by KC Kean
The Rolls comes to a stop outside Ace. I’m relieved, ready to leave this intense bubble around us. I step out of the car before the door can be opened for me.
“God, Luna. Are you serious?” His eyes frantically searching mine as he stops me entering the building. I can’t help but sigh.
“Can we not right now, Roman? That’s the first time I’ve remembered something, but I’m so fucking frustrated with you. I need to relax and get ready for tonight. You giving me this brooch,” I pause, gripping the peacock tighter in my hands, “And triggering a memory for me, doesn’t change any of that,” I say as I walk around him.
As I’m walking to the stairs, he pulls me towards the elevator. Before I can kick up a fuss, the doors are opening and he’s shoving me inside. He’s taken me by surprise and I’m a little slow on the defense. Before I know it, he’s pressing the button for our floor and caging me in against the side of the elevator. Hands resting on the gold handrail on either side of me.
“Listen here, princess. I know I fucked up. I know, but I’m not going to just let you dismiss me. I’ve tried the soft approach, given you space and now I've passed my limit.”
Fuck me. The tension is coming off him in waves, but I can’t help but laugh. Which makes him lean in further, a frown on his face.
“There he is. I was wondering when alpha Roman would finally make an appearance. You’ve been quiet and obedient this week. I was almost starting to worry,” I say with a lot of sass, as I slowly and deliberately reach out to straighten his blazer. Attempting to act unfazed by his close proximity, I’m actually on fire. His eyes track my every movement making my skin burn to feel his.
I quickly drop my hands from him, my deliberate teasing affecting me as much as it is him.
“Well, I’m done stepping back and letting you lead the pace because you’re doing a shit job.”
“No, I’m just not taking it in the direction you want me to. You want everything to go back to how it was, and I don’t.” He just fucking laughs at me as he moves his face right into mine. His lips so close I can feel their heat.
“Princess, you think I can’t see the lust in your pretty green eyes? Sense what your body wants and needs right now? My body is so attuned to yours, Luna. I fucking know.”
My pulse is throbbing as I lose myself in his gaze. If he touches me now, I won’t be able to stand my ground, I’ll give into my body's wants and desires.
He must be able to sense it because he steps in closer, his body flush against mine. My arms start to lift, to wrap around his neck when the elevator pings and the doors slide open.
The noise surprises me and I push him back. He only moves because it’s caught him off guard too.
Stumbling a little, I rush past him straight for my room. I struggle to get a grip on the right key, and fumble around at the door. Glancing back at Roman, he finally catches on and steps out of the elevator just as I hear the door click open.
“Luna, I swear to god. Don’t fucking run …”
I don’t hear the rest as I slam my door shut behind me.
BANG! BANG!
“Luna, open the fucking door!” he yells. My hand still rests against the door, and I can’t bring myself to move. “Open the door, princess. I know you’re still there.”
My feet step in closer to the door on their own accord, my bag dropping to the floor beside me as I rest my forehead against the wood. The cool touch does nothing to calm my racing heart. Taking a deep breath, I turn to lean back against the door, my gaze lifting to the ceiling as my palms lay flat against the door behind me. I make sure my voice is just loud enough for him to hear me.
“None of this matters, Roman. My past, the present, my future, it’s all irrelevant because I’m not your problem.” I don’t know how I manage to keep the tremble out of my voice, especially since my legs are like jelly.
“I want you to be my fucking problem, Luna.”
I feel his palm slap the other side of the wood in desperation, and my chest aches. When silence is all that greets him, I hear him sigh. I can feel his presence as though there was nothing separating us. My body imagining the feel of his breath on my neck, willing me to open the door.
“We’re not done, Luna. Not by a long shot.” I hear the determination in his voice, and I need to move away from here before I give in.
Rushing for the bathroom I turn the shower on, drowning out any other noise.
This is harder than I thought it would be, and it’s all his fault.
Acehole.
