"Promise?" Roxie smiled, a hazy look in her eyes.

Walker grinned, taking her beauty in as much as he could. He'd always thought she was pretty, but never this beautiful—never so overwhelmingly gorgeous.

"I love your eyes," he whispered to her, leaning in even further.

"Walker..." Roxie turned her head, "Don't..."

"Kiss you?"

"Please..we're not...we're..."

"Did you let Jesse kiss you?"

"Yes and look what he did to me."

He pressed against her body—his cock begging to be inside of her.

"I have to get you back, don't I?"

She nodded, not turning back to face him.

He didn't want to take her back, though—not yet.

Crawling off of her, Walker settled on the space beside her—watching as she lay there next to him, her legs still splayed open.

"Don't move."

He got up and made his way to the bathroom, getting a wet, warm washcloth for Roxie.

"Here," he held it out for her, but then decided to clean her himself, "Relax."

Roxie watched as he cleaned her and then gathered her panties and jeans for her to put back on.

"I did—I do like your outfit," he said, tossing the washcloth in the hamper and crawling back into the bed with her, "I don't appreciate other men staring at you."

"That's very kind of you, Walker, but I can handle it."

"No, you probably couldn't," he said, "Some folks don't take no for an answer."

"You don't."

"I do in a lot of situations, mouse," Walker said, pulling her closer to him, "Some of them don't."

"Oh..."

"Well, hopefully you won't be mated with one of them," Walker sighed, "You can say no."

"What happens if I don't? You gonna come to my rescue?"

"I might."

Roxie didn't even realize she was laying on his chest, his arm around her shoulder until Walker's phone buzzed and he had to move them.

"Shit," he mumbled, "It's my dad."

"What does he want?"

"He knows I'm not in class."

"So?"

"It's a reputation thing, mouse," Walker said, "Wanna ride a bit more?"

"Sure," Roxie shrugged, allowing Walker to escort her back out to the Camaro.

Talk came easily for them now, but their banter was still relentless.

"Are you going to be in trouble?"

"Maybe," Walker said, "All because of you."

"You're just upset I didn't kiss you."

Walker scoffed, "Like fuck I did. Using you and liking you are two different things, mouse."

Roxie smirked, "Just wait until you see what I wear tomorrow."

Walker narrowed his eyes and shook his head.

"You'd better be dressed like a fucking nun."

"You'd still be mad at something about me."

"Only your existence."

"What if I died, Walker? How would you feel saying shit like that to me?"

"I wouldn't lose sleep."

"I fucking hate you. Stop breathing my air."

They didn't talk the rest of the way to Oakwood.

"Don't speak unless you're spoken to."

"Why can't I just stay in the car?"

"I like to piss off my dad."

They entered the manor with some of the housekeepers and other servants bowing or nodding to Walker as he led Roxie through the incredibly large home.

Rounding a corner, they made their way down yet another long hall and to a closed door where Walker stood for a moment until raising his hand and knocking.

No answer.

"Come on, Dad. Stop fucking around and open the door," Walker muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Does he mess with you like this?"

"Yes, he's sitting at his desk looking at the door right now."

Roxie frowned and used her mind to fling the door open—much to Walker's surprise.

He looked down at her with wide eyes.

"Sorry...." she shrugged.

"Well, then..." A voice boomed from within the room, "I see why you're not in class, Walker. You will go to the lowest of depths won't you?"

"Excu,-"

"No," Walker whispered to Roxie, "Don't..."

"You wanted to see me?"

"I wanted to see you," Archibald began, "Not her."

"She's with me today. We have a project for biology due."

"Is that so?"

"It's extra credit," Walker used his mind trick to confuse his dad and it seemed to work for the moment. Archibald didn't say another word about that.

"You need to stop making me look bad," Archibald scolded as Roxie and Walker stood before him as he sat on the edge of his desk, "And running around with the help? Come on, Walker. I raised you better than this."

"Don't talk about her like that," Walker snarled, "I don't talk to mom about you whoring around,-"

"You little,-" Archibald stood up and raised his fist the way he always did to teach his son a lesson, but Roxie stepped in the way.

"NO!" She shielded Walker from the blow, and Walker was too slow to stop his father from bearing down on Roxie's cheek, sending her to the floor and knocking her out cold.

"Roxie...??" She fell into Walker's arms who placed her gently on the floor so he could examine her, "Roxie..?"

Archibald straightened up, "That little bitch had it coming."

"Her coven will come for you," Walker growled as he looked Roxie over. A huge welt appeared on her face, "Summon a cleric now."

"Fine," Archibald rolled his eyes, "Take her to your room and both of you get the fuck out of my sight. I've given you my warning, son."

Walker lifted Roxie into his arms, her head cradled to her his chest.

"Thank the gods the ball is coming up so you can get the fuck out of my hair," Archibald grumbled as the two left the office and headed to Walker's room.

Walker placed her on his bed as the cleric knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Rumi made his way into the room and nodded to Walker.

"What happened, Master Wells?"

"Accident," Walker replied, "Did you bring Greta?"

"She's on her way," Rumi placed his hand on Roxie's cheek, "She must be one hell of a woman for you to get into so much shit."

"She's nothing to me, Rumi. Just heal her before the Weeper's come and attack us."

"She's a Weeper?"

Another knock and Greta entered the room.

"I can only wipe her mind for a few months," Greta told him, "She might start remembering then."

"Why can't you wipe it forever?"

"She's a strong vampiress," Greta said, "Did you know that? Does she know that?"

"I-I don't really know her well."

"Well, by the time she remembers, she'll be off to college or mated so I'm sure she won't care about your father," Greta shook her head, "I am sorry. She seems lovely."

"She's..." Walker shook his head and paced the room, "Just do your jobs and go."

Greta and Rumi nodded, working quickly until their work was done.

Rumi stayed a pinch longer and spoke with Walker.

"Don't let the good things pass you by, Master Wells. She was willing to take a fall for you."

Rumi took his leave as Walker sat down on the bed and waited for Roxie to rouse.

"Little mouse..." he stroked her cheek as she moaned softly, her head turning in his direction, but her eyes remained closed.

"Don't fight my battles for me, mouse...you've no idea what you're going to get into if you do."