Page 27 of Rook & Rebel

“Which one?”

“What are you drawing?”

“A girl,” she said, trying to avoid answering.

“Doing what?”

She turned it around, showing me the drawing on her tablet.

A girl stood facing a mirror, a rope of thorns wrapped around her with one over her mouth. The mirror showed another girl, this one perfectly beautiful, but a sinister smile on her face, with two little horns poking out of dark hair.

“It’s incredible,” I finally said, glad I could think of anything to say.

“It’s not, but I appreciate it either way.”

“Do you think I go around complimenting people on their art often?”

Her lips pressed together, the slight red hue to her cheeks making me stare at her now.

“No. I guess you wouldn’t,” she said, turning the tablet back around to glance at it. “I answered your question. Now, are you really just here to get to know me?”

I had too many things to do, but there wouldn’t be a good way to explain I was neglecting a lot of my work to stalk her so I could either kill her dad or ruin his life.

Or both.

My phone rang before I could respond.

“What?” I snapped.

“We need you back here,” Hero said.

“Why?”

“Trouble with a messenger.”

“Fine. I’ll be there in fifteen.” I clicked off, my eyes meeting hers again. “Well, you got your wish, Rebel. I have to go.”

Her eyes narrowed as she stared down at me. “Are you coming back tonight?”

“No.”

Her face fell the slightest amount, and I was surprised at how quickly she recovered. Would she really rather have me lurking around than be alone?

“Will I see you again soon at all?”

“No,” I said. It was a lie. I would be back another night and she would see me again, but the guilt itching its way into my brain made me tell her no. I would be using her, and she thought I came for her. I didn’t know when I started to feel anything like guilt or empathy, but I wasn’t okay with it.

I stalked back out to my bike I left hidden by the street. I had shit to do, and taking care of one lonely rich girl all night wasn’t going to be on the list.

Eleven

Regan

Ididn’t know what I was doing. What had I been thinking?

I held on tighter to Jake, my stomach churning at how stupid of an idea this had been. This felt nothing like riding with Rook. Rook had been a wild driver, but I hadn’t felt like I was about to fall off every second.

Jake, on the other hand, was currently making me wonder if jumping off the back of the bike would be safer.