Page 44 of Dirty Little Saint

“Just a shot of whiskey neat, please.” I beam a little as he admires me as well. I’m in the mood to turn fucking heads tonight. Which is why I chose to wear a black leather mini skirt and pink lacey bustier that pushes my tits up so high, you could set your drink on them.

And there are plenty of people noticing me and Villette tonight. We’re a Crane and a Blackwell out on the prowl like two nepo babies out of a trashy reality TV show. Just swap out the designer bags and lip injections for knives and dead bodies.

The music is loud as fuck. Perfect for drowning out the squawking ravens that have gathered outside. And for shutting out my intrusive thoughts. I want just one night where I can party with my friends without the weight of Nocturnus on my shoulders.

I glare over my drink at a few students who snicker at us as they walk by. Most of them haven’t bothered to get to know me. As soon as they found out I was a Blackwell, another rich kid from one of the founding families of Ever Graves, they made up their minds about me. Even though I have no ties to my family or their money. If it hadn’t been for Bailey, I wouldn’t have been able to even afford a sandwich at Tenebrose, let alone tuition and dorm fees.

Villette is swaying her hips to the music while sipping on her martini when a tall, super handsome man with dark hair and brown eyes comes up behind her and curls his arm around her neck. “That better not be vodka, Lettie.” He smirks as we lock eyes.

She wiggles away from him, laughing. “What are you gonna do about it? Tell Mom and Dad that your twenty-five-year-old sister is having a cocktail?”

He beams back at her, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “I didn’t tell them when you drank an entire bottle of wine on your sixteenth birthday. Why start now?”

She throws her arms around him and squeals. “I’m so happy you’re here!”

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your gorgeous friend?” Felix still hasn’t taken his eyes off me. I feel my cheeks heat.

“You mean one of your new students?” She arches a playful brow at him. “This is my lovely and amazing friend, Maureen. Be nice; she bites.”

I laugh throatily and stick out my hand for him to shake. “Maureen Blackwell. I have you for poetry this semester.”

If my last name bothers him at all, he doesn’t show it. He takes my hand and shakes it formally, all while keeping that troublemaker grin on his face. “Do you consider yourself a poet, Maureen Blackwell?”

“I don’t know about that, Mr. Crane. I enjoy reading it, but I wouldn’t consider myself poetic.” His expression is intense, pensive, yet playful. I take a small sip of my whiskey while I try not to get spooked by his charm. Especially since he’s Villette’s brother. And doubly so because Riot, Atlas, and Valentin just walked in with death stares plastered on their faces.

“You don’t have to call me Mr. Crane till Monday. And from what I see, you aren’t giving yourself enough credit. I think your very essence is poetic.” His gaze travels over the sigil on my neck.

“You know it’s frowned upon to fraternize with the students, don’t you, Professor Crane?” Atlas slaps him on the back as he walks up.

Felix flashes him a toothy grin. “She’s not my student yet, Atlas. Technically.”

Riot flexes his jaw as he steps in between us. “Technically, she’s with us, so be careful what you say and do next.”

Fuck. Here we go.

Villette rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Can you all just take the testosterone level down a notch?”

Felix laughs, completely unfazed by Riot’s threat. “Relax, Graves. I only came out tonight to ensure my sister’s honor is preserved.”

I can’t help but chuckle. Villette is one of the most pious girls I’ve ever met. Something tells me that she’s the princess of her family. I’ve heard her other brother, Bones, is batshit crazy. This one looks like he has it in him to be as well.

“And we’re here to preserve Maureen’s,” Valentin chimes in.

I let out a sigh. “Okay, everyone, chill. We’re both grown women who don’t need preserving or whatever.”

Riot pulls me to his side and rests his hand on my hip. “I’m completely chill.”

Felix laughs again before planting a kiss on Villette’s temple. “Have fun tonight, sis. I’ll be over there if you need anything.”

Despite Riot, Valentin, and Atlas hovering over me, Felix manages to find my hand and give it a light squeeze. “I look forward to getting to know more about what makes you tick on Monday.”

Valentin’s nostrils flare while my cheeks flame. “Um, cool. Have a good night.”

Atlas barely moves out of his way, so Felix has to brush shoulders with him in order to leave our little circle of rage. But that doesn’t seem to bother him either.

Villette sighs before turning around to the bartender. She orders another martini and then waves to someone across the room. “I’ll be right back, Maur.”

I slap each of them on the arm. “What the fuck was that?”

---