Page 22 of Brutal Titan

Victoria

Sullenly, I step into my closet, clutching the towel around my nude body as I make my walk to the back wall. Pulling open one of the built-in drawers, I grab a bra and underwear and let the towel drop to the floor. Pulling on the undergarments, I walk to the side wall, snatching down each piece of freshly pressed clothing needed to complete Golden Olympus’s required uniform. I mechanically go through the motions of slipping the shirt on before tugging the pleated skirt up.

Thankfully it’s finally Friday, so it won’t be the required wear for two whole days. The week had gone by uneventfully, rather mundane actually, considering the incidents of the weekend. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I figured Elliot would be pissed and would waste no time giving me hell. Instead, he’s completely ignored me. Well, except for a few times when I’d looked to him and found his eyes intent on me before flashing a devilish smile my way. Each time, he’d given me the feeling that the thoughts behind the façade were anything but pleased with me. I’d wanted to go to his house, crawl in his bed, and feel safe in his arms, but I couldn’t. And I’ve spent every day since Sunday wondering what would’ve happened between us if I had.

The sound of the closet door clicking closed breaks through my musing, and I turn to look. Before I can, I’m hauled backwards, a hand clasping over my mouth, smothering my scream. I’m held against a solid body, one I’d recognize the feel and smell of anywhere. His front is pressed against my back; we’re molded together from hips to shoulders. His hand comes off my mouth for a fraction of a second as he spins me to face him. My stomach drops at Elliot’s furious face. There’s no evidence of a smile as he walks me backward until I’m up against the smooth surface of the wall.

“Scream and I’ll let you explain why I’m in here,” he removes his hand from my mouth.

“What are you doing in here?” Frantically, my mind tries to comprehend what’s going on as he leans forward, pressing his body against me, reminding me why I didn’t trust myself to be alone with him. His fingers snake around the damp skin of my neck.

His eyes look to my neck as his finger twirls a wet strand of hair that’s fallen from my messy bun. His intent glare returns to me, and speaking harshly, he asks, “Who’s the coward now?”

I begin to speak as he surges forward, his face inches from mine as his hand grips the back of my neck. “Now you want to explain? You had every opportunity to but chose to hide away like a scared little bitch.”

Flinching at his words, I look away but he moves with my eyeline, keeping his face in front of mine, his eyes directly aligned with mine. I snap my eyes shut, not wanting to see the bastard in front of me. The gentle person who’d kissed me, held me, seemed so far away it felt like a dream. This is why I hadn’t shown up that night. This is exactly why I know I made the right decision, even if it had been agonizing beyond belief to send my brother instead of going to him myself. Opening my eyes, I see his wicked glower still on me. “Let me go.”

The fury in his face fades some but only slightly as he asks, “Why did you tell him about my nightmares? It wasn’t your place to say anything. Sending him to babysit me while you hide away …”

“You needed your best friend, not me.” The words escape in shaky breaths as his hand loosens from my neck, dropping down to his side as he takes a calculated step back.

Tilting his head as his devilish grin returns. “That’s one thing we can agree on—I don’t need you.”

“So it shouldn’t be that difficult to stay the hell out of my closet … and my life.”

I go to move away from him as his harsh grip captures my arm, holding me in place as he says, “Why would I make it easy on you?”

Anger and misery claw at my heart as I search the face of the deviant I recognize all too well. “Nothing about this is easy.”

His brutal mask slips for a moment as he feathers his lips over mine, his fingertips trailing up my thigh as his hand grips my ass, holding me in place as he presses against me. “Nice try.”

Remaining in place, I watch as he leaves just as suddenly as he appeared. I don’t know if I made the right choice by sending Asher, but I’m certain staying away was the best decision.

Methodically, I finish getting dressed, moving faster than normal as I want to leave before I see him again. But that doesn’t happen. When I step into the kitchen, he’s leaning against the island.

Ignoring the menacing smirk from Elliot, I walk through the kitchen to the garage, dropping into my car. Why did I think he would just let it go? I know Elliot better than that and getting far away from him is my only desire at the moment. I attempt to start up my car, but it remains silent. Looking towards the door, I spot Elliot leaning against the doorframe with the same menacing smirk. Bastard.

“Fix it. Whatever you did to my car, undo it.”

“Why would I do anything to your car?” he snickers.

Asher steps around the idiot, moving to his car and yanking his door open. “Get in or you could always ask Mom for a ride.”

Letting out a frustrated breath, I march over to Asher’s car, pulling the door open as Elliot pushes off the doorframe. “See ya at Java Knox.”

Slamming the door, I look over to my brother who remains emotionless, not realizing that his BFF is the bane of my existence. “I don’t want to stop for coffee. Just drop me off at school. It’s right across the street.”

Asher glances to me, a strange look on his face. “You sure? Seems like you could use a little caffeine.”

“You’re only going because Quinn has been there every morning with Grant.”

I’m met with a furious glare as his grip tightens on the steering wheel, confirming my suspicion. Little does Asher know, I’ve kept a closer eye on Quinn than he has because I truly know what a vile monster Grant is.

Unconsciously, my hands pull my skirt down as I stare out the window.

Moments later, Asher turns the opposite way of the school, pulling into the parking lot of Java Knox. “Damn it, Asher. It’s literally across the street! Why can’t you just drop me off first?”

Asher shoves at his door, stepping out without a word. Throwing my door open, I bail from the car, slamming it shut behind me. “You’re such a jackass!”