Lila. Eventually you’ll have enough information to decide whose side you’re on.”
“What if I don’t choose sides?” I folded my arms over my chest.
“They might kill you, so you can’t choose us. The bigger our army, the smaller theirs is in comparison.”
“Army?”
He shrugged. “We’re in a battle, good against evil. It’s not fun and games, Tessa, though I wish it were.”
The more I learned, the more complicated it became. I wouldn’t be able to stand by and allow Mr. Linton and Fawn to guide me. “When do you propose these meetings take place?”
“I could text you, so you know when to expect me. I might bring someone, if that’s okay.”
If he’d meant harm, he would’ve brought the extra person without asking. Or he would have already hurt me. I handed him my phone. “I guess so. Put your number in there. I’m working tomorrow night, but we can meet after. Around ten-thirty?”
“See you then.” He returned my phone. “They’re watching the front door. I’ll go out the window where I can hide in the shadows.”
* * * *
I checked the address on the mailbox. Yep, that was it. A sprawling Spanish style house complete with security gate, giant trees and green lawns as far as I could see. Thankfully, Hayden had remembered to put me on the list so when I drove up to the gate and gave the guard my name, he let me right through. I parked and walked the driveway, as Hayden had directed, past the giant swan fountain and blooming flowers.
The ‘guest’ house came into view. It was about the same size as my own home, maybe bigger. Except ours had four occupants — his had only one.
Coming to Hayden’s house was a bad idea after last night. If he had a girl in his bed, would I be able to keep myself in check? Unlikely. But it didn’t matter. I’d have to tough it out with him regardless.
My encounter with the guy last night complicated the situation, made me less sure of anything. I needed to learn to protect myself now more than ever. I needed Hayden too much to walk away. It’s not as if he were any kind of a temptation to me — not after what he’d done last night.
I tapped on the door and waited but no one answered. Hopefully, Hayden wasn’t too wrecked, thus wasting my time. I turned the knob and the door gave way, unveiling light green walls and white trim, wide plank hardwood floors and an arched doorway to a spacious kitchen. The place was simple yet elegant, with very little clutter. It was hard to imagine any teenage boy keeping a home so clean. Clearly, his parents provided a maid.
Hayden had quite the life.
I had no idea how many rooms the house had or which one Hayden would be sleeping in. So I closed my eyes and looked for him, letting my instinct lead. His bedroom door stood ajar and I crept in, praying he wouldn’t be with some girl.
Chapter Thirteen
Tessa
My stomach fluttered in relief at finding Hayden alone. I reminded myself that I didn’t care and rejoiced once again over my good sense at avoiding the temptation the night before. Finding him with the girl in the shadows of the garage proved that I’d made the right decision. I’d never lower myself and kiss him again.
“Hayden, wake up.”
He groaned sleepily and rubbed his eyes. “Hey, Tessa.”
“Good. You remember me.” I kept my voice cold and impersonal. “We have an appointment, remember?”
“Oh, yeah.” By his dazed eyes, he needed coffee. Badly.
I shifted and glanced around. “I’ll wait in the living room.”
“A couple minutes and I’ll be ready,” he croaked as I bolted.
I wanted to pace his living room but didn’t want to appear agitated. Instead, I checked out his kick-boxing trophies mounted on the wall. He emerged moments later wearing jeans and a button-down shirt, left open to expose his flat, muscular abs. I struggled not to stare. He was still a jack-ass and I didn’t want him.
“So…” I shouldn’t
“What if I don’t choose sides?” I folded my arms over my chest.
“They might kill you, so you can’t choose us. The bigger our army, the smaller theirs is in comparison.”
“Army?”
He shrugged. “We’re in a battle, good against evil. It’s not fun and games, Tessa, though I wish it were.”
The more I learned, the more complicated it became. I wouldn’t be able to stand by and allow Mr. Linton and Fawn to guide me. “When do you propose these meetings take place?”
“I could text you, so you know when to expect me. I might bring someone, if that’s okay.”
If he’d meant harm, he would’ve brought the extra person without asking. Or he would have already hurt me. I handed him my phone. “I guess so. Put your number in there. I’m working tomorrow night, but we can meet after. Around ten-thirty?”
“See you then.” He returned my phone. “They’re watching the front door. I’ll go out the window where I can hide in the shadows.”
* * * *
I checked the address on the mailbox. Yep, that was it. A sprawling Spanish style house complete with security gate, giant trees and green lawns as far as I could see. Thankfully, Hayden had remembered to put me on the list so when I drove up to the gate and gave the guard my name, he let me right through. I parked and walked the driveway, as Hayden had directed, past the giant swan fountain and blooming flowers.
The ‘guest’ house came into view. It was about the same size as my own home, maybe bigger. Except ours had four occupants — his had only one.
Coming to Hayden’s house was a bad idea after last night. If he had a girl in his bed, would I be able to keep myself in check? Unlikely. But it didn’t matter. I’d have to tough it out with him regardless.
My encounter with the guy last night complicated the situation, made me less sure of anything. I needed to learn to protect myself now more than ever. I needed Hayden too much to walk away. It’s not as if he were any kind of a temptation to me — not after what he’d done last night.
I tapped on the door and waited but no one answered. Hopefully, Hayden wasn’t too wrecked, thus wasting my time. I turned the knob and the door gave way, unveiling light green walls and white trim, wide plank hardwood floors and an arched doorway to a spacious kitchen. The place was simple yet elegant, with very little clutter. It was hard to imagine any teenage boy keeping a home so clean. Clearly, his parents provided a maid.
Hayden had quite the life.
I had no idea how many rooms the house had or which one Hayden would be sleeping in. So I closed my eyes and looked for him, letting my instinct lead. His bedroom door stood ajar and I crept in, praying he wouldn’t be with some girl.
Chapter Thirteen
Tessa
My stomach fluttered in relief at finding Hayden alone. I reminded myself that I didn’t care and rejoiced once again over my good sense at avoiding the temptation the night before. Finding him with the girl in the shadows of the garage proved that I’d made the right decision. I’d never lower myself and kiss him again.
“Hayden, wake up.”
He groaned sleepily and rubbed his eyes. “Hey, Tessa.”
“Good. You remember me.” I kept my voice cold and impersonal. “We have an appointment, remember?”
“Oh, yeah.” By his dazed eyes, he needed coffee. Badly.
I shifted and glanced around. “I’ll wait in the living room.”
“A couple minutes and I’ll be ready,” he croaked as I bolted.
I wanted to pace his living room but didn’t want to appear agitated. Instead, I checked out his kick-boxing trophies mounted on the wall. He emerged moments later wearing jeans and a button-down shirt, left open to expose his flat, muscular abs. I struggled not to stare. He was still a jack-ass and I didn’t want him.
“So…” I shouldn’t
Similar Books
