Page 76 of Devour

“Back to our previous conversation—why do you hate Axl so much?” I ask him the same question I’ve asked him before, since I have never been able to get a straight answer.

“Because he’s not the one for you. He flies off the handle, and the Sinclairs let him get away with it. Look at how many men he’s killed just for getting near you.”

I set the piece of toast I was buttering down on my plate. “How do you know about that?”

He stares back at me, and the intensity in his expression makes me lean away. Something about it feels off. “We all know. Do you think any of us can do anything without it being known by everyone in this house? I’ve witnessed him fly off the handle. We all know what he did in the woods during the hunt. And I was on campus one day, heading to my car, when I saw him and Priest carry a body out just after you made a mad dash to your car. You can’t tell me those two things weren’t related, Sayl.”

I don’t have a response to that. Because he’s not wrong. About any of it.

“I’m not saying I think he’ll actually hurt you.” Justin’s voice drops, and the intensity is gone. Just like that, he’s my brother again. I don’t think I realized how easily he floats between the two—my brother who I adore and someone who also almost scares me. “But he’s not stable. And you know this isn’t forever anyway. After this year, Dad is going to decide your husband.”

I pick up my toast again and take a bite, processing his words. “Daddy said I could have a say.”

Justin chuckles and pours himself a cup of coffee, then pours a cup for me. “Right. And he won’t push you in the direction of the man he wants you to marry.”

He’s right about that too. I have to convince my father to agree to whoever I want to marry, and that complicates things. There’s only so much he’s willing to fight with my mother about. I’m starting to hate the fucking Ravens more than I ever have before. I should be allowed to be with whoever I want, not who gives my father the most strategic allies.

“Does he already have someone in mind?” I ask, because I might have a chance if he hasn’t started making deals. Although, I don’t even know that Axl wants to marry me. This was always supposed to be just for the year.

Justin takes a sip of his coffee. “I don’t think it’s Axl, if that’s what you’re asking.”

My throat tightens. I wrap both hands around my coffee and stare at the steam. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know if I need to have a conversation with my father or if that will only push him in a direction I don’t want him to go.

“Hey.” Justin leans forward and pushes my hair back from my face. The gesture feels far too intimate and makes me think of Axl. I back away, tucking my hair behind my ears. “I’m not trying to upset you. I just don’t want you getting blindsided.”

I give him a small smile and sip my coffee. He watches me for a second, and then he reaches over and squeezes my shoulder.

“You know Axl isn’t the only one who would kill for you, right?” He speaks softly. “And I’ll do what I can to help with Dad.”

“Thank you, Justin.” But when it comes to my dad, I’m going to need all the fucking help I can get.

The kitchen door swings open, and Ryan walks in, sweaty from what looks like the gym. He goes to grab a bottle of water from the fridge.

He spots us and nods at Justin. “Justin.”

“Ryan.” Justin nods back.

Ryan’s eyes shift to me. He doesn’t say anything this time, but he winks as he turns and walks out.

I wait until the door swings shut. “Since when are you friendly with that guy? I thought, based on the other night, you two didn’t get along.”

Justin shrugs. “He’s a friend, I guess. We got assigned to work together on what we’re doing for the Ravens. He’s not so bad if you can get past his crudeness.”

I finish my toast and brush the crumbs off Axl’s hoodie. I should probably go back upstairs and wait, but there’s still no text from him and the idea of sitting in that suite alone doesn’t sound all that appealing.

“You want to get out of the mansion for a bit?” Justin asks, reading my mind. “We can take a walk or something. It’s nice out, and you look like you could use some fresh air and some sun on your skin.”

He’s not wrong. I’ve barely left the suite in days, and I haven’t left the mansion in weeks, not since I first moved in. I almost forgot there’s an entire world out there. “Yeah. Actually, that sounds really good.”

“Let me grab my phone from my room first.” He stands and puts his plate in the sink. “Finish eating and meet me in the front hall in five.”

I pull out my phone and text Axl.

Me: Going for a walk with Justin. Kynlee’s at her parents’ until tomorrow and I wouldn’t dream of breaking your rules and going anywhere alone, my king.

I smile to myself as I watch the message send and slide off the stool. That might earn me a bit of reprieve from the attitude I gave him earlier.

I hop down from the stool and grab a couple pieces of bacon, eating them while I lean against the counter. My plate clanks when I set it on top of Justin’s in the sink, and I head out to the grand hallway to meet him. I’m almost there when my phone buzzes.