The Fallen Ones (Holloway University #1)

46. Damien

Chapter 46

Damien

“ W hat’s the plan?” I asked as I sat forward in my seat at Caleb’s place on Christmas Eve. “We going to her? I can’t fucking stand another minute of being away.”

“I’m ready. Whatever she tells us, we need to do this. It’s been over two weeks. We agreed at Christmas,” Jace said. “It’s time, man.”

We both looked to Caleb who hadn’t said much since we’d arrive an hour ago. We’d have been there sooner, but Caleb had some family bullshit he had to do first. It was why it was eleven at night and we were still trying to sort shit out.

“Caleb?” I called out. “We doing this?”

“Yeah.” He rubbed his eyes. “Yeah. I’m just nervous.”

“You think we aren’t?” Jace asked.

I scoffed. “I’m not nervous. She either wants us or she doesn’t. We need to know though. I’m sick of worrying about it.”

That much was true. I’d barely slept a wink since she’d been hurt. I spent a lot of time annoying Caleb with texts, asking how she was. If she needed anything. What I could do. I’d been the one to grab Jace and make him come with me every night to deliver food to her door while she recovered with Caleb there. I was sure he played it off like he’d put in orders so he didn’t need to explain why random food kept turning up, but that shit was all my idea.

“Damien is right. It’s time.” Jace got up. “You think she’s asleep?”

Caleb nodded and grabbed his mask. “Yeah. She texted me while I was at my parents’ and told me she was going to bed. That was nearly two hours ago.”

“Then let’s fucking do this shit. I’m done waiting.” I pushed past the guys and went to the door.

They followed me outside and to my car. I’d wanted so much to check on Lily while she was recovering. I was the fucking pre-med major. I should have been the one with her, but I’d relented, knowing she’d probably fare a bit better with Caleb. Because I didn’t want her distressed further, I’d agreed to it, but fuck, it killed me inside.

As for Brandon, I wanted him to die twice. I hated that little cocksucker and was glad he burned to death. It was far too kind a death for a monster like him. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat but with added tools, like maybe a chainsaw and pliers.

“What will we do if she tells us to fuck off?” Caleb asked, his voice thick.

“Then we fuck off,” Jace said. “Although I really hope she doesn’t.”

I said nothing. I wasn’t going to fuck off. Whatever I had to do to prove to her I was worth the chance, I’d do it.

I’d even try to win her over for the guys because it meant that much to me. I wasn’t going to tell them that though.

We rode the rest of the way in silence. When we pulled up to her apartment, we pulled our masks and beanies on and went to her door. I made to pick the lock, but Caleb pulled a key out and opened the door instead.

“When did you get a key?” I asked.

“I’ve always had it.”

“So why the fuck did I pick the lock before?”

He shrugged. “Made it more authentic and gave you practice, you fucking felon.”

“Asshole,” I muttered at him.

Jace chuckled softly as we stepped into her apartment.

I thought for sure she’d be in bed. Instead, she was beneath the Christmas tree curled into a ball. I went to my knees immediately and stared at her. She looked so much better than the last time I’d seen her. The bruising had all but faded from her pretty face, at least from what I could tell from the Christmas lights. Her lip was no longer swollen.

The guys moved to kneel beside me.

“She looks loads better,” Jace commented softly.

“Told you she’s OK.” I could hear the smile in Caleb’s voice as we continued to watch her sleep. The urge to fuck her raw was there for me, but the desire to hold her close and tell her I loved her was stronger.

“How should we do this?” I asked.

“Let’s just wake her,” Jace said.

Deciding I wanted to at least kiss her once more before she saw who I was, I moved so I was beneath the tree with her. It was awkward, but I made it work.

Gently, I brushed my lips against hers. When she didn’t move, I deepened the kiss until her lashes fluttered and I was met with the gray of her eyes.

Her breath caught as she stared at me.

“Merry Christmas,” I said in a rough voice.

“You’re here,” she managed to say.

I said nothing as she studied me for a moment before she slid out from beneath the tree to look at Caleb and Jace.

“You’re all here,” she said, her eyes wide. “I-I have an answer for you. It’s yes. I want you all. I don’t want to pick one.”

“Greedy girl.” I chuckled softly, ecstatic at her answer.

She licked her lips as I went to kneel next to Jace so the three of us were in a line in front of her.

“We want you too,” Jace said, his voice low.

Her eyes sparkled at his words. “Do I get to know who you are?”

“If you want a more permeant relationship, you can unmask us,” I said, figuring it was the best way to go about it. We’d let her choose who she wanted to see first.

“Oh my god.” She bit her bottom lip and shifted forward, going for Caleb first. I held my breath as she reached out and trailed her fingers down his mask. He was visibly tense as she lifted the mask, pulling it off his face.

The mask fell to the floor as she stared at him, complete shock on her face.

No one said a word as she stared.

“C-Caleb?” she finally choked out.

“Hey, Lil bit,” he murmured.

“Y-You’re one of the Fallen Ones?”

He nodded wordlessly.

She continued to stare at him, so many emotions washing over her face I was nervous on which one she’d settle on.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. I didn’t know if you’d even want me?—”

She fell into his arms, her lips fused to his. He immediately wrapped her in a tight embrace, kissing her deeply.

I smiled, letting out a breath of relief. She wasn’t pissed at him. In fact, she seemed rather happy. That lessened my worries just a bit.

She broke away from him, and he cradled her face.

“We’ll tell you everything once you know who we are.”

She nodded at his words and broke away from him to go to Jace.

Jace stared back at her as she studied him for a long time. Finally, she reached forward and removed his mask.

A gasp left her as she realized who it was.

“I-I can’t… Jace? How? Why? Oh my god.” She backed away, covering her face.

“Lily Pad,” he said in an urgent voice. “Don’t…don’t go.” He went forward and grabbed her before dragging her against him. “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t let you go. I love you too goddamn much to ever let you go. Please… I need you. This was the only way I could have you. I’m so fucking sorry?—”

“Just shut up,” she whispered as she stared up at him.

He snapped his mouth closed, so much worry on his face. It made my nerves kick back up again as I watched her study him.

Finally, she brushed her lips against his, her forehead and his touching as she stayed that way.

“I was hoping you were one of them,” she finally said softly. “I can’t believe you are.”

“Fuck, baby.” He tilted her chin up and crushed his lips against hers, kissing her deeply. They wound themselves together, a tangle of arms and tongues while Caleb and I watched.

Two for two so far.

I wasn’t a nervous guy. Ever. But this had me ready to fucking vomit everywhere.

She pulled away from Jace, her cheeks pink, and came to me. She reached out, not hesitating, and I grabbed her hand to stop her, locked in my own personal hell as fear gripped me.

We stared one another down for a moment before she pushed her hand forward. I didn’t fight her. I let her reach out and remove my mask, my heart hammering wildly. She let the mask fall to the floor as she stared up at me.

“Big brother,” she finally said, her voice husky and filled with an emotion I couldn’t quite place.

“Baby sister,” I answered back, continuing to stare into her pretty eyes. “My little devil.”

She nodded. “I am.”

And that was it. She was in my arms, clinging to me, her lips pressed firmly against mine. And I ate it all up like the starved monster I was.