Kane decided she was on a death wish and the more I thought about it, I didn’t think he was too far from the truth, but that was why I had to save her. Not only from the Dark King we knew was so close but also from her own destruction.
She’d soon need me, more than she could ever realise because we would be together. And more than anything else, Clay couldn’t shield her forever from the Dark King, powerful spells or not.
She turned the key and clicked the ignition off, threw one leg over the seat, and walked into the studio for tonight’s dance class.
I blinked hard and took one long sigh before I followed her in.
I strode over to her when I saw her in the dressing room. She was pulling her leathers off and she looked so fucking sexy. I wanted to run my hands all over her body. She turned her head—feeling my presence—as she should. Her eyes widened.
“I need to speak to you,” I said.
“About what?”
“Us.”
Lacey smirked. “That’s a shame. I don’t need to speak to you because there is no us.” She turned her head. I reached out my arm and it landed with a heaviness on her shoulder. She glared at my hand.
“Please give me five minutes,” I said, a softness to my voice.
She lifted my hand off her shoulder and pushed it away. “Get off me. We have nothing to talk about.”
“Your uncle called me. He is fuming with me for not protecting you. You said you would call.”
“There was nothing to call you about. I have a feeling something is going to happen. You know I’ve seen a vision of a man,” she said, shrugging one shoulder. “What else can I say to you?”
“I’m going to suggest to Clay that you come and live with me,” I said.
“Don’t you dare. I’m fine where I am,” she hissed.
“Lacey…”
“No Carter, I’m not scared. I know something is going to happen. I can feel it, but I can deal with it myself.”
“You can’t do everything, Lacey. You will need some help. There are ways to strengthen you.”
She narrowed her eyes at me.
“Probably best if you speak to your uncle about that,” I said, because damned if I was going to be in the shit with Clayton Summer for telling his niece that piece of news.
“I’m going to visit him soon.” She nodded and took her leggings and leotard from her bag. I watched as she pulled them onto her body and covered her plain black underwear.
I followed her as she strode out of the changing rooms of the dance studio, placing her bag on the bench. “You know I really am sorry,” I whispered. “I thought I lost my mind that night when I thought I cheated on you. I was angry at first and then I tried to block it out because I didn’t want to remember it. Finally, my mother told me the truth, then I spoke to Clay.”
Lacey shook her head. “I haven’t spoken to Clay yet, but if it isn’t true, then tell me why it isn’t.”
“I can’t. Speak to Clay,” I replied.
“Then it still happened until I know different,” she said. “That night ruined my life.”
I paced around and rubbed my temples, trying so damn hard to stop a sigh from escaping my mouth. Probably also to stop me from screaming at her, because she frustrated me like no other person ever could. “I know you're going through hell because of that night.”
She let out a sigh that told me she heard it all before. But this time, she was going to hear it properly. “This isn’t you. Trying to get back at me and I get it. You’re hurting, but this isn’t you. You are acting out, you’re frustrated, angry, sad…” I paused for a beat and swallowed. “I don’t know what it feels like to lose…”
“Carter, stop.” She spun to face me, tears in her eyes, and for the first time, stopped and looked at me. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, Lacey. Truly, I’m sorry for what happened and I’m also sorry you had an argument with your parents that night. But I’m not sorry you didn’t die.” I swallowed. “I love you, Lacey. And I know you don’t believe me, but I am going to prove it to you and prove I didn’t cheat on you.”
“Carter.” She closed her eyes and stroked her fingertips over her temple. “I’ve kissed your friends.”