Focus

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

  I smiled despite the fact that he was making fun of me. “You can kiss me.”

  I closed my eyes, waiting for his lips to meet mine again. He didn’t disappoint. I would never get enough of his lips—or any part of him. I’d missed being with him, the way he set me on fire with the simplest touch.

  His hand moved up more, resting on my breast. I moaned, knowing how good it would feel if his hand slipped under my bra. He surprised me by not trying it. Evidently, he did listen. We kissed for a few minutes more before he rolled away from me slightly, resting on his back. He took my hand, and we just stared up at the sky for a while. Eventually, my back protested from lying on the ground, and I stood up.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to go home with me?” Levi helped me brush sand off my skirt. His hands were wandering more than they needed to, and I knew before looking up just how heated a look he’d give me.

  “Yes. I’m sure.”

  “Fine, but I know you’re going to dream about me.”

  “You wish.” I tried to shake the sand out of my hair.

  “No. I know.” He kissed me again before taking off toward home.

  He landed right near my dorm. “I’ll pick you up at nine o’clock tomorrow night.”

  “I never agreed.”

  “You will now. Hailey’s invited too. I think it’s time I showed you some more of my, uh, hangouts.”

  “Wait, a paranormal place?”

  He nodded. “You in?”

  “Definitely. I’ll tell Hailey.”

  “Good night, Al.” He kissed me gently.

  “Night.”

  I walked inside knowing he was still watching. When I got back to my room, Hailey was waiting up.

  “So do we still hate Levi, or is he back on the good list?” She stopped typing on her computer and turned toward me. She was already in her pajamas.

  “We?”

  “Yeah. We’re on the same team.”

  I smiled. “He’s not in the dog house anymore, but he’s certainly not back in the bedroom.”

  “No, he’s on the couch.” She laughed.

  “You’re so funny.”

  “Come on, how perfect was that? But anyway, I’m glad. You look happy.”

  “I am. As angry as he makes me, he also makes me—”

  “Hot?”

  “That’s one way of putting it.” I slipped off my shoes, putting them back in the closet.

  “Okay, he’ll be back in the bedroom soon.”

  My phone beeped, signaling a text. Sweet dreams.

  I texted back to Levi. Wish you were here.

  I can be there.

  It was a joke.

  Not funny. Next time you do that expect to find me in your bed.

  I didn’t like the thrill that ran through me at the prospect. I don’t think Hailey would like that.

  I don’t think I care.

  Good night.

  Night, Love.

  “Are you done sexting with Levi?” Hailey smirked.

  “Gross.” I dug some pajamas out of my drawer.

  “Stop pretending to be a prude, Allie, it’s not fooling anyone.”

  “I love you, Hailey. You know that, right?”

  “Of course, how could you not?”

  I had no idea what was going to happen with Levi, but at least I had a friend along for the ride with me.

  Chapter Eight

  “Stay close to me tonight, Al.” Levi held me tightly against his side as we walked away from where he parked his car on the dark street.

  “This place is safe, right?” My excitement over seeing an actual paranormal bar subsided enough for me to realize I should probably be worried.

  “It’s perfectly safe if you stay with me.” He squeezed my shoulder.

  “It’s too bad they won’t think I’m a Pteron,” I grumbled. It had been really cool when some Weres thought I was a Pteron. The only way you could tell was to wait for them to shift, and with my height, I’d managed to fool some guys. I liked everyone thinking I was that powerful.

  “Sorry, Al. Everyone knows I wouldn’t mate with anyone but a human.”

  “What if I have to go to the bathroom?”

  “You’ll go with me, of course.” Hailey was a few steps behind us. I sensed she was protecting me too. I could make out Jared and Owen at the door.

  The outside of the bar didn’t look like much. Unlike other bars, there were no neon signs, or other indications that the place was a public establishment. That was probably the point. If you didn’t know about it, you shouldn’t be there. The only hint that the place wasn’t abandoned was the two large guys standing outside of it.

  “Levi.” The two bouncers said in unison as they bowed their heads slightly.

  Levi never loosened his hold on me. I took comfort from being at his side.

  There had to have been at least two hundred people in there—although I doubted many were people in the traditional sense. A large group congregated at the bar, while others sat at wooden tables. Levi headed right over to a table off in the corner. It felt distinctly like it was a table he frequented often. I felt all eyes on me as he pulled out my chair.

  “I’ll get us a couple rounds of shots.” Jared didn’t bother to sit down.

  Levi sat next to me, and threw an arm over my shoulder. “I’d get you your favorite drink, but this isn’t the kind of place for it.”

  “Oh,” is all I said. I didn’t like the way everyone was looking at me.

  “You alright?” Levi carefully brushed some hair away from my face.

  “Of course.”

  “You’re not fooling me, but I’ll pretend I believe you.”

  I smacked his arm playfully. “Don’t forget you’re still on probation.”

  “Probation? That’s a new one. That could make for some interesting role play.” His mischievous expression put me at ease. We might have been in a weird place, but he was still Levi.

  “Levi—”

  I was interrupted when Jared returned with a tray heaping with shots.

  Levi handed one to me, before taking one for himself. Hailey, Owen, and Jared each took a shot glass.

