Page 44 of Twisted Lies

Chapter 20

Astrid

As I walk to the library, I try Nova’s cell again, but she isn’t picking up. The expensive furniture that Bryce had thrown out behind the Pit is no longer in the dumpsters. What a waste to toss it, so I’m not surprised someone hauled it off. It’s probably decorating someone’s apartment now, and they could give a fuck what happened on it. I wonder if Nova claimed it.

But there’s something else going on at the Pit. Attendance is down, but only someone who knows what full capacity looked like would notice it. And the boys have noticed, according to Teeny. They asked him if he was turning people away. He laughed in their faces.

I scowl at Pierce and Bryce as they walk behind me down the path. For a moment, I consider hauling ass to get inside the library. The electric doors slide open, admitting another student. I pick up speed, but unless I plan on running like a madwoman to the door, their long legs are going to catch me. I don’t care and start off like I’m sprinting for the finish line.

Pierce steps behind me as the doors open while Bryce grips my elbow. A photo on social is the last thing I want Charlotte to see, so I calm my nerves and walk alongside them. From her desk, the librarian polices the quiet building as if it’s a personal insult to whisper in here. The boys guide me like an unsteady toddler through the room toward a study table in the back. The librarian can only cast dirty looks from where she’s seated.

“What do you want?” I demand, pulling my tablet out of my bag. I might as well make good use of my time.

“We’re holding an emergency meeting of the Investors Club,” replies Pierce, not bothering to pretend to study, unlike Bryce, who pulls a paperback out of his bag. He flips through the corner of the pages, pretending to find a page.

“So what’s going on?” Pierce asks tightly.

My tone is flippant. “I’m studying, but I guess you don’t need to.” They won’t wind me up. He casts a nasty look over me, but my expression remains neutral.

“Where are your little friends?” he continues interrogating me. “Derick didn’t show up last weekend. Grinder had to introduce the fighters, and he has no talent for that.”

I shrug as my gaze stays on my tablet. “Derick isn’t paid to show up. None of them are. Maybe they decided to stay home and study.”

Pierce scoffs. “They’d have to learn how to read first.” He ignores my evil eye. “So, where are they going?”

I shrug, “I don’t know. I don’t hang with that crowd anymore. How do you still not realize that even though I’m sitting next to you?”

Pierce pulls his chair closer to mine, and I move my knees away. His hand reaches under the table and grabs my knee. Pierce doesn’t react when I place my hand on his, digging my nails into his flesh. Pierce is ignoring me as he stares at Bryce, and a filthy grin turns his lips.

Bryce watches Pierce’s hand grip my knee tighter. The tips of Bryce’s ears turn red, but he says nothing. Pierce keeps his gaze on Bryce, and his breathing picks up. I could push his hand away, but I don’t. My gaze connects with Bryce, and he looks furious enough to hurt us.

I smile sweetly at Pierce and shove his hand off my leg. I return his dirty look with a dirtier one. What the hell happened in his life?

“You’re a part of our club,” Pierce says. “And you will find out what is happening.”

“I’m a member when it suits you,” I reply. “See it from the fighters’ perspective. Why show up if I can’t score a fight? And when do I get a cut of the profits? It’s not a charity drive. Pay me what you owe me, and maybe I’ll find out what you need to know.”

Pierce wraps his arm around the back of my chair. His fingers graze my shoulder, and I lean forward as I rethink filing a complaint. Why file one when I can tell my father?

“Pierce.” Bryce’s tone isn’t a warning but a challenge. Pierce lowers his hand, grazing my skirt again. With every touch, he baits Bryce. I’m just a game to Pierce, not the prize.

“Just do as I ask,” Pierce whispers loudly.

Pierce stands up and leaves the table without saying goodbye. He flashes a killer smile at the annoyed librarian before disappearing through the sliding doors.

Observing them interact is informative, but it’s not clear how I can use it for my gain. Hell will turn into a solid block of ice before I sleep with Pierce to get even with Bryce. I glance over at Bryce as he stares intently at his tablet and ignores me.

And why get even with Bryce? Because he’s been an asshole. He could calm Charlotte the fuck down if he wanted to. But if I spend my time getting even with every person who’s dissed me, I won’t have enough time to breathe. I start gathering up my stuff.

“Where are you going?” Bryce asks, pulling his chair close to mine.

“I thought I might follow him and see what he has to offer.”

Bryce stares hard into my eyes, and I wish I hadn’t spoken. “Don’t joke like that,” he says, “I don’t like it.”

I tilt my nose in the air like he can’t challenge me. “So, you can date the world, but I can’t look around? You’re off-limits, Bryce. Rawlins told me not to touch you.”

His eyes narrow. “What do you mean?”

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