William thought about waiting until she got home to talk to her about what was happening between them. But he feared for the ramifications if he waited that long.
Had he really knowingly sent her into another man's arms?
It didn't take long for him to find her. All he had to do was threaten Lucien's life, and it had actually worked for once. Maybe it was the red eyes he seemed to be sporting lately. He'd always been so careful not to let that side of himself surface, to give away what he really was, but it seemed he had no control when it came to Gilly. And his latest actions proved exactly that.
Lucien had tracked her spirit trail to a club in downtown Budapest. It wasn't their usual haunt but a chic under-21 club with live amateur music and a lively crowd.
"Good luck, man," Lucien said as he deposited William at the door.
William sneered. "You really mean that?"
Lucien was silent for long moments, his scarred face almost serene as he mulled this over. "You know what?" He asked, sounding surprised with what he was about to say. "I really fucking think I do. Look at me. Love is making me sentimental."
Without another word, he was gone, and William was left to search out Gilly alone. When he didn't find her straight away, he felt his heart race in panic. Had she been captured by the enemy? Or, even worse, was she making love to that kid in one of the bathrooms right this minute? Was she moaning his name as she clutched tight to his…
Fuck! He snapped himself out of that train of thought. He refused to go there. If she had made that choice, he would accept it amicably.
Like hell.
When it came to Gilly, it was like there were two parts of him. One part wanted to be honorable and let her live her short life without him and the pain he was sure to bring. The other part wanted to put her over his shoulder and drag her to the nearest bed where they would stay for years, decades even.
His presence here made it abundantly clear to him which side was winning.
When he finally found her tucked into a dark corner booth, he couldn't help the wave of relief that ran through him. Any more than he could help the jealous rage he felt at seeing Corbin's arm wrapped around Gilly while he whispered in her ear. Whatever he said elicited a husky laugh from her. William tightened his fists.
Just leave her alone, man, he tried to reason with himself. Let her be a normal teenager and date whoever she wants. She doesn't deserve to miss out on that.
But he couldn't. He just couldn't walk away. He'd spent so much of his life being so careful never to care, really care, for anyone but himself. With Gilly, he hadn't been able to help himself. She was so young, so innocent, that he'd thought he was safe to care for her. But it turned out those were two of the reasons he was so drawn to her, and now… he was in way too deep, and he wanted her too badly. Needed her too much.
There would be no going back now.