“Sad, lonely Reject. No one to love her, only people to loathe her.”
I spun on Theo. “Even if I was pathetic, my pathetic life is still a thousand times more wonderful than yours could ever be.”
He grinned. “If only you believed that.”
I took a step, until I could smell his fresh, minty breath. So close to kissing once more. “You’ll never be anything more than a dog. An abandoned puppy crying out for its mother.”
Suddenly his grin dropped, he pressed a finger to his ear, and his eyes narrowed on me. “Get behind me.”
“What? Fuck off.” I tried to brush by him, but he grabbed my elbow, his finger to his ear again.
“Get. Behind. Me.” He thrust me behind his body.
Then I saw a commotion near the gates. Someone had tried to break into the party. It wasn’t uncommon for that to happen. Usually there were a few attempted party crashers every year.
What was uncommon? Someone giving a shit about my safety.
Once there was a bomb threat on Crowne Hall, and all guards went to make sure my mom, Gray, and Gemma were taken care of. They forgot I was even there. Even my own guard at the time rushed to save Gemma.
Fear assaulted me. Could it be him? The guy who left the rose? I don’t know what he looks like.
It was an odd mix of emotions I felt. No one ever saved me. Ever.
I couldn’t help myself. I placed my hand on his arm, feeling the muscles cord beneath my touch. His back flexed beneath his tuxedo. I felt safe. I felt cared for. These weren’t feelings I was used to.
Dangerous.
Especially with the man who’d said he was going to destroy me.
So I shoved him off.
Theo ripped his hand away from his ear, all attention on me. “Why can’t you just fucking listen?”
“I don’t want you saving me. Stop saving me! Stop acting like you fucking care. You’re not a hero. You’re cruel and heartless.”
He ran a thumb along my jaw. “You’re right. I’m no hero.”
“So why do you keep saving me?” It came out a plea, a whisper, when I meant it to be fierce and angry.
He grabbed my jaw, dragging me close by his fierce grip. “Only I can hurt you, sweet girl. You’re mine to torment. Your tears are mine to free. Your heart is mine to break.”
Whatever commotion was happening at the gates faded away. My eyes dropped to his soft lips, and his grip on my chin softened.
I was certain he was going to kiss me.
I wanted it too. I could still remember his bruising kiss, the way he’d worshipped me just last night. I even angled my chin closer, my body a traitor.
Then early test fireworks popped, and we each came to our senses, separating.
THEO
There’s something Abigail isn’t telling me. I’d been picking up on it, but now I was certain. She’s jumpier, looking over her shoulder more. At first I thought it was because of me, but now I know.
Abigail Crowne is afraid.
There’s a lot Abigail doesn’t tell the world, truths she keeps hidden, but she isn’t someone to be afraid.
A few party crashers won’t scare Abigail, especially when they’d been rounded up and sent to jail.