Page 145 of Coveted

It might be too late anyway, because Lucan sees the world in black and white. He’s all or nothing.

I wavered, and maybe that was the kiss of death for us.

“He’s not here,” says a male voice with a slight Irish accent, making me turn.

Madox wears a pinstriped suit and carries a fake Tommy gun. His genuine facial scar is the cherry on top of his 1920s gangster costume.

He brims with manic energy, like he’s having trouble standing still. With anyone else, I might blame substances. But from what I can tell from our brief interactions, Mad-dog Madox is always like this.

“A mobster?” I snicker. “Bit on the nose, no?”

He props the gun against his shoulder, puffing a fat cigar. “Why, Sadie, what have you heard about my family?”

On second look, the gun is real.

Madox’s date hangs back, a gorgeous redhead wearing a vintage fur coat over lingerie.

“I wasn’t checking for him,” I say.

“Really?” Cigar smoke billows from Madox’s nostrils like he’s a dragon. “Then why are you hanging out up here alone, looking sadder than a Victorian tragedy?”

“It’s Halloween.” I shrug, my wings moving with my shoulders. “I can look as tragic as I like.”

Madox winks. “Yeah, well, that guy you aren’t checking for had a business thing with his dad today in the city. Said he won’t be back in time for the party.”

My wings droop. “Oh.”

Madox’s gaze moves to the heaving dance floor below. His date, apparently losing the will to wait for him, wanders off.

I follow his line of vision. “Is it Clara or Juliette you’re perving on?”

“Pfft,” he says. “I didn’t even know she was coming. What is she, a mermaid?”

“Clara then. You’re perving on Clara.”

He gives me a deadpan look. “You think you’re clever, huh?”

I hold up my hands in surrender. “Hey, if you want Clara, go for it. She’s amazing.”

“You must be kidding.” Madox sucks his teeth. “Clara is Reeve’s sweet little sister. Apple of his eye. He’d kill me if I tried anything, but only after their father cut off my hands and dick.”

“Is their father really that bad? I haven’t met him.”

Madox puts on an old-timey voice. “Doll, he makes King Kong look like a kitten.”

Someone lets off firecrackers inside, sparks skittering across the high ceiling. Madox’s date squeals and runs back to him for cover.

I take the opportunity to head down a hallway alone, strongly suspecting that Lucan told Madox to keep an eye on me.

I’m perfectly okay though, on the outside at least. On the inside, my heart throbs like a wound.

In the ballroom, an impromptu boxing match takes place. Two men pummel each other with their fists under chandeliers. Costumed students circle them, hollering.

Going downstairs to the ground floor, I decide I’m done. I’ve made enough effort to be social and pretend I’m okay for one night. All I feel like doing is returning to my dorm and curling up in bed with a book and hot cocoa.

Clara and Juliette are nowhere to be found when I do a quick lap around the dance floor. I’m relieved though, because I’d hate to be a downer when they were so excited about the party. I’ll message them instead, and see them back at the dorm.

My breath fogs in the cold when I step outside. A wolf howls close by, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.