My mind starts working on overdrive, analyzing our interactions. Masen seems genuine when we’re together. I was the one who Marked him first though. Maybe he reacted on instinct when I bit him, and he bit me back. We haven’t talked about a Mating ceremony to complete or union. He did say we would, but last night, we got distracted. Still, the insidious thoughts invade. Maybe he wants to keep her; hell, maybe he wants us both. I know he’s not faking the desire he feels for me. Will his phone tell me anything? I can check his texts, voicemail, I can even check his call logs. Do I want to do this?

I push the button on the bottom, activating the screen. I tap the text message icon first and see the last open chat is with Michael from yesterday around noon. I don’t read very far, just enough to see it’s nothing involving me or Roxanne. Hitting the back key to see all his text conversations, I see a few names I don’t recognize and a few I do know: Sniffer, Sid, Nicole. I’m hoping that’s Michael’s Nicole. Right under Michael’s name, I see Roxanne.

I’m terrified to open it, but I do. The last message is from yesterday. It’s from Masen to her.

can’t talk now

Running my finger up the screen to see the previous message, I see what she sent.

I miss you, can I see you later <3

I don’t read any more. I think I might throw up. What the hell is going on? Does he know I was trying to reach him yesterday, and she wouldn’t let me through? Why the hell does she still work as his assistant if there is nothing going on with them. He has to know how much I despise her. She’s still in love with him.

I hear Masen call my name. His voice is thick from sleep. I hear his footsteps as he nears the kitchen. His hand covers his bare washboard stomach when he walks through the entryway. The sweatpants he wears hang low on his hips. His face is pinched, lips in a thin line as he approaches me. “Are you feeling okay?” he asks, concern clear in his voice.

Schooling my features, I pull my emotions in. He must be sensing my troubling thoughts, feeling the hollow ache radiating from my belly to my chest. I give him a small smile and nod my head. “I’m fine, just a little nervous from yesterday.” Why Am I lying? Why not confront him right now? I’m a coward, sure that’s part of it, but I also want the truth once and for all. I’ve trusted him twice without all the answers. That ends now. I just need a few minutes to fortify my resolve and decide how to handle this like an adult without killing both of them.

He is still looking at me funny. I don’t think I’m doing a very good job masking my emotions. “Where’d you go, Little One? Didn’t you hear me calling you?” My heart melts at his term of endearment. Could he really still be seeing her or leading her on? “What’s wrong, baby?”