Descent (Gallows Hill #2)

7. Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Skyla

W hen I woke up the next morning, Vincent was gone. He told me he would have to leave, but a small part of me hoped he wouldn’t. I know that’s dumb, but I don’t care.

Last night was incredible. It was everything my first time should have been. It’s only mildly surprising that it came from, easily, my most broken boy. It makes sense, though. Of course, he is the one who would know how to put my shattered pieces back together. To fix what he never broke.

I’m ready for the day and I step out of my bedroom when I bump into something hard. Correction, someone. Looking up, I see Asher standing before me, his hands gripping my biceps so I don’t fall. Though I’m not so sure it’s to keep me from falling, because the way he is gripping me feels a lot more like he wants to take the opportunity to hurt me.

It is his favorite past time.

Ripping away from his touch, he lets me go easily as I look up at him. His hair is messier than usual, a lack of fire to those hazel eyes, with deep dark circles surrounding them.

“You look like shit,” I say flatly, running my eyes over him.

He just blinks at me, his tone and emotions unmoving as he speaks.

“Couldn’t sleep with the porno being made in your room.”

I scoff at that and turn on my heel, making my way down the stairs. Fuck him. Good, I’m glad I kept him up all night. My only regret is that I wasn’t louder.

As soon as my feet touch the bottom step, a knock comes from the front door. I open it to reveal a smiling Wesley. He’s in another long-sleeved black dress shirt, with the first two buttons undone, and a pair of black slacks. He seems way overdressed for a driver, but looks nice, nonetheless.

Those deep blue eyes lock onto mine as he holds out a coffee cup in offering.

“Good morning, Miss Parris. I wasn’t sure how you took your coffee, so I went with a vanilla latte.”

“She hates lattes. She prefers apple cider,” Asher snaps as he comes up to stand behind me, his eyes raking over Wesley. “And it’s Mrs. Putnam. Who the fuck are you?”

I turn around to look at him, disgust hopefully readable on my face before I turn to face Wesley. To my surprise, he doesn’t back down. Instead, he levels Asher with an unimpressed stare.

“Has it been that long, Ash? You don’t recognize me?”

Asher’s eyes squint for a moment before surprise fills them.

“Wesley.”

He nods his head. “See you grew up to be the little shit you’ve always been.”

A laugh escapes me, unable to hold it in.

“No truer words have been spoken. Thank you, by the way. I don’t hate lattes, I just usually take my coffee black, or lately I have preferred cider, but you don’t have to get me coffee in the mornings.”

Wesley hands it to me with a nod before handing me a small bag.

“I also figured you’d be hungry, so I got you a couple things. Whatever you don’t eat, I will, trust me,” he says, as he smacks his hand on his rock-hard stomach.

I smile in thanks when Asher cuts in, yet again.

“Why are you getting her coffee?”

Wesley’s brows dip slightly. “Ronan didn’t tell you? I’m her driver.”

“Since when?” Asher challenges.

“Since yesterday. Ronan said she didn’t drive and would need a driver for the foreseeable future.”

“And that person is you?” Asher asks dubiously.

“Hence the car and the coffee, yes,” Wesley answers flatly.

Oh, I like him.

“She can ride with me,” Asher says with narrowed eyes.

“No need. I’m here. Ready, Miss Parris?” Wesley smiles.

I nod, taking a step out of the door before Asher can say something else asinine. Wesley follows closely and I hear Asher call out.

“It’s fucking Putnam!”

“Not legally!” I counter, as Wesley opens the door for me.

I hear Asher say something else but can’t quite tell what it was, nor do I care. Wesley shuts the door once I’m inside the car, before hopping into the driver’s seat and taking off. We drive in silence for a few minutes, me taking a few sips of my coffee and eating half the bagel he brought me before he speaks.

“So, you and Asher are married?”

I hesitate to respond, worried about getting in trouble so I keep things vague.

“We had our ceremony on the thirty first.”

His deep blue eyes meet mine in the rear-view mirror, and I don’t miss the grimace on his face.

“I’m sorry.”

Surprise hits me first, well, he obviously knows what that entails. I nod in response as he continues driving.

“I know he’s a little shit, but you could have been paired with worse. He’ll protect you.”

I let out a bitter laugh as I keep my eyes towards the window.

“Who will protect me from him, though?”

“I can,” he says easily.

I give him a tight-lipped smile. It’s nice that he thinks that, no matter how wrong he is.

“Or maybe Ronan could.”

I jerk at that comment, my eyes flying to his. He’s watching me with a careful gaze, like he’s testing the waters.

“He’s not subtle. He all but gave himself away the moment I saw you two next to each other. Then, speech after speech about how important it was that I keep you safe when you’re under my care drove it home.”

Fucking lovable idiot.

“I assume Asher doesn’t know about his uncle and his wife?”

“Actually, he does,” I answer. “No one else does though, so your discretion would be—”

“Life saving?” he guesses. “You don’t have to worry about me. With the work I did, I’m used to operating on a need-to-know basis.”

I nod, slightly relieved but still very much on edge. I need to talk to Ronan, immediately. I pull out my phone, typing out a message that we need to talk when Wesley continues.

“Wow,” he murmurs to himself.

“What?”

He shakes his head. “I’m just surprised Asher is willing to share you. Kinda kinky.”

My eyes widen at that, and he smirks.

“Sorry. Intrusive thoughts. Shutting up now.”

