Chapter 15 The Marriage Plan.
GRAYSON:
It's barely one a.m. in the morning and I am fucking ticked off. And the instant Ginny walks me out of her room and into the adjoining corridor, I know who my rage is going to next.
I walk fast, rounding the hallway, footsteps heavy on the ceramic. I don't knock—I barge in, activating the power and dragging my fiancée right out of bed.
She follows me more out of shock and panic than any real thought. “Grayson wha…”
Her back meets the wall with a thud, and my hand goes over her mouth, cutting her off.
“What did you tell her?” I ask, nerves trembling with fury. “What the hell did you threaten my stepsister with?”
“I don't understand… what are you talking about?”
“Don't act dumb with me. What thoughts did you plant in Ginger's head while you were downstairs grabbing your phone?”
“Nothing she didn't already know,” she says, refusing to divulge anymore. “Why are you so worked up about what she thinks?”
Because I'm not just concerned with her thoughts.
I'm haunted.
Consumed.
Fascinated by her. By everything she represents.
But I don't say that. I won't. She wouldn't understand anyway. No one does.
Katelyn moves forward, eyes calculating. “Also… now that I think about it… You weren't in when I checked a few minutes ago. Neither were you out at a party or whatever. I know that because your phone was lying on your bed undisturbed. Were you just coming from her room?”
“That's none of your business.”
“You were, weren't you?”
Her voice is infuriating.
“Stop being nosy, Katie,” I say. “It's an unattractive quality to have.”
“But it's okay when you do it?” she scoffs. “I might not know what's going on with you two, but I will not stand for it. Not while I'm here.”
“That's why there's always the option to leave.”
“Not when I know you need me,” she counters. “That's the only way your father can protect and strengthen this pack isn't it?”
I cross my arms before I punch a hole in the wall. “What's your point?”
“I'm saying I'm willing to partner with you on this. This marriage plan.”
“Which is…?”
“We convince your father we're the perfect couple and have conceded with his wishes, therefore fast tracking the whole process. The treaty is signed and our packs are joined, but before we can actually get married, we warm our parents to the idea of building a strong relationship first. Maintaining the accord long enough to break things off cleanly.”
My shoulders tense. That's… actually smart. Maybe there is a brain in there somewhere.
If our parents become true friends along the line, there would be no real need for a marriage. Their friendship alone would do the work, keeping them allies for as long as is needed. Darkwater benefits, Roman ensures his stupid protection from the rogues, and the Xenics only get stronger. It's a win-win.
But Katelyn wouldn't bring this up without profiting off it in some way. Would she?
“What's in it for you?” I ask, watching for a change in her facial expression. Even a micro one to tell me what she's thinking.
“I get the nicer Grayson back,” she answers. “The one I met during my first trip here, who didn't treat me like a stranger.”
Nothing gives off the vibe she's lying. Either she's a really good liar, or I'm more tired than I realize. Regardless, I can manage that.
So far it's just for the time being and then I get to have Ginny again.
“Deal.”
I sleep worse than dogshit because my night's divided into three parts. Two thirds majorly comprising me studying the ceiling and listening for the constant creak of the floorboards somewhere in the attic as the house settles.
The only time I do get a shut eye, it ends in a literal nightmare, just like it does every single time she isn't next to me.
First is the digging, as always. Continuous. Demanding. Dust rising in the still night, under the moonlight.
Then… His voice. Rough. Violent. Cruel. Exactly as I remember it. “Hurry up, we don't have all day.”
Something heavy is dropped into the massive hole, but before they can cover it, a sound scares them away. Driven by fear, I—in the body of my younger self—start heading towards the unmarked and uncovered grave.
But just as I get to its edge…
Monstrous claws of darkness grab me.
“Shit!” I bolt upright, absolutely soaked in sweat despite the air-conditioning.
My pulse is mayhem. Fingers still trembling from the ordeal. And there's that maddening headache.
I move about the room, only half-aware of the sunlight streaking in as I walk towards the bathroom for some Xanax. Another day of this hell.
Bathing and getting dressed is a quick affair. I lift my phone off the side table, eyes lingering on the folded but cracked chestpad resting on my bed, untouched. I'm making a mental note to buy a new one, leaving the room, when my gaze lands on her. The girl standing in the hallway across from me.
She's loosening out the fritz in her beautiful red hair, one bag strap slung over her shoulder as she turns her key in the lock. I shut my own door then, the sudden bang making her visibly flinch and turn her eyes to meet mine.
My mouth dries at the sight of her. And for a moment, we just stare at each other, spellbound.
There are faint circles around her eyelids—subtle dark rings she tried to hide with make up but I spot them anyway. It should make me a little bit lighter knowing she got just about as much sleep as I did, but all I can think of is how that somehow manages to look even hotter to me.
Her white shirt’s out, hanging dangerously close to the hem of her skirt—which in turn is high enough to keep me picturing how much better it would look when I inevitably bunch it up her waist. Because I will. Even if it means railing her over the dining table at dinner or against the lockers in the school passage.
Her cheeks flush red as if she hears my thoughts, and she blinks, breaking contact first. The clink of her keys in her bag are the last thing I hear before she vanishes down the stairs, leaving me standing there alone.
I don't see her at the table. Katelyn's already seated, picking at her food while father's locked in conversation with Gwendolyn. But no Ginger.
“Babe!” Katelyn beckons, her voice overly sweet. “Come sit with me.”
Babe? I glance back, sure I misheard, but there's no one behind me.
“I'm talking to you, silly.” She rises from her seat, guiding me into the chair beside her, right next to my father and his fiancée who are silent now, watching us.
Katelyn leans in, close enough to make it seem like we're whispering sweet nothings.
“Stop fighting me and go with this,” she hisses. “Don't forget we have a deal.”
There's a ghost of a smile on Gwenivere’s lips as she stares between us. And Roman?
He fucking looks pleased.