Page 29 of Spiteful Lies

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“You’re not the only rebel at Stonehaven. No one follows a sheep, and I never intended to follow after my father.” Bryce pulls me close again, and the excitement of what he’s saying prickles my skin. I love the fire raging in his eyes that I’ve not seen before. “I plan to run a legit business,” he continues, “And the fight club proved that I can do it without his money. And I want you to do it with me.”

I pull Bryce into a solid kiss, mashing our mouths together as if we’re still learning how to do it. I’m crazy happy that I’m in his future. I’ll never admit it to him, but I didn’t want Charlotte to have him. She needs saving, but not by him. Not my Bryce. I’m a greedy girl.

Gripping him by his shirt, I lean back until I’m flat on my back and Bryce is lying on top of me. I thought I loved him before, but this new feeling is intense as I wrap my leg around his hip. It slams into me full force, the need I have for this man—this man that gives a damn.

There’s a knock on the door, but we ignore it. The way I feel right now, I don’t want to risk the chance of it slipping away. They knock again. But when I raise my head to glare at the shut door, Bryce takes a firm hold of me and captures my mouth again. The knocking blends into the background as we continue to kiss, and the person gives up and walks away.

“Where’s your roommate?” he asks, out of breath.

I grin. “Still away somewhere out of state.”

“Good.” He reaches for me again and holds my cheeks in his hands. His tongue swipes my lips, and I eagerly open my mouth. His body weighs me down, but my mind floats away. I told him that I loved him, and I really meant it. I giggle against his mouth, and he pauses to look at me. He gives me that smile that makes me want to fuck him bad. He knows how hot he is.

Stopping, I look up again when I hear a commotion nearby. Ending our kiss, we freeze and listen to a woman’s high-pitched voice arguing with a man. The arguing increases in volume as footsteps approach, and their voices echo.

“It’s okay,” Pierce’s voice is loud and clear as he enters my room through the bathroom. But Gemma trails behind him, protesting loudly. “Astrid won’t mind.”

They stop in their tracks and stare down at Bryce and me in a sweaty tangle on my bed. Gemma’s eyes go round while Pierce smirks and shakes his head. One second slower, and they’d have seen his dick deep in my mouth.

“It figures.” He grabs the chair at the desk and spins it around, then sits. Smirking at Gemma, he pats his knee and says, “Want to watch?”

Her mouth drops open, doing a perfect imitation of The Scream. She stares at Pierce’s lap and then at us before fleeing the room in disgust.

Bryce keeps ahold of me. “You’re a tool. What the fuck do you want? And no, you can’t watch.”

“I might join in later,” Pierce winks, “but we have business to discuss first.” He gets up to make sure the bathroom is empty, then shuts the door. “Getz squealed, but how much he told, I don’t know. All I know is that Leister will definitely be charged, but Astrid, you may not have to testify. Women are coming forward.”

“Do you know who?” I ask.

Pierce shrugs his shoulders. “Don’t know, but the DA definitely has a case building against him and a few other perverts. The Pit flushed the seedy scum out. Let’s hope Ted goes down the drain.”

Gradually, I pull away from Bryce and sit on the edge of the bed. My emotions are in a mix. I’m relieved I’m not alone, but I’m sad that there are others in this sucky mess. “I won’t have to face him, but I should. I want him to know it’s me coming after him.”

“No, you’ve been through enough,” says Bryce.

Pierce sits on my other side and places his hand on my shoulder. “Astrid, you’ve proved you’re a fighter.” He pokes my chin playfully. “Let someone else face the demon.”

I smile weakly, but I can’t help the feeling that I’m failing. I have to do it. Running away from a fight is something I don’t do. And this man caused me a lot of pain. I can’t back down.

“Stop,” says Pierce. “Stop whatever thought you’re thinking.”

“What thought is that?” I ask, gazing at him.

“What a Monarch would do.” He laughs. “Whether you want to admit it or not, you’re one of us now, Astrid Howland.” He nuzzles my neck, placing a kiss on it. “Do you need us to claim you?”

Chapter 21

Astrid

When Pierce challenges me with his words, I feel a chill go through my bones. The Pit is no more, and track meets won’t resume until next year. There’s nothing to challenge me physically, but the thought of being caught makes my whole body buzz with interest. But is being bad worth the risk right now?

I glance over at the bathroom door. It’s shut tight, but it isn’t soundproof.

“Gemma will hear,” I protest. I can picture her ear against the door, her mouth and eyes open wide, disgusted by the moans and giggles coming from inside my room. But she’s not too pure to walk away.

Pierce scoffs. “She’s busy studying or some shit. She doesn’t care about us.”

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