Page 73 of Ruthless Dream

I point. “Look at how badly they bruised his face.”

He stiffly stands up, grunting. “You never were with me because of my looks.”

Ciaran brushes past me, his fingers skimming my arm as he heads toward his uncle.

Nat rocks back and forth on her heels. “So. . .”

“No one warned me when I went away to college my roommate might film herself masturbating so she could send it to her boyfriend.”

Nat’s mouth forms a perfect little ‘O’.

“Yeah, and apparently Trish is, like, really into watching it.” My new fantasy novel had not deserved to be corrupted in such a manner. “So I’ve been spending time at Ciaran’s a lot.”

Nat nods slowly. “Are you. . . being safe?”

My shoulders soften. “Mom put us on the pill when we were, like, fifteen.”

Nat’s heels click as she patters over to me, grabbing my hands. “It’s a big deal.”

One look and she’s seen into my soul. She knows I’ve slept with Ciaran and that I’m stepping toward something bigger than any high school romance I’ve ever had.

My lips part, words gathering. “I really like him.”

“Why?” she asks in that typical Nat way. She’s not arguing. She’s trying to understand.

“Because I don’t have to hide our way of life with him.” We’re both well aware of the world we live in. Wariness crosses Nat’s face, though. “He never asks about Dad’s business.”

I get a classic are you sure about that facial expression. I nod firmly.

“Family is important to him too,” I say. “He gets it.”

She should hear how he speaks about Nora and Ian.

“He’s even taken up your side in all of this.”

“Don’t try to butter me up,” Nat says.

“It’s true.” He knows Nat gives me a hard time because she’s looking out for me.

“You’re totally falling for this guy, aren’t you?”

I catch Ciaran’s profile in my periphery. “Yes and no.”

Nat narrows her eyes, frowning.

“It’s new. I’m young, and as previously established, I have a lot of goals.” And what she doesn’t know is I’m still very aware that my boyfriend is here because of an arrangement involving one dead guy. “So, yes, I like him. But no, don’t worry, I’m aware he’s not my soulmate.”

This is just a chapter in my life. Part of growing up. I’m not just having sex for the first time. Ciaran thinks I’m introducing people to him, but it works both ways. It’s time I start walking among our world, every bit the Akatov daughter that I am.

I will no longer be a little girl. A child shielded by her parents. I can play this game, just like the best of them.

“Best laid plans,” Nat tries to remind.

“My plans don’t go askew.”

“I’m sorry, didn’t you think you’d end up being besties with your roommates?”

“Extenuating circumstances.”