CHAPTER NINE
The warning
Jayden's flat was chillier now.
Although she was curled about him, body to body, still shivering from the storm they'd just released in the living room room floor—she couldn't be still.
"She took that picture from outside, Jayden," Ella said. "She was here."
"I know."
His tone was husky. Even. Lethal.
She hugged the blanket closer about her, aware of how exposed she was. "What can she do?
Jayden didn't reply immediately.
"She attempted to burn my car once," he replied at last.
Ella blinked. "What?"
"She spray-painted 'LIAR' on the hood first. Then she poured gas all over the interior. Luckily, I caught her before she could strike the match."
Ella stood up straighter. "And you never reported it to the police?"
"I did," he said. "But her parents have connections. They made it go away."
"So what now?" she asked. "What if she's watching again? What if she's… already in here?"
Jayden got to his feet, picked up his shirt, and disappeared into the bedroom. A few moments later, he emerged with a tiny black gun. It rested firmly in his hand.
"Now," he said, "we prepare."
Ella looked at the gun, recalled suddenly that this was no longer sloppy. This was dangerous. Real.
And yet… she wasn't going anywhere.
She moved toward him. Her hand swept across his chest, fingers tracing down his abdomen, slow, gritty.
"You frighten me," she breathed. "But I don't want to leave."
Jayden stared at her as if she was the only light remaining in his universe. "You don't belong here."
"I don't care."
He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her tight. "Then I'm not releasing you."
His lips slammed against hers—hard, desperate.
There was nothing soft about this moment.
He tilted her over the table, ripped down her panties, and mounted her from behind. Fast. Hard. Her moans were hot and high, bouncing off the walls.
"Say my name," he snarled.
"Jayden."
"louder."
"Jayden!"
He wrapped his hand around her throat, his fingers light, as he drove her harder, his other hand grasping her hip as if he needed her to anchor him.
And she did.
When they were done, both gasping and trembling, Jayden didn't wake up immediately.
Rather, he kissed the shoulder and stated, "There's something I didn't tell you."
Ella rolled her face, cautious. "What now?"
"She's not mad that I left her. She's mad because… she never wanted to let me go. She believes we're supposed to be together."
Ella's heart dropped. "She wants you back?"
No, Jayden responded icily. "She wants both of us to burn."
That evening, Ella lay awake—eyes fixed on the window, hand on Jayden's c
hest, pounding heart.
She had learned now: this was not taboo.
This was war.