*****
After my freezing cold shower I’m dressed and quietly opening my door. I double check to make sure no one is there. By no one, I mainly mean Roman, but the way they fucking gossip about me, the others likely know he came close to breaking my walls.
I can’t focus on that right now. I need to get out of here without any interruption. Happy no one is around, I take the stairs. In my running shoes, I can handle them much better than in my uniform heels. I’ve also thrown on a pair of black leggings and a loose fitted black top. A cap sits perfectly on my head to hide my face from any cameras. It’s likely they would be able to assume it’s me if needed, but they wouldn’t have solid evidence.
Stepping into the lobby, there’s no one around except Thomas who literally sits and greets us all day. I’m not sure what else he actually does.
I spot Ian by a Rolls outside of Ace and head towards him. He’s not the closest or first parked Rolls, which is the usual protocol, yet he opens the car door ready for me.
“Miss Luna, is everything okay?” He asks as I approach.
“Yeah, I would appreciate you taking me to the garden please.” I offer a smile, not lifting my face too high.
“Of course.”
He opens the car door and I slide in. I see him look in the rear-view mirror at me but I don’t offer a conversation, he’s happy enough to drive in silence.
It’s only a few minutes until we're pulling up along the path again, next to my little haven. I hadn’t known it even existed until I nearly strangled Wren to death, and Ian brought me here with Kai. Now, I’m here most days.
“Don’t grab the door, Ian. I’m fine, and I’ll jog back as always.”
I don’t wait around for his response, I just climb out and stalk between the bushes.
Every day this week after classes, I’ve had Ian bring me here. I’d even had him arrange a few things to make it more comfortable here, like adding a rattan daybed, fairy lights and a stocked cooler.
This is day five of the same routine except Red isn’t with me this time. Today I’m not hanging around, this is my cover, my alibi in case anything goes wrong.
Taking a seat on the daybed, I open a bottle of water as I pull out my sketch pad and draw for a while. I’ll have more belongings here than in my room soon, everytime I come down here I leave something else. I wait a little longer, making sure enough time has passed before I slip out of my zen garden, heading in the opposite direction from Ace.
Featherstone Academy is so fearless that they post copies of their blueprints freely on their internal school website. Fucking idiots. Not that I really need them, I know where I’m going, but it gave me a better visual for where the guards are. Knowing the best blind spots along this route, it takes me around twenty-five minutes to arrive at the Main Hall.
I walk straight in with purpose, I’m not hovering around or looking nervous. I haven’t got time for that, and I don’t want to make myself look suspicious. Rafe had someone hack into the surveillance feed for the Main Hall which I’ve been monitoring for the past few days.
Coming in from the back means it takes me a little longer to get to my destination, but I can avoid more cameras this way. I have my clicker with me to dodge the security feeds if I need it, as back up.
Turning into the quiet corridor, I pause for just a moment making sure I’m alone. I have my trusty amplifying headphones in, looking like I’m listening to my music. Instead, all I can hear is some asshole munch
ing some chips back in the main open space.
I press my clicker as I slip my hand in my bra, pulling out the key, making quick work of the lock and stepping inside. Shutting the door behind me, it looks no different to the first time I was here.
Dietrichson’s office.
When Maverick slipped me the key on Monday morning, amongst the chaos with Wren, I was beyond grateful. Rafe promised I could trust him, and as hard as it is for me to say, I do. When he helped me without question in The Pyramid, I knew I could rely on him. I felt like Rafe was finally helping me, giving me allies and connections to make this a little easier.
Focusing on the tasks at hand, I smoothed my fingers across the hem of my leggings. I’d cut tiny slits into the waistband of my leggings and hidden my micro cameras in them. I didn’t have much time before the blocker on the security feed would become too obvious, so I needed to move.
I’d brought three cameras, a listening device and a chip for her computer with me. I placed one in the corner of the bookcase which would give me a perfect view of everyone that entered the office. The two books that sit below my micro camera make me chuckle, ‘How to be an International Spy Training Manual’ and ‘How to be a Better Leader’.