  Levi held up his shot and everyone else followed. “To good times and the king.”

  I wasn’t completely sure what the toast meant. I’d never head them toast Levi’s dad before, but I took the shot. It burned on the way down. I doubted I’d ever be a shot person.

  I’d waved away the second shot when I noticed a guy staring at me, literally licking his lips. He looked like he was in his mid-twenties, with reddish-brown hair. I nudged Levi to get his attention.

  Levi growled. Jared, Owen, and Hailey turned around to see what he was looking at.

  The man smiled, pushing back his chair and sauntering over.

  “Hello, Levi.”

  Levi tensed beside me. “What do you want, Martin?”

  “I just thought it would be appropriate to introduce myself to your mate.”

  “She doesn’t want to meet you.” Levi sat forward, attempting to block me from Martin’s view.

  “Oh, come on now, she looks friendly.”

  I stiffened, my leg pushing into Levi, wanting the comfort of his touch.

  Martin never took his eyes off me. His expression was anything but friendly. It was like he was a predator examining his prey. It brought back some unwanted memories of the cougars.

  Levi put a hand on my leg to calm me. “Go away, Martin.”

  “Is that anyway to treat your cousin?”

  “Cousin?” I’d developed the awful habit of blurting out what was on my mind without thinking.

  “Yes, hasn’t Levi told you about me?” He tilted his head to the side in a way I’d only seen animals do.

  “No…” I looked at Levi.

  His face was blank.

  “What a shame. I know a lot about you.” He licked his lips again. “You’re originally from New York, aren’t you? I’m sure it was hard for you to leave.”

  I swallow
ed, determined not to let Martin see just how much he frightened me. “I miss it, but I like it here.”

  He smiled condescendingly. “You never really move on from the place you were raised.”

  Levi glanced at me. “You can ignore him. He isn’t worth your time.”

  “Ignore me? I think not. Change is brewing little cousin, and if your mate wants a chance, she should know the truth.”

  Levi slammed his fist on the table, knocking over several shot glasses. “Shut up.”

  “What’s going to happen when you go down? Hopefully, I’ll get to have her first—that is unless something happens to her before then…”

  “You son of a bitch.” Levi was out of his seat, his eyes solid black as he lunged at Martin. Levi punched him, launching him through the air and into a table. The impact caused the solid wood to split into two. “I told you to shut up.”

  Levi walked back over to me, grabbing my hand. “Let’s go.”

  “What the hell was that all about?” I stopped short when we reached the sidewalk.

  “Nothing.”

  “I want the truth.” I reluctantly let him pull me along, too shaken up to fight.

  Levi shifted uncomfortably.

  “She deserves it,” Owen said from behind us.

  Levi let out a deep breath.“Fine, let’s go back to our place.”

  I looked at Hailey and she nodded. I needed answers.

  ***

  Settled on a couch with a cup of coffee, I got ready for what I figured would be some seriously heavy information. Something felt almost humorous about the situation. I was sitting around with a bunch of paranormal creatures drinking coffee. Levi paced around the room. I knew he didn’t want to share this stuff with me, but I was done being left in the dark. If he wanted me in his life, he was going to have to start keeping me informed.

  “You don’t have to worry.” Levi stopped pacing long enough to kneel down in front of me. This was going to be bad—really bad.

  “Spill it, Levi.”

  He put his hands on my legs, looking me right in the eye. “You heard what they talked about at the meeting. The Blackwell’s are trying to usurp us.”

  Usurp? I’d never heard Levi speak so formally.

  “Aren’t they always trying to seize power? This isn’t new, is it?” When I’d been kidnapped over the summer, my captors made it seem that way.

  “Yes, and no.” He looked away for a moment before turning his attention back to me. “They’ve always wanted power, but they’ve never actually attempted to take it before. Or at least not in my lifetime.”

  “We think someone on the inside is leaking information. It seems like the Blackwell’s are going to strike soon.” Jared took a seat on the couch next to me.

  “And you think they’re going to come after me, right?” I said the words I knew Levi didn’t want to say.

  “You’re safe, Al. I swear.”

  “Only if I stay with you.” I said it quietly, but knew everyone in the room could hear.

  “Yes.” His eyes never left my face.

  “What does your cousin have to do with this?” No longer wanting my coffee, I set it aside.

  “He hates me for being the heir to the throne. He’s power hungry.”

  “Do you think he’s working with the Blackwell’s then?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know what he’d have to gain though.” Levi still made complete eye contact. I guess he was trying to let me know he was telling me everything.

  I reached out and touched his shoulder. He was trying to put me at ease, but at the moment he also needed comforting. He was worried. “Maybe it’s not to gain anything, but to hurt you. Jealousy can be a powerful thing.”

  “Yes, it can.”

  “I assume by the fact that you’re on your knees that you really think someone might come after me again.”

  “Yes.” The one word answers should have annoyed me, but at least he was being honest.

  “That’s why I have you guys in all of my classes. I’m always being watched, aren’t I?”

  “Only from a distance. And no one violates your privacy. Hailey lives with you so it isn’t necessary.”

