The Girl He Marked

Chapter 16

Lexi's POV.

I'm silent on the ride home, luckily Aria thinks I'm just shocked from being chased and doesn't ask

questions. I manage to fake a smile when she says goodbye and then fall on my bed, completely

exhausted after today's events. I just wish I had someone to talk to about what's happening, I don't feel

like my friends will understand. My parents are the last people I'd tell; they would never understand.

My phone starts ringing next to me and I sigh when I see Rixon calling. I ignore it and grab some of my

stuff to spend the night at my parent's. He won't try and sneak in to see me there and I can have

tonight to think things over.

I thought that I'd lie awake for ages, replaying the day's events in my head, but as soon as I get into

bed, I'm out.

The next morning, I check my phone and grimace as I see more missed calls from Rixon and a couple

of texts. The last of which being 'Talk to me, you said you'd give us a chance.' I sigh heavily and put the

phone down, deciding to take a shower.

Images of Rixon shooting that man fill my mind, I squeeze my eyes shut and turn the water

temperature higher, hoping to burn away the memory. I step out of the shower as red as a lobster and

get ready for the day.

I have breakfast with my parents, leaving my phone upstairs, when I check it after, there are more

missed calls and another text from Rixon; 'Answer your fucking phone, we need to talk.' I frown,

annoyed that he's swearing at me. I throw my phone back on the bed and head downstairs.

I knock on the office door and wait for dad to call out, when he does, I step inside to find him hunched

over his desk, head in his hands.

'What's up' I ask worriedly and he looks up at me, his face filled with stress.

'There's just so much to do this morning, your mother is out negotiating with a nearby pack, and I've got

a ton of work to do, and the guards are expecting their lunch in ten minutes,' he explains, glancing

anxiously at his watch.

'I'll bring the guards their lunch,' I offer, and Dad considers it for a moment.

'No, I don't want you near the border, there was a trespasser last week,' he replies, and I know he

means Rixon and his brother.

'Oh for goodness sake Dad it's fine, it was a week ago and they never came back, they were just

passing through like I said,' I tell him and head out of the office before he can argue.

I enter the kitchen and quickly make up some sandwiches. Grabbing everything, I carry out their lunch

through the trees to the border. When I arrive, the two patrol guards for today are waiting by the guard

tower for their lunch. I give them their sandwiches and make my way back towards the house.

Suddenly, I'm grabbed by my waist and pressed against a tree. My eyes widen as I look up and meet

the smoldering, dark eyes of Rixon.

'Miss me' He asks huskily, before I have time to answer, he leans down and presses his soft, skillful lips

to mine. My arms eagerly reach up and wrap around his neck, pulling me closer so that our chests

touch. I then remember why I've been ignoring him and quickly change my actions, pressing against

his chest to push him away from me. He pulls back and frowns.

'What is up with you' He asks, and for a second, I feel guilty when I see the hurt look on his face.

'I saw you shoot that man yesterday,' I comment, and he sighs heavily.

'That man wasn't innocent Lex, to be targeted by us, you have to have done something wrong,' he

explains but his words offer little comfort.

'I just wish I hadn't seen it,' I whisper, and he reaches out for me, pulling me against his warm, delicious

chest. His scent surrounds me, and I close my eyes, realizing that he has rapidly become my happy

place.

'You don't have to accept my job Lex, just accept me, I'm tired of fighting for this. I'll fight for us forever,

but I don't want to have to,' he admits, and I hold him tighter.

'I know, I've been unfair to you, I'm sorry,' I apologize, and he kisses the top of my head. I smile at the

sweet gesture.

'I can't stay long, I just wanted to see you seeing as you've been ignoring me,' he says and I pull back,

smiling sheepishly.

'Sorry, I'll reply from now on,' I laugh, and he rolls his eyes at me. We say goodbye and I walk back to

my house, sad that I couldn't see him for longer. He texts me later on, and this time I actually reply.

The next day, I'm helping Dad out in the office when Mum returns from the shops, her arms full of bags

of food.

'We're having a get—together this afternoon, pick something pretty to wear,' she tells me as she

recruits Dad to cook.

'Why' I ask, sensing something suspicious in her actions. My suspicions are confirmed when she

smiles brightly.

'I have some boys coming round, you need to pick one as your date for the ball,' she says, flipping her

hair over her shoulder and strutting out of the office.

'She's mental,' I turn to Dad, and he just shrugs at me.

'I'm not taking one of her bloody suitors,' I snap and storm out of the office. I march over to my house

and look in my wardrobe for something to wear. I'm not going to pick any of those guys she's invited

round, but I'm seeing Rixon later and I want to look good. I choose a white dress and fix my make—up.

Not long after, the scent of a barbeque tempts me outside.