Thankfully, we’re pulling up to Gallows Hill in the next moment and he throws the car into park before opening my door. I slide out, thanking him as he wishes me a good day before I begin making my way through the courtyard.

It only takes me five steps to see Liam waiting for me, his sunshine smile on full display as he sees me. He pulls me in for a hug, releasing me faster than I’d like as he whispers into my ear.

“Good morning, babygirl.”

“Good morning. I missed you yesterday.”

He pulls away with a sad smile and nods.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be there with you, but I’ll come over today. How does that sound?”

“Sounds perfect.” I smile as we begin walking to our first class, our fingers brushing against each other every few steps like they always do.

Suddenly, Vincent pops up out of nowhere, falling in step with us as his hand brushes against my other.

“Morning, Siren.”

“Morning,” I say, heat rushing to my cheeks as I look at him.

His silver eyes are softer this morning, not nearly as cold and sharp. There is the tiniest smile playing at the corner of his mouth and a warmth about him, that has me desperate to bury myself against him. I don’t realize how long I’m staring, before Liam murmurs low enough for just the three of us to hear.

“No. Fucking. Way. Did you two fuck and not invite me?” he asks, half in disbelief and half in disappointment.

Vincent and I share a look before he punches Liam in the arm.

“Watch your mouth around my woman, Walcott.”

Liam scoffs. “She’s not your woman, she’s ours, get used to it. Also, she loves my mouth. Don’t you babygirl?”

“Occasionally,” I say with sly smile.

He clutches his chest dramatically and shakes his head.

“You wound me. Alright, that’s it. My turn next. Tell Ronan he can get in line.”

“She isn’t a goddamn carnival ride,” Vincent gnashes.

“Of course not,” Liam scoffs. “She’s much better, I’m sure. Can you confirm?” he says, holding out an invisible microphone to Vincent.

Vincent slaps Liam’s hand away, giving my hip a light squeeze before heading towards his class. Actually, now that I think about it, he doesn’t have his first class until ten. I wonder what he does all morning.

When Liam and I make our way into class, we head for the very back, per usual, where Maggie is waiting for us. I slide in beside her and Liam takes the aisle seat next to me. His hand automatically goes to my thigh, gripping it tightly as he smiles down at me. I smile at him before turning to see Maggie watching me with a shit-eating grin.

“So, how was your weekend? I tried to come by your room yesterday, but you weren’t in.”

My smile falls and my voice lowers as I speak.

“I’m not staying on campus anymore.”

She frowns at that. “Why not?”

“Asher and I are living together now.”

“Oh,” she says, with a knowing smile. “That’s nice.”

My frown turns bitter as I shake my head.

“No, it isn’t.”

Maggie’s smile drops along with her eyebrows. She looks between Liam and I, neither of us meeting her gaze. I wouldn’t blame her for being confused. The last she knew, Asher and I were getting cozy on the Ferris Wheel at the fall carnival, falling for each other hard and fast. If only she knew I was the only one doing the falling.

I can feel Maggie’s eyes on me, and she is very clearly not going to drop this, so Liam intervenes.

“He hurt her, bad. We fucking hate him now.”

“We? As in, you too, Walcott?”

“As in me fucking three,” Liam practically growls. “Motherfucker,” he grumbles under his breath.

“Wow. I’m so sorry, babe. I’m with Walcott. Dumb motherfucker,” Maggie joins in, heat in her tone in an instant.

I can’t help but let out a short laugh as I shake my head.

“I love you, Mags.”

“Love you too, babe. No one messes with my girl. Does that mean a spot in your harem opened up?”

“Hmm, what do you think, Liam? Can we make room?” I ask with a teasing smile.

His eyes darken, and he physically adjusts his cock in his pants.

“Don’t tease me, babygirl. I’ll strip you naked right here and shove Bartlett’s face right into your pussy.”

“Shit,” Maggie huffs. “I’m in. What do you say, Skyla?” she asks, resting her hand on my bare thigh, teasing her fingers on the inside of it before coming to my panty line.

“I say I’ve got enough boyfriends,” I laugh.

“But not nearly enough girlfriends,” she taunts as her finger pushes a half an inch further, forcing me to squirm. I’d like to say it’s an uncomfortable squirm, but honestly, I can feel my panties becoming wet, so who really knows?

Maggie’s eyes stay on mine, a look of intrigue in them as her fingers play with the silky material. I feel Liam’s eyes on us, or rather under my skirt, as Maggie continues resting her fingers against me. I swallow roughly and she watches the action before a cocky smile spreads across her face and she pulls away, leaning back into her chair casually.

“Fuck,” Liam rasps. “I agree. Bring more girlfriends on.”

I scoff, shaking off whatever the hell that just was.

“You are the weirdest boyfriend ever. It’s one thing to be okay with sharing, but it’s like you want to see me fuck everyone who ever said hello to me.”

Liam shakes his head. “I want to see you in pleasure always, baby. I like seeing you be with anyone that can give you that pleasure and take care of you. You know I’m just messing with you. But seriously, I don’t share you because I think it’s hot, I do it because I literally get off on your pleasure.”

My eyes are heavy on his, flicking back and forth between those fields of green. The classroom door shuts, and Professor Corwin grabs the class’s attention, effectively breaking our eye contact. I feel Liam’s hand squeeze against my thigh, like he’s reaffirming that he meant it before Professor Corwin begins outlining our next project requirements.