The second went in the vent in the corner of the room, almost touching the ceiling, allowing me to oversee the whole room. The final camera fit perfectly in the center of the fake flowers that sit on the windowsill behind her desk, giving me full access to what she did on her computer.
Placing the tiny listening device in her computer mouse, I work efficiently to gain access to her computer with my microchip.
“Yeah, give me a second, I’ll be with you. I’m just having issues with Dietrichson’s camera feed,” I hear through my headphones.
Shit. I needed to move. It sounded like it was said from the room above, so I’ve got a chance of getting out unseen. I quickly retrace my steps to make sure I haven’t left anything out of place. The plant sit’s exactly as it did, the microchip in the computer is completely unrecognizable unless you know to look for it. I straighten the office chair as I glance at the vent. All clear, even the bookcase still has a light layer of dust undisturbed on the shelf. I’m out of there.
I press the clicker off as soon as I get out of the office with the door shut behind me. The steps down from upstairs are luckily in the main space, so I can exit the same way I entered.
As soon as I step outside I start a slow-paced jog. I don’t look behind me, not once. I don’t need to draw any attention to myself. I maintain my pace all the way back to Ace, smiling at Ian as I enter.
As I’m heading for the stairs, I hear Parker's voice coming from the gym. Not wanting to be seen, I take the steps two at a time. I manage to slip back into my room unnoticed. Thank god. Now to check the camera feeds and send the access links to Rafe. Then I can focus on getting ready for the party.
Great.
I could do with something much more fun to ease the bit of adrenaline coursing through my veins but I guess dancing will have to do.
CHAPTER SIX
(Roman)
Fuck.
I had her in my hands, and she slipped through my fucking fingers. She wants me, that hasn’t changed. I just need us to move past my fucking stupid mistake of not telling her.
I gave up banging her door down after twenty minutes of her ignoring me. I’ve been pacing the floor in my lounge ever since. How can she possibly feel as though she isn’t my problem? She’s mine no matter what. I’ve never wanted to take on someone else's battles before, until Luna, and I refuse to let her continue to push me away.
She remembered. She fucking remembered … and then ran.
I want to know what she remembered, however small it may have been. I need to know.
I hear a key turn in the lock and my front door is swung open. Parker, Oscar and Kai step in with Jess trailing in behind them wheeling a small suitcase. What’s that for?
The guys don’t look happy, and Jess just looks uncomfortable.
“Hey, what’s going on?” I ask, looking between them.
“Tell him,” Oscar says, glaring at her.
“I didn’t have to tell you, you know? So stop glaring at me, or I’ll show you some of the new moves Luna has been teaching me.” She glares back.
“Does someone want to get to the point?” I ask, getting frustrated with them. I swear these two bicker like brother and sister. Neither of them move, instead they continue to face each other battling it out in a fucking staring competition like children.
I can’t help but sigh at their antics. Parker must sense my frustration when he finally explains.
“Luna and Jess are going to a Byrne’s party tonight out behind the Library.”
What?
“But Luna doesn’t party,” I say frowning at the thought, which finally gets Jess to turn away from Oscar.
“Well, that was only because she was trying to keep her guard up here. Rafe told me some crazy stories about her. She usually parties if she feels safe enough, or if everything is too much and her mind needs a break. Which do you think it is right now?” She stands with her hands fixed on her hips and glares around at us all.
For a moment my mind goes back to the Fall Ball. When we got back to her room she let her guard down. We all drank together and had a good time because she felt safe.
“Does Luna even fucking know what goes down at a Byrne’s party?”
Jess just silently shakes her head.
“Okay. Obviously she’s going to clear her mind, but after the Fall Ball she drank with us because she felt safe. So, no matter what shit is going on right now, we’ll be there. That way she can relax her mind and we’ll be there to catch her if anything gets out of hand,” I say out loud, as I scrub the back of my neck, figuring out a plan.
