Chapter 37

Thirty-Seven

Regan

I never heard Rook's bike start after he disappeared. I didn't know why he finally gave in and left, but he seemed more angry than upset when the door slammed behind him.

I walked over to my mirror, the one I had been standing in front of just a few hours ago, intent on proving to myself I was strong enough to hold my head up and go. I had wanted to prove to myself first that I could handle being torn down and still come out the other side.

But all I had shown myself was that I was now a murderer.

I couldn't stand watching something happen to Rook, and I had made my choice. For one moment, I was okay with it. I had ridden back here with him with some silly thought he might care about me and I cared about him.

He proved me wrong so quickly that I couldn't even comprehend what had happened between us.

He thought my dad to be such a monster that he had killed his family, but was somehow still in love with me?

I unzipped my dress, ready to throw it out. I had spent too much time with Rook and had to remind myself that none of this was normal. I should be with a guy who doesn't kill people, or stalk them, or manipulate them. I wanted to call Harper, but I didn't even know where to start.

Instead, I showered fast and got into bed, staring up at the ceiling for what felt like hours. Rook's bike still hadn't made a sound, and I wondered if he would stand outside my window all night or just sitting on his bike. Not that it mattered.

I didn't want to want him here. I didn't want to feel safer with him here, especially if someone really was trying to kill me.

I flipped onto my side, the blankets wrapping around me like a straightjacket. Could there really be someone out there willing to pay for me to be killed? Or Rook?

I mean, I guessed someone wanting Rook dead would make sense with the type of people he worked with, but why would they add me to the list?

And how did they know he was with someone now? It isn't like I went everywhere with him enough for people to see me with him enough. And it's not like Rook would be telling anyone outside of his friend group that we were together.

Had been together, I reminded myself.

I flipped again. He said he had proof, but he didn't show it to me, and I hadn't asked. It had been too overwhelming to see any proof of someone wanting me killed, let alone Rook trying to convince me of it being my dad who made the request.

I kicked off the sheets and got up, wrapping one of my throw blankets around me and putting on a pair of boots before stomping downstairs and out the front door, into the cold night air.

Winter here was never terrible, but the night temperatures easily dropped into the thirties, making it feel freezing after being warm in bed.

I shivered, the little blanket not doing enough to protect me from the cold. I knew where Rook would have his bike parked and headed in that direction. The night sky was nearly black, clouds covering any sliver of the moon. I shivered again, this time out of fear of the things in lurking in the dark.

As soon as I made it closer, I yelled out. "Rook, I know you're out here, and you have me all freaked that someone is going to kill me, so please come out of hiding until I get to your bike," I said into the darkness.

It took less than three seconds before Rook stepped out from behind the trees and headed my way. His eyes roamed over me as he shook his head, already pulling off his leather jacket.

"What are you doing out here?" he asked, sliding the jacket over my shoulders. I didn't fight him, the warmth wrapping around me as I pulled it closed.

"I came to see what proof you have."

"About which part?"

"Someone trying to kill me."

He nodded, not even fighting me more as he pulled out his phone, clicking through it before handing it over.

I read through the text messages, the number having no name attached to it. The first one was information, a list of the prices that were being offered for each of us, and the second was the reminder that I was worth more if I was killed first. My stomach churned as I read it. No one really wanted to confirm that there's someone who hated you so badly, they would pay to have you dead.

"That doesn't mean much to me when I don't know who sent it."

"Then call the number."

"No way. I don't know who it is."

"Asher. One of the most powerful men in the city, and a friend of ours." The name sounded familiar, but I couldn't place from where.

"What if it's just Mason, or Aiden, or Hero pretending to be someone else?"

"Call him. You will know it's not any of them."

"Won't he be sleeping?"

"Maybe. I don't know," Rook said. He seemed sad now, the quiet demeanor nothing like the one he had earlier.

"I'm not calling some rich, powerful asshole in the middle of the night to ask."

"Then I'm not sure what else you want me to say to prove it right now. You aren't believing my words."

"Why would I? You've been lying to me the entire time I've known you!" I yelled, my words echoing into the night.

He looked around, but he didn't shush me.

"How am I the bad guy here when you have been mad at your dad already? You know he's an asshole to you. You know that he thinks you aren't worth shit when he's giving his business to an idiot like Elliot before you. When he doesn't even tell you he's getting married? Have you even questioned why he's getting married when he's apparently so fucking sick, he can't even care to help you after you gave up everything for him? He can take on a wife and brand new son, but he's too sick to make sure you are okay?" He stepped closer, glaring down at me. "Stop only questioning me, Regan. Start questioning him and then decide who wants you safe." He reached up, running a hand down my jaw, and I hated that I didn't fight him on it. "I am glad you are questioning me, and I will give you any proof you want that I have, but don't only ask me these questions."

I couldn't take any more. From the way his hair fell over his forehead, to the way he looked at me, even to the smell of his jacket wrapped around me. I couldn't be near him and not want to give in. I shrugged off the jacket, making him take it before I spun, heading back inside without a word.

Maybe I needed to ask my dad questions, and maybe I needed to ask Rook a few more, but for now, I needed to be alone.

