“Totally,” Glyn agrees. “Kill doesn’t really like talking about any of his friends and would get pettily jealous, but I have ways of convincing him to arrange a meeting with Jeremy.”
I shake my head, half because the prospect of seeing that harsh look in his eyes terrifies the hell out of me. Half because I wouldn’t know what to say.
I doubt he’ll accept any form of an apology I have to offer. Besides, what’s the point when everything is said and done?
Maybe he can explain why I feel like I’m being watched sometimes. Though I don’t have proof, because I haven’t caught sight of him or Ilya since that day he crushed my feelings.
Or maybe I’m just hoping that he might still be watching me. That maybe, just maybe, he’s not done with me, after all.
But that’s wishful thinking.
“You’re just being negative,” Ava says. “If you want, I can totally dress you up and make you completely irresistible like that night at the club when you drove him crazy.”
“Really?” Glyn stares between us. “How come I know nothing about this?”
“Oh, it’s a very long story.” Ava goes into excruciating detail about the last night I had with Jeremy before everything shattered.
Sometimes I wonder if I can change things. Or maybe it’s better that I don’t.
This is probably the way out that Ilya told me about. I have no place in his life if I can’t understand him and his ways.
And this isn’t about the chasing, rough sex, and blood play. Those are things I shamelessly love.
It’s about him as a person and his lack of limitations.
It's not who he is, it’s what he is, and I can’t change that about him. I can’t strip him of what makes him Jeremy Volkov.
But I also don’t want to be like him either.
I once thought there could be some sort of middle ground, but maybe that was too naive of me.
My phone vibrates, and I wipe my eyes before I check it out. I’m guessing it’s Landon bugging me again, and I’m ready to ignore him. Again.
But the name on the screen catches me by surprise.
Creighton: I need your help with something.
He recently got back to school, and even though he looks fine on the outside, everyone can tell he hasn’t been the same since his permanent rift with Anni.
It’s so rare for him to text, let alone ask for help.
Cecily: If I can do it, sure.
Creighton: Help me meet with Annika in the States.
My fingers pause.
Cecily: Are you sure that’s a good idea? Her father, brother, and all their guards might kill you on sight.
Creighton: I need to talk to her, Cecily. Please.
This is the first time I’ve seen Creighton say please. He’s so silent and somewhat cold that it feels like he’s unable to show affection.
I mull over his request in my head. If it were any other time, I’d never entertain something so risky, both for his and my sake, but something’s changed.
I don’t want to be a coward or a liar. If I can make amends this way, then so be it. Besides, I really miss Annika.
So I type with confidence I haven’t felt in some time.
Cecily: I’m in.
Creigh lied to me.
He didn’t only want to talk to Annika. He meant to kidnap her all along.
And I helped him, though unknowingly.
I got her on a private plane and left so they could talk. I thought I needed to wait outside the plane for maybe half an hour—an hour max—before Creigh and I took that plane back home.
I thought wrong.
He totally stranded me in New York and left. Well, he did purchase me a ticket to go back to the island.
How very thoughtful.
For the past two days since he disappeared off the face of the earth, I’ve been on edge. Literally and figuratively.
Creigh told his friends and family that he’s going on a holiday, which is why everyone is cool about his absence. They think he needs time off after everything.
I’m the only one who knows the truth about his pseudo-criminal activities. That I helped him with.
Annika’s family must be searching all over the place for her whereabouts.
I contemplated telling them who she’s with instead of keeping them in the dark, but that would mean exposing myself and possibly getting myself killed by her dad or something.
So I needed to find a way to let them know without getting involved.
My solution was to type out a letter, put it in an envelope, and tell Glyn to slip it underneath Jeremy’s door. Because she thought it was a love letter, my friend was super excited, and promised to be discreet.
Annika is with Creighton. They’re safe.
That’s all I said since that’s all I know. But I hope that much can soothe her family’s worries.
Glyn said that Killian mentioned how weird Jeremy feels lately. He doesn’t spend as much time with the others, and when he does, it’s only so they can plot some anarchy against the Serpents or the Elites.
“It’s like he’s distracting himself by trying to stay busy,” she said.
Glyn and the others don’t know about Annika’s disappearance, so either Jeremy didn’t tell his closest circle or Killian kept the information to himself since he doesn’t like worrying his girlfriend.
My vote goes to the second option.
While stacking bags of pet food at the shelter, I try to think of other ways I can help Jeremy and his parents find Annika, but the chances of doing that without hurting Creighton are zero.
I groan, hitting my head against the metal shelf. What the hell have I done?
Even when I try to help, I accidentally mess it all up.
“Trouble in paradise?”
I lift my head at the very familiar suave voice.
Landon stands in the doorway of the storeroom, looking as fashionable as ever in his black button-down, slacks, and luxurious loafers. His hair is styled, accentuating his angular, handsome features.
He has a white-and-gold masquerade mask in hand. Considering his looks, one would think he’s going to a party, but it’s probably one of his club’s events where they’ll instigate mayhem.
I push one sack of pet food in place. “What are you doing here?”
He strolls inside with his eternal boredom and big cat energy. Lazy, silent, and up to no good.
“I’m wounded in my little heart. No hi, how are you?”
“I don’t think you came here for any his or how are yous. I’m surprised you even know this place exists.”
He leans against the shelf by my side, pouting dramatically. “You’ve become so cold, Cecy.”
I tilt my head to the side. “Doesn’t feel good to be treated the way you treat people, does it?”
“Aww, you still mad about that other time? That happened centuries ago in human years.”
“You might be able to hurt others and forget about it, but that’s not me, Lan.”
“They allowed themselves to be hurt. Who am I not to indulge them?”
“You’re impossible, and there’s no reasoning with you.” I release a sigh. “I honestly don’t know what I liked about you.”
A Cheshire cat grin lifts his lips. “Oh? Is this a confession?”
“No, this is me calling myself daft. I think I liked the idea of you, but when I got close, I realized you’re like your statues. Gorgeous on the outside.” I tap his chest twice. “Empty on the inside.”
“Did you say gorgeous?”