“So we’re gonna let her go?” Oscar frowns, mirroring Jess’ stance, fucking pussy. I don’t get a chance to tell him to shut the fuck up because Kai beats me to it.
“Shut up, Oscar. Luna is her own person. We don’t tell her what she can and can’t do. If she’s going, we go too. Simple as that.” He nods and Parker agrees.
“Okay, well my work here is done. See you tonight. I plan to get us there after 10, you know, fashionably late and all that.” She waves her hand around dramatically, “With the treats I’ve got planned, you won’t be able to miss her.” Jess gives us a wink and leaves, dragging the case behind her and quietly shutting the door.
“I think she’s trying to help us out,” Parker murmurs, staring at the closed door.
“I agree. I think we’ll need her,” Kai adds.
I nod in agreement. I was all set to come up with a new plan with the guys tonight, I’m done with fucking around. Now it seems we’ve got a chance to be around her instead.
“Well, I’m gonna make sure I look so good she won’t be able to resist me. She won’t even acknowledge you dickheads,” Oscar says, wagging his eyebrows and heading for the door.
“Fuck off, Oscar,” I grumble, throwing myself down on the sofa as the door slams behind him.
“I’m going to go and set up a few surveillance spots before everyone starts showing up so we can always have eyes on her,” Kai says and I grunt in agreement.
“I’ll come with you,” Parker adds. “I can’t handle him when he’s all hot and broody.” He winks and offers me a grin. As much as these parties can get a little crazy, the thought of being in Luna’s proximity has lifted his mood a little.
“You love my brooding. Now fuck off before I find other uses for that mouth of yours.” I smirk.
“Screw you, Roman. I took the D last time, it’s your turn next big man,” he responds, thrusting his hips a little, and slams the door behind him.
Fuck, now my cock’s hard at the thought of us together.
Shit, I need a plan.
Alpha the hell out of her, get her to admit she wants me, fuck for the rest of the night.
Done.
*****
(Lun
a)
“Red, I’m not sure about this,” I say, looking down at myself.
“Will you stop? You look hot as hell. Now let me finish your makeup Luna, or we won’t be leaving,” Red huffs, pointing the mascara wand in my face.
I’m starting to think that might be a good idea. Stay in and fuck all of this. I’m about to say it out loud when she stops me.
“Don’t even think about it. We are going, end of discussion. Now look up.”
I sigh but do as I’m told. A few more swipes of the wand and she steps back.
“Holy shit girl, your milkshakes gonna bring all the boys to the yard tonight,” she says with a giggle, making me roll my eyes at her.
“That’s not what this is about, Red.”
“I know, but damn, Luna. You’re absolute fire. Now, give me a few minutes and I’ll be dressed. We definitely need selfies before we leave,” she says, turning her back to me.
“I didn’t sign up for selfies, Red,” I stammer, heading for the door in a hurry.
“Don’t even, we’re making memories, Luna. We don’t have a single picture together, why do you gotta play me like that? Your best friend.” She turns her head to pout at me, making me tilt my head back and release a heavy sigh.
“Fine.”
I step into my bedroom to check my reflection out. Red’s latest playlist is still running in the background. Control by Halsey fills the room, something about this song resonates inside of me.
I can’t get Roman out of my head from earlier. The peacock is on my bedside table, but I don’t know what to do with it or the memory it came with. Mere seconds longer, and I would have been in his room and under him. I still can’t decide if it was a mistake or not for me to run.
Shaking my head, I focus on the now, and touch a finger to the mark on my forehead. How is Red always so magic with her make-up skills? You can barely see that I had my head stitched back together last week.
She tried to convince me to let her pull out her contouring skills, but that’s just pushing me too far. Instead, she’s used my perfect foundation with a little bronzer and blush. My green eyes are framed with pale golds and creams and black winged eyeliner.