  “But if Hailey wasn’t living with me…”

  “If you weren’t living with Hailey, you’d be living with Levi.” Jared always spoke so bluntly.

  “What if I don’t want to be watched?”

  “You have no choice. You’re too important.” Levi stood up. Jared moved, letting Levi sit down next to me.

  “When can I see my mom? Will it ever be safe, or will I be putting her in danger?” I’d been looking at things in the short term, but I doubted anything would be resolved anytime soon. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Part of me wanted to go back to New York, but most of me didn’t.

  “We’re going to take care of it. My dad already has some serious leads. It’s just a matter of time.” Jared’s voice sounded a little distant. I knew he wished he were a bigger part of the effort.

  “They don’t want to kill me though, right? I mean doesn’t that defeat the purpose? If they kill me, you can just take another mate.”

  Levi put a hand under my chin and made me look at him. “You make it sound like a business dealing. Do you realize what losing you would do to me?”

  “I’m just saying that they probably want to kidnap me but not kill me.” I couldn’t believe I was saying it so matter-of-factly, but in some ways it made things easier.

  “Don’t. Just don’t. If anyone took you from me again…I can’t even think about it.” His voice sounded scratchy.

  “Trust me. I’m not letting myself get kidnapped again.”

  “We’re going to keep you safe.” Hailey put a hand on my arm. “Remember that.”

  “Are you going to start telling me stuff? Keeping me in the loop?”

  Levi searched my face. “Do you really want me to? Do you really want to know more?”

  “Yes,” I said confidently. “I need to know.”

  “Okay, I will.”

  “You can’t be serious.” Jared kicked a game controller that was lying on the floor.

  “I am. If she wants to know, she deserves to know.”

  “Good.” I leaned my head back. Between meeting Martin, and hearing Levi actually say I was in danger, I didn’t think I could take much more. “Does anyone want to take us home?”

  “You girls can always stay here…” It sounded like Levi was just going through the motions. He didn’t actually expect us to stay.

  “I think you know the answer.”

  “Fine, I’ll take you guys back.”

  Twenty minutes later, I was slipping between the soft sheets of my bed. I couldn’t help but look out the window before I lay down. I wondered who was out there watching me, and if it was only Levi’s people. For all I knew, there was a Blackwell sitting out there in the dark too. I pulled my blankets tightly around me. I’d spent so much time focused on whether I wanted to get back together with Levi, that I hadn’t been seriously thinking about the danger I was in.

  “Are you okay?” Hailey paused with her hand on the light switch.

  “I’m fine.” I wasn’t sure who I was lying to more, Hailey or myself.

  Chapter Nine

  Knowing exactly how much danger I was in didn’t change the fact that I still had to go to class. My second week of college wasn’t that different from the first. The only real change was that I started my organic chemistry lab.

  Jared waited for me outside of my dorm. He smiled when he saw me.

  “I’m guessing you have lab too?” I started walking, knowing he’d follow.

  “Nope. I couldn’t get into it. I’m just keeping you company on the way over.”

  A few days earlier, I would have told him to get lost, but now I found his presence comforting.

  “Are you saying that you guys couldn’t override a schedule? You’re losing your touch.”

  “Well, we figured it wasn’t that big of a deal. How much trouble can yo
u get into for a few hours of lab, right?”

  “Don’t remind me. I can’t believe lab’s starting already.”

  “I thought you liked this stuff.”

  “I do. I mean I like learning about it, but that doesn’t mean I want to spend three hours in a lab.”

  Jared laughed. “Good luck with it. I have mine tomorrow.” I couldn’t imagine Jared in a lab.

  We reached the modern glass building that housed the Organic Chemistry lab. It looked out of place amongst the mostly stone buildings of the quad. “Thanks. See ya.”

  I walked into lab, which was really a series of rooms. I took a lab manual from the pile and found an empty stool. Of all of my classes, this lab made me the most nervous. I was good at listening to lectures and spitting it all back out on exams and in papers. It was something different to actually have to perform experiments. Results never seemed to turn out like they were supposed to. I was sure this would be a lot harder than my science labs in high school.

  “Allie, hey.”

  I glanced up from flipping through the manual. Nick, the guy from the house party, took the stool next to me. “Hi, Nick.”

  “I didn’t know you were in Orgo.”

  “Yeah, I guess I can say the same thing to you.”

  “I’m glad you’re here. I hate having to find lab partners.”

  I guess that meant we were working together. I didn’t mind, though. Searching for a partner wasn’t high on my to-do list. “Me too.”

  Our TA came in and introduced himself. I expected he wouldn’t be like a regular professor, but I was surprised to see he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

  “Hi guys. Welcome to Organic Chemistry Lab. I’d tell you this was going to be fun, but then I’d be lying.” He paused, probably hoping for laughs. He didn’t get any.

  “Basically, we’ll be doing an experiment each week. Just follow your lab manual, and if you have any questions or problems, let me know. Oh, and don’t forget to turn in your prelab questions at the start of each class. If there aren’t any questions, you can go ahead and check out your first experiment.”

  I tried not to let the lab intimidate me. It’s not like I’d never seen the equipment before, but I’d heard so many horror stories about organic chem.