Page 30 of Ruthless Dream

“A little privacy!”

He didn’t even look my way as he turned on the shower. It was when he was leaving that I noticed the dark circles under his eyes.

What would you have done if he hadn’t saved you last night?

I decided I could be grateful and pissed at the same time. I did need his help the night before, but it didn’t mean I should be bound to him forever.

He came back with a large T-shirt and sweatpants. “I threw your dress away.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, soap suds sliding down my body. “That’s Valentino!”

“It had blood on it.”

“That was fucking Valentino!” And I damn well know he checked my ass out in it when we walked up the five flights of stairs to get to this crappy apartment.

He dropped me off at the dorms. I got out before he could say anything, slamming the car door. I didn’t care what he ended up doing with Jack’s fleet car. I rushed into the dorms, high heels in one hand.

I used my iPad to message my mom about losing my phone. A replacement showed up that afternoon.

When I turned it on for the first time, messages from an unknown number popped up. Except I knew exactly who they were from.

Unknown Number: Don’t worry, you can keep my T-shirt.

Unknown Number: Unless you’d like to return it. Bring it over tonight.

Adeline: You’re a bit fucking clingy.

Ciaran: And you’re not very appreciative, princess

So began a string of messages. Like right now when I’m clearly in the middle of trying to work out what the fuck Wallen wants with my family.

I ignore his message, trying a new search. What the fuck was Jack’s last name?

Ciaran: Stop.

Ciaran: Go study.

Leave me the fuck alone, I want to shout.

Adeline Akatov does not need help. I do not need help.

I do, however, already need a new phone because why the fuck does Ciaran know what I’m up to?

Adeline: Did you hack my phone?

It’s stupid how long I took to put that together. He’s been calling me by my middle name for days.

I open random apps, like I’m going through drawers, looking for clues. My heart stops when I see a new calendar event for tomorrow.

Lunch with Ciaran.

Adeline: I’m not going to lunch with you!

Ciaran: Sure you are.

Adeline: I don’t even know you!

Ciaran: Good thing we’ve got a date tomorrow.