By the time Conor and I reached the guys, Jolo immediately handed me a beer.
"We thought Conor was bluffing when he said you'd come," he said, as if we were close friends.
I offered only a faint, strained smile before sitting next to a girl who looked about eighteen. Another, older-looking woman sat beside her, both strangers to me. Conor took the seat next to me and was handed a drink too.
"I'm not bragging, dude," Conor said with a laugh, shrugging.
I couldn't tell why, but since leaving Topher behind, I felt a strange detachment from myself. His words kept looping in my mind, and I found myself constantly glancing toward Leo and the people he was talking to.
So, he was serious about me? Impossible… Still, I couldn't imagine Topher lying. But even then…
"…Leo just caught a grenade for you. He killed Carlos using PCP, and he's even willing to face Dad's wrath just to save you."
I remembered what Max had said. Could that be what he meant? Leo literally took a grenade for me—and faced his father's fury? My frustration bubbled, and I downed the beer in one go. The girl beside me immediately handed me another bottle.
"One more?" she asked with a smile, extending her hand.
I forced a smile and took it. I caught her smirk toward Conor but ignored it. Tipsy, yes, but far too distracted by my own swirling thoughts to track how much I had drunk. By memory, I'd already finished four bottles.
"You seem tense," Conor whispered close to my ear. The music blared in the bar, yet his proximity made my skin crawl.
"Keep your distance. I'm not deaf," I shot back coldly.
Leo drew my attention again when the man he was negotiating with stood. Their deal seemed done, and they were leaving. Some of Leo's client's men and his own team exited before him, but Leo paused, catching my gaze.
I saw the crease of his brow when he noticed me staring. He glanced briefly at my companions but then returned his attention to his departing associates. He smiled, nodded, and gave one last glance my way before walking off. I turned my attention back to my beer.
"You've been quiet all this time, Xena. Ready to head back to school?" Conor asked after a few moments.
I nodded, almost automatically. "I think I should go."
I set the bottle down. A slight dizziness hit me, but I pushed myself to stand—until Conor grabbed my wrist, preventing me from leaving.
"I'll take you," he offered.
"I can manage," I said, but before I could continue, Kevin pressed a last shot into my hand.
"Wait. Xena, one last shot before you go," he said, grinning broadly, flushed from the alcohol.
I tried to refuse, but Conor insisted. "Yeah. Last shot!"
Sighing, I gave in. Tipsy or not, this wouldn't put me over the edge. I downed it quickly, and they all cheered. I just rolled my eyes. There was nothing exciting about this.
"Nice," Jolo commented, glancing meaningfully at Conor. "You should get Xena home, dude. It's late. Dangerous."
Conor winked at them and placed a hand on my waist as if claiming me for the ride. Before I could push him away, a sharp tug on my arm stopped him.
"Get your fucking hand off her," Leo growled, eyes blazing.
All five froze. Jolo stood, trying to intervene, but Leo shoved Conor back and positioned himself in front of me. "What are you doing?"
Jolo hesitated, unsure how to pry Leo off Conor. I felt a twinge of dizziness and pressed my palm to my forehead. Watching them square off was thrilling… yet my body felt weak, unsteady.
"Chill, dude. I'm taking her back to Oxemburge," Conor said, defusing the tension slightly.
Leo glared, ready to strike, until I gripped his arm. "Let's go," I murmured, half-closing my eyes.
Leo released Conor, scanning the three men before taking my hand and leading me out. My head spun as we approached his car, but I managed to look up at him.
"Why are you with Conor? You know them?" Leo demanded sharply.
"Leo, can you just take me back to the dorm first?" I asked.
"Answer me first! Do you know him? He's Amber's cousin!"
I frowned. Conor was Amber's cousin? My teeth sank into my lip.
"Damn you, Conor—" I whispered, collapsing into Leo's arms.
Something felt wrong. From the moment I met him until now, his actions had always seemed off. The looks the guys exchanged as they handed me drinks… now it made sense.
