anger overrides my fear and exhaustion at the sight of him. “I have had a shit fucking day and seeing you again after a week isn’t making it better. I don’t have a favor to ask and I don’t want to be in your debt, so please… just go.” I hate how defeated I sound but I’m way past caring what anyone in this fucking town thinks of me.

“A favor was granted.” My brows slam together at his declaration. I take the chance of seeing him in the light to really take in the carving of his mask. In the center of its forehead is a carving of a tree and a headstone on either side of it, a shiver runs down my spine at the sight. His hands are covered by gloves and the hoodie he wears covers the skin around his neck, exposing nothing. “A debt is not owed for that favor.”

I jerk back and shake my head to clear my thoughts. “What?”

He comes toward me slowly as if he is giving me the chance to flee should I wish to. I want to scoff at the thought. I have all the lights on in here and the door locked but it didn’t stop him from coming in from the balcony. He keeps a sliver of space between us when he stops, my breaths turn shallow at his proximity.

I’m sick!

That is the only thing that can describe the reaction I am having to him, he has done nothing but taunt me and scare me out of my mind and yet here I am practically panting and wanting him to touch me. I’ve heard of women wanting a masked man to chase them through the woods just so they could be fucked against a tree like some dark romance book, but I never thought I would be one of those wanton bitches. Yet here I stand, wanting this masked devil to touch me and make me feel alive.

He reaches out and unfurls the knot in my towel, I don’t stop him or even try to shield my body from his gaze as it drops to the floor. I cock my head to the side studying those blue eyes—they feel familiar yet not. I feel my body beginning to heat as he runs his gaze over me but when he grabs my waist I gasp until he turns me so he can take in the sight of my back. It’s then I realize he isn’t trying to check me out or fuck me but just wanting to check out the damage Leo, James and Ezra did under Nexus’ order. Apparently Vox didn’t like me telling him off and instructed my stepbrother to make sure I received my punishment, gutless fuck he is. He couldn’t be caught because he would be kicked off the team if his coach found out.

He uses his grip on my waist to slowly turn me back to face him. A chill runs through me when I meet his gaze and see lust swirling in the depths of those blue eyes. I swallow audibly in anticipation.

“No debt is owed.” His voice pulls me from my thoughts.

“What debt?” I rasp out.

“No more injuries will befall you, it has been taken care of.” I dart my gaze between his trying to decipher his meaning. It takes a minute before it sinks in.

“Did you hurt Vox and his friends?” I snap as I press into him, clutching the front of his black shirt—I may hate the bastard and his goonies but that doesn’t mean I want them hurt! His eyes narrow in suspicion and turn intense as he stares down at me.

“Is that the favor you ask?”

I shake my head. “No. I told you I don’t want a favor and I don’t want you to hurt Vox.” I may not be able to see his face but I get the sense he is smiling at me. I steer the subject back to neutral ground not wanting to think about my fucked up situation with Vox. “You hurt somebody though… didn’t you?” I keep my gaze on his, searching for any sight of deceit.

“Those who harmed you will no longer exist in your orbit.” My features slacken as I grasp what he is saying.

“You hurt Leo, James and Ezra.” It’s not a question, just a statement. He doesn’t justify me with an answer, he just stands there staring at me. “Why would you do that for me?”

“If an answer is what you seek, you will not be rewarded with an answer until a favor is asked.”

I release my hold on him and step back but he doesn’t allow me to move further, gripping the back of my neck to halt my movements. His hold isn’t punishing or bruising but it’s enough to keep me where he wants me, the material of his gloves scraping against my skin. I just stand here with my arms at my sides, naked and waiting like a wanton woman from one of those books that my mom reads. He takes a single step forward until his chest is flush against me, the heat from his body seeping into me. I swallow and suddenly feel like I have been zapped by an electrical socket with how wired I am. He uses his free hand to trail a finger from my throat to the center of my chest. I shiver in anticipation.

He continues his trail down my body, causing gooseflesh to erupt over my skin. My breathing turns ragged when he shifts slightly so he can watch as his finger slips through my folds, a gasp escaping me when he brushes against my clit. He uses that finger to circle my entrance—I can’t find it within myself to feel shame at the wetness gathered there. Maybe he was right the other night when he said I get off on fear.

“All of this for me?” Even with that voice distorter I can hear the growl of approval when he brings his finger back to my clit and begins to circle it, forcing a moan past my lips. “An answer is owed,” he snaps, then pushes that finger inside my pussy.

“Oh fuck!” I cry out at the feeling. I hear my phone ringing in the background but make no move to stop whatever this is to answer it.

“Answer!” he says loudly as his pace begins to pick up when he slides another finger inside me, scratching me to the point of feeling a slight burn but the pain mixed with the pleasure is oh so alluring and has me craving more. I grip his arms, needing the support to remain upright.

“Yes, it's for you!” Saying that aloud does make me feel ashamed. I turn my head to the side not wanting to meet his gaze.

“Good girl, you will be forever filthy after this night.” I turn to face him and see nothing but approval in his blue eyes. A cry tears from me when he presses the pad of his thumb against my clit while still stroking that G-spot inside my greedy little cunt. My nails dig into his arms but he doesn’t make a sound.

“Holy fuck.”

“There is nothing Holy about this moment,” he scolds. I press onto my tiptoes as I feel my orgasm cresting, while slamming my eyes closed, needing this release more than my next breath. I welcome the feeling and wait for it but the motherfucker pulls his fingers free. I snap my eyes open and stare up at him in shock with my mouth slightly ajar. “Remain on edge and you will be rewarded.”

“Are you fucking serious?” I scream.

“Obey the command and tomorrow night you will be rewarded with the real thing.” He doesn’t wait for a reply as he heads toward the balcony, grips the railing and then leaps over the edge. I stare at the open doorway for a solid minute before I snap out of it, my anger rising. I don’t bother closing the fucking doors because clearly there is no point, he will just find another way in. I flop on my bed and debate defying him but then I begin to wonder if he meant what he said. If I’m a good girl, he’ll give me the real thing. Do I want him to fuck me?

Yes, yes, I fucking do and I know I will be dining with Lucifer when my time comes for the sin I am about to commit.