I Hardly Needed Saving

The Mansion, the Ex, and Myra's Madness

The plane touches down. I glance out the window—trees, tons of them, surrounding the airport.

We grab Seth's and his friends' bags and head outside. I wave for a taxi.

Seth laughs.

A limo pulls up, sleek and shiny. The driver steps out and opens the door.

What?! Is he rich?!

I slide into the long limo, sitting at the far end next to Seth. The others pile in along the sides.

"Feels good to be home," Seth sighs.

All the guys smile.

I glance out the window—green everywhere. The air feels clean, the view breathtaking.

We pull up to a massive mansion.

It's... stunning.

"Who lives here?" I ask, wide-eyed.

"We all do. And my grandma."

"Grandma?!"

"Relax. You're just a friend. She's gonna love you."

I inhale deep, steadying my nerves. People start unloading bags. I walk up the stairs with Seth and his crew.

Inside is huge, earthy, and peaceful. I feel instantly relaxed.

I look up—a glass roof spans the entire living room. Trees hover overhead, butterflies drifting past.

"You like it?" Seth asks.

I turn to him. That smile... ugh. My breath catches. He's so damn handsome.

"I love it."

⸻

"Who is this, Seth?"

A sharp voice cuts through the air.

Dasha.

Tall, skinny, ice-cold eyes locked on me.

"Dasha, this is my friend, Lyla."

"Friend. Yeah, friend. Let's keep it that way, Seth."

Twig alert. Her glare is full of hate.

"Ew," I mutter before I can stop myself.

"DID SHE JUST EW ME?!"

"YEAH I DID! AND WHAT?!"

"BITCH FIGHT!" Alex yells.

All the guys come running, laughing.

Seth jumps between us, holding me back.

Myra snarls in my head: Let's rip her head off!

Tempting.

"Seth, control your pet," Dasha snaps.

"Excuse me—anyone planning to greet me, or just gonna act like I don't exist?"

We all freeze.

An elderly woman stands behind us—tiny, regal, wise.

All the boys rush to hug her.

"Who is this, Seth?" she asks.

"This is my friend, Lyla."

She walks over, touches my cheek. "So pretty. Much prettier than..." She tilts her head toward Dasha.

I burst out laughing.

Dasha storms off—wounded ego and all.

"Oh man, this is gonna be fun."

"I'm Lyla."

"Deena," she says, smiling. She gently places a hand on my back, guiding me. The guys follow.

"Are you hungry, dear?"

"Starving, actually."

"First thing I like about you already. I'll make us something."

"Do you need help?"

"No, dear. I've got it. But thank you."

She walks off.

All the guys stare at me—shocked.

"What?" I ask.

"S-s-she likes you," Alex blurts.

"And... that's crazy because?"

"She hates every girl Seth brings home."

I glare at Seth.

"You said she was nice!"

He rubs the back of his neck. "Mmmhmm..."

⸻

He grabs my hand and drags me upstairs.

"Where are we going?"

"My room."

"Are you going to rape me?"

He laughs. "No! I would never do that."

I wish he would, Myra purrs.

"Myra!! OH MY GOD!"

What? He's hot. Let's have him. You want him.

"No. We're friends. Get out of my head."

FINE.

Suddenly, lust crashes over me, heat rising, a moan catching in my throat.

Damn it—Myra's doing this!

I can't be in his room. I can't be alone with him. Not like this.

"Why are we going to your room?" I ask, breath hitching.

"To talk."

"Oh."

⸻

We reach his room—huge, elegant, with a massive bed.

Take him on the bed! Attack! Myra growls.

"Myra, SHUT UP!"

She sighs—and makes the craving worse. Crap.

Seth sits on the bed.

I stay standing.

"You wanna sit?"

"Nope. I'm good."
Because if I sit, I'll jump you.

⸻

"Look," Seth says, "Dasha's human. She knows about us. She's my ex—the only reason she's here is because my grandma doesn't want her opening her big mouth. There's nothing between us."

"And... you're telling me this why?"

My jealousy screams through my tone.

"Because I don't want you thinking there's anything between us."

"Okay."

⸻

⸻

💋 VOTE 💋 COMMENT 💋 FAN 💋
Who wants Dasha to get knocked down a peg? 😂 Ready for Lyla to finally admit she's craving Seth too?! Should Myra take over?! LET'S GO!
—Heather 💜