"Xena?" Leo's hand tapped my cheek. I couldn't move.
"C-Conor… I think he drugged me," I muttered faintly.
"What?" Leo's voice was sharp. I saw the crease in his brow, the tight line of his jaw. He wanted to go back inside and confront Conor. I wanted that too—but not yet.
"Dorm," I said again, trying to stand. My knees buckled, and Leo lifted me into the front seat of his car.
I didn't resist. I couldn't. My head throbbed; my body felt like lead. I rested against the headrest, closing my eyes, sweat dripping down my temples.
"You okay?" Leo's voice broke through my haze.
I didn't answer.
"Xena?" his concern sharp.
I blinked slowly, struggling to move. I shrugged off my blazer. Leo looked away briefly, then handed me a bottle of water from the compartment. I drank greedily.
"Close with Conor?" he asked after a moment.
"No. And don't get me started," I murmured, resting back against the seat.
He said nothing further, speeding toward Oxemburge. We parked outside the dorm, but he didn't move. His gaze stayed forward, hand firm on the wheel. I couldn't move; my head spun. Eventually, he glanced at me, his frown softening slightly.
"Look at yourself. You're our deadliest assassin, yet Conor managed to mess with you," he said, irritation lacing his voice. "What were you doing there?"
I looked at him, squinting. He looked stunning when angry. Before, I'd only seen the demon side of him—but now, I didn't know… I blinked, tapping his forehead playfully.
"Why did you do that?" I asked.
Leo frowned further. "You mean bringing you here? What do you want? If I hadn't come back, that idiot would've been celebrating with you by now!"
"Tss," I whispered, locking eyes with him. His expression shifted—concern, anger, something… real.
"Stop trying to be another Ace to me, Leo," I murmured, almost a whisper.
His eyes darkened. I heard his jaw clench, and I chuckled softly. He didn't understand.
"I don't want to waste your feelings, like Ace did. Hurting someone else's feelings is worse than taking a life. I want freedom…"
"Xena—"
"Shhh." I pressed my fingers to his lips. "You're distracting me. If you keep going, I… I might fall for you like I fell for Ace."
The anger in his eyes softened, but the gaze never wavered. Neither of us spoke.
"Is there a chance, Xena?" he asked gently, his fingers still over my lips. I could feel his warm breath, the softness of his lips through my fingers.
My gaze drifted down to his lips, and unconsciously, I traced them with my finger. Lifting my eyes again, I whispered, "There is."
I was out of control. The next thing I knew, I grabbed the collar of his T-shirt, pulling him close. He froze, then stared at me, serious, as if assessing my madness.
"This is… weird," I muttered. Leo had never held my attention like this until tonight. How could he? And yet… I couldn't stop.
"Shit!" I hissed, leaning in to kiss him.
Leo froze at my sudden action. So did I, internally questioning myself. I hated him, yet here I was. But desire overpowered reason.
His soft lips pressed against mine, claiming them. I kissed back, unthinking.
His arms wrapped around my waist while one hand stayed on my nape. He lifted me effortlessly, positioning me over his lap. Our bodies pressed together, chest to chest, lips locked.
His grip tightened, like a serpent coiling, while his lips explored mine. I could taste mint, faint alcohol—probably the beer from before.
"Uhmm," I moaned softly as he bit my lower lip, slipping his tongue inside.
"Damn!" he cursed, momentarily breaking the kiss to study me.
His hands roamed my back and thighs. Every touch made me close my eyes. He unhooked my bra, sliding a hand inside my top, exploring me.
Am I supposed to let him? It felt wrong—but the pleasure coursing through me made it impossible to resist. Lust had overtaken reason. Damn Conor for this.
We both gasped as he guided my hips, showing me what to do. Every kiss, every caress, drove me further into the madness I couldn't escape.
"L-Leo," I whispered, struggling to open my eyes. "Dorm…"