Page 21 of Pretty Little Psycho

My heart sinks, and I almost feel sorry for her. “Oh, stop. You’re rich, gorgeous, and sometimes pleasant. Why wouldn’t you have friends?” I imagine a whole scenario where dozens of girls follow her around like obedient little lap dogs.

Libra glances back toward the bar. “Everyone’s scared of them.”

My stomach flips. Fuck. “Libra… are you scared of them?”

She shakes her head. “No. Fuck that. They can be assholes, but they’re all I know. I grew up with all three of them.”

I nod and actually feel sorry for her now. “Let’s go inside and get a drink.”

Her face lights up. “Okay. Sorry, I was so bitchy before.”

I grin. “It’s fine. Probably just that dress cutting off all the oxygen to your brain,” I tease.

She giggles and loops her arm through mine. But as we approach the doors she holds me back for a second. “I heard that Nocturnus cornered you in the bathroom… if they’ve marked you then they own you. They’ll keep coming and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

I nod and stare straight ahead. My heart skips a beat when I lock eyes with Riot through the window. I remember the roughness of his fingers sliding inside me. The taste of Atlas’s skin when I almost gagged on him. Valentin pinching my nipples… I came so fucking hard.

“Who did you hear that from? Thought you didn’t have any friends.” I try to mask the ache of remembrance in my voice.

Libra chuckles. “I don’t. But I have plenty of spies.”

Of course, she does.

Between being stalked by a dead girl, three hot psychos, and this unstable beauty queen who’s quickly becoming a stage five clinger, I might have to do a little spying of my own. I get the feeling there’s some really dark shit going on around here.

I’m going to be good this year. Better than the me I was back in Wickford Hollow. But my anxiety is through the roof, and I need a drink. Besides, classes don’t start till tomorrow. I can be bad for one more night.

I march over to the bar with Libra in tow and order another whiskey old fashioned. “So, are you ever going to tell me what’s up with Nocturnus? Why do they hate me so much?”

Libra’s gaze flickers over to Riot as she sucks down a big swig of her gin and tonic. “You’ll have to ask him. I learned my lesson about getting involved with their business.”

There’s something different about her tonight. She’s more uptight than usual. But then again, I’ve only known her for two days so maybe this is normal for her.

I nod and try to get lost in the music. The dance floor is more crowded than it was when I first came in. Libra sways beside me, humming along to the song. It’s actually kind of fun when I’m not thinking about the three psychos who are watching me like a hawk from across the room.

With sparkling chandeliers, purple velvet couches, and marble floors, Swallow is fancy for a college bar. Everyone here is dressed like they just came from a red-carpet event. I think Bailey would love it. I wonder what she’s up to back home. I pull out my phone, snap a selfie of myself at the bar, and shoot it off to her in a quick text.

Miss, you bitch.

Texting bubbles appear right away. Miss you too, babe. You look hot AF btw.

I smile and send her a kissy face emoji before slipping my phone back into my purse.

As I look back up, I come face to face with a gorgeous dark-haired guy with green eyes. He gives me a sloppy grin. “Hi. You’re beautiful. What’s your name?”

My stomach does a little flip. It’s been ages since anyone’s hit on me. I tilt my head to the side in an attempt to be flirty. “Maureen. What’s yours?”

He takes my drink from me and sets it on the bar. “Zeke. Come on, let’s dance.”

I let out a giggle as he locks his fingers in mine. I’m suddenly nervous and have no desire to be on that dance floor with everyone’s eyes on me. “Thanks but I think I’m just gonna hang at the bar.”

Zeke laughs and snakes an arm around my waist. He pulls me flush against him. “Fine. We can dance here.”

I glance over at Libra who just shrugs and turns her attention back to the guy hitting on her. A little warning bell goes off in my head. Zeke is tall, dark, and handsome, but a little too aggressive for my liking. “Whoa, easy there. Give a girl a little space,” I tease.

“Relax,” he whispers in my ear. His breath reeks of beer and weed. “It’s just one dance.” He wraps his other arm around my waist and locks me tight to his chest. I try to push back but he’s got me in an iron grip.

“I’m flattered, but I don’t want to. Let me go, please.” My pulse starts to race as I realize he’s got me pinned against the bar now. I could scream for help but then I’d look like a lunatic.

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