Page 75 of The Prey
“Come in,” I call, having to clear my throat at the end to hide the squeak.
What the hell do I say if Sebastian walks in? I know I said I needed to get my shit together, but I thought I’d have more than ten minutes to do it. I don't get to think about it for long since, to my relief, Drew walks in.
I notice almost immediately that he’s dressed very differently compared to his normal attire, wearing a black hoodie, jeans, and high-top sneakers. Dang, he's pretty, but there is an untamed quality to him that terrifies me and seems so at odds with Bel's pure sunshine personality.
I stand and face him, smoothing the short gray dress over the black tights Bel gave me. “Thank you again for letting me stay here. I was just about to grab my things and head back to Sebastian’s. I can’t even put into words how much it helped to have some time to think things through.”
He studies me, his dark eyes clawing into the depths of my soul. Drew has a habit of looking at people in a way that makes them want to spill all their secrets. Stalking forward, he comes to stand beside me, his frame resting casually against the banister of the bed.
“There’s no need to thank me. If you need a bed to sleep in, we have one. Actually we have a lot more than one, but you get the point.”
I smile. “Of course. Well, I’m thankful, nonetheless.”
He shrugs. “If it would help, you can move in.”
I know without a doubt he’s not offering because he wants to. This is not his idea.
I shake my head, sending my loose hair around my waist. “No, but thank you, really. I hate inconveniencing people. I need to figure this thing out with Sebastian, and I can’t do that while living here. I also don’t think he would be very happy if I did that.”
I don’t bother sharing with him that the only place I truly feel safe is with Sebastian. It’s bad enough I’ve shared tiny bits and pieces with Bel.
He nods, his hands stuffed into his front pockets. “I mean, whatever you need help with, Bel and I are here for you. I hope you know that.”
“Your kindness is appreciated, but you don’t have to lie to me. I know I’m nothing more than an unnecessary nuisance that you tolerate because you love Bel.”
He smirks, and when he smiles his eyes look a little less like he’s going to eat me alive. “While that may be partially true, you’re also someone my best friend cares about, regardless of what he says, or how stupid he is, so your safety and security are important to me by extension. Which leads me to my next question. What if I told you I could help fix things?”
I look away and down to the tips of my Converse. My gaze jumps to the battered tips of his boots, and then I look back up to his face again. “Help? How? In what way?”
He shrugs one broad shoulder. “It’s not a guarantee, and most of the time it takes some work on both parts since afterward things can get a little hairy, but it helped Bel and me. I’m only bringing it up since I feel it might make Sebastian see things in a different light.”
“I mean...” I consider what he’s saying. It’s obvious that Sebastian and I have been playing this yo-yo game, going back and forth. It would be nice to know his intentions and feelings. I weigh my options. It seems rude to decline, especially if he has a way to ease the tension between us. It might help lessen the blow of my confession, as well. “Okay, sure. Whatever you can do to help, I’m all ears. I want things to work out.”
The corner of his mouth tips up the tiniest bit, and then he nods. “I’m happy to hear that. Apologies in advance for anything that might happen after this moment. It’s not personal, I promise.”
My brows pinch together as I stare up at him in confusion. “Apologies? What do you mean? Why’re you apologizing?”
Before I can think or react, he’s got me by the bicep, spun around, and a piece of rope jerked tight around my wrists. How the…? What is happening right now? I open my mouth to speak, and he shoves me down onto the bed. I land hard, my chest pressing uncomfortably under the weight.
“What are you doing?” I squeak out.
He lifts me easily by the hips and tosses me higher up the bed. I’m trying not to think the worst here, but it’s impossible when my brain sends mixed signals. There's never been anything between Drew and I. He is cordial at best for Bel's sake. And she’s my best friend. I would never touch him or do anything to ruin my friendship with her. I didn’t think he would either, not with how in love and obsessed he is, but I guess I was wrong.
The possibility of losing Bel and Sebastian—it breaks my heart. I blink away the tears threatening to fall as memories loom at the edges of my mind. “Please, don't do this. I thought you loved Bel. I promise you don’t want me.”
He ties my ankles with the same rough rope, and the weight on the back of my legs lifts when he moves back to stand.
“Of course I love Bel. But this has nothing to do with her.”
“Please… you don’t want me.” I gasp into the mattress.
“Relax, I’m not going to rape you or touch you sexually in any way. I would never cheat on Bel. She’s my entire fucking world.”
I nearly sigh in relief at his confession. “Then… what are you doing?”
“You told me you wanted my help, so I’m giving it to you.”
I turn and rest my cheek against the mattress so I can breathe and try to catch sight of him from the corner of my eyes. He’s looming behind me like a monster who’s going to attack. I squeeze my eyes shut to fight off one of the memories of my past that appear in my mind.