Rook hadn't been around all day.

I had paced my room, cried, and tried to get ahold of Harper, but she was apparently busy because I hadn't heard a word from her yet. Night fell, and I tried to not get myself more scared than I already was. I checked the lock on the window first, securing it closed before locking my bedroom door. I didn't know what a flimsy lock on a wooden door would do to keep Rook, or anyone else, out if they truly wanted to get inside, but it at least made me feel like I was attempting to keep people out.

But I shouldn't be surprised it wouldn't stop Rook.

He walked into the room like I didn't even have a door, let alone a locked one.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, already glaring at him.

"Came to see if your dad is home, but his side of the house is pretty quiet."

"Because he isn't here."

"How sad. I was hoping to get this entire thing done tonight so we could move on with our lives."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, barely wanting to know the answer.

"It means I came over to see about killing your dad tonight and forcing him to tell you the truth. Now we have to wait."

"You know, I've said it before, but you are a monster, Rook."

"No, I just don't want to spend another night away from you, and he's in the way of that. And you can't act like you aren't one now, too."

"I did what I had to because I didn't want you dead. It's not like I liked it," I said.

"Then what aren't you understanding? I will do what I have to do to keep you safe," he said, taking a tentative step towards me.

"And that includes killing my father?"

"Maybe. If he is trying to kill you, then yes. You are mine, and I will protect what is mine. That's my job."

"You think your job is protecting me now?"

"No, I know it is. You can hate me, Rebel. I will still give you every fucking thing you want."

"I want you out," I said, my breath hitching as he leaned down, his lips pressing once to my neck.

"Are you sure?"

Every hair on my body stood, the shiver that ran through me making me shudder as his fingers trailed up my hips and sides. The light touch made me want to give in. He brushed up my neck before his hands wrapped into my hair and tightened until he pulled my head back, forcing me to look at his face.

"Yes," I said, my body betraying me as it sank against him a little more.

"I didn't know, Regan. I didn't know that you were smart and strong. I didn't know you were so desperate for more in life. I didn't know you wanted to rule the world, or understand my life, or kill for me." He grinned at the last part. My stomach flipped, and I pushed against him hard. He kept his grip on my hair, but he stepped back. "Come on. I know you are more pissed off than a simple push. You want to claw my eyes out, you want to hurt me, so do it."

"No. I'm not a monster like you are."

He laughed, pulling me back against him. "Yes, you are. There's no fucking halo on your head anymore, Regan. You're a killer. You can punish me how you see fit, but you can't hide what you are now. Not from me, at least."

His words pushed me over the edge, anger making me blind to what I should do and letting what I wanted to do take over. I had crossed lines I never thought I would, all for him. All to keep him safe, and now he threw it in my face. In a sudden surge of anger and desire, I twisted in his grasp, pushing him hard until he stumbled back and fell into the chair we had been in when he told me that my entire life was a lie.

I stepped in front of him. His eyes dragged up my body until they met mine. The lust and desire in them made my body tighten. I hated his blue eyes, and the way I liked the tattoos running up his neck and down his arms. I hated him for what he would say to me. He kept poking and prodding me, making me want more of his life.

I stepped closer, my hand coming back. I almost surprised myself when my palm connected with his cheek, the stinging sound of skin on skin making me wince.

His eyes went heavy, and he leaned forward as he reached out. His hand fisted in my tank top before he ripped it back. Fabric tore as the straps broke.

My chest heaved as he pulled it more, leaving my breasts exposed.

His eyes locked on mine for one beat of my heart before he stood. His hands slid around my thighs until his arms locked around me, lifting me up as he kept moving. My back slammed against the wall, the sharp pain making me hiss before I leaned down, biting into his neck hard.

He moaned, gripping me hard. The sound made me burn hotter, my thighs clenching at the sudden wave of heat that came over me. He shifted me and I grabbed on, my nails digging hard into his back as he arched.

His mouth found mine, his tongue taking over like he owned it, and I was starting to worry that he did. I wasn't fighting this. I was taking it.

Not only was I taking what he offered, but I was demanding more. I slid my hand between us, pushing my way into his jeans until I found his cock, already hard and ready for me. My thighs tightened around him. The need to sink onto him was getting overwhelming.

His eyes staring down at me didn't help my resolve. If I actually had any resolve left. It wasn't anger in them, or even a hint of that deadly glint that always made me a little nervous. They were soft.

He was looking at me with that sweet gaze any girl would dream about from a man like him. A man who probably never gave that look to anyone.

My heart stopped, and I pushed back, scrambling to duck under his arm as I realized I once again was giving in.

"Leave, Rook."

He didn't say a word, but he his eyes roamed my face. No anger flashed, no scowl came, he just gave me one sharp nod.

"I won't be far," he said, the deep rumble of his voice making my legs weak.

"Please go home. I don't need you close."

"There is not a fucking chance I'm getting out of sight from this house. Whether you believe it or not, people are trying to kill you, and I won't let them."

"Out, Rook." The door slammed behind him, and I slumped onto my bed. Shadows danced outside the window as I pulled a blanket tight around me. Now I had to sit here all night, worrying that Rook might not be the only one out there.