Page 45 of Devious Gambit

“Sweeney caught you sticking your nose in where it don’t belong,” he seethed. “And that fucker, Luxon, never liked him and wanted him out of the team.”

“I don’t know anything about that,” I stressed, collecting my things to leave.

“It’s a fucking set up, ain’t it? I get it now. You and him killed Sweeney together.” He blocked my path as I tried to leave. “How did you do it? How’d you kill him?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Please move.”

“Am I next?” he asked me. “Were you two plotting to kill me next?”

“No.”

“Maybe I’ll get to you first,” he threatened, running his finger across my chin. “Maybe I want a bit of what you’re giving Luxon.”

“I don’t think so,” I hissed, weakly thumping him with a book, only for him to catch in his hand.

“Rhys?”I heard a familiar voice off to the side. “Is this asshole harassing you?” It was Hayden Cornwall, my cousin’s best friend.

“I suggest you stay out of it!” Liam Greene warned.

“Ah, if it isn’t the fucking bonehead,” Hayden crowed. “We meet again. Remember when I kicked your fucking head in that night, pussy?”

“Fuck off!” Greene roared.

“Harassing women again are we?” Hayden accused. “Always picking an easy fight, ain’t ya? You fucking pussy.”

Hayden was a little smaller, leaner, but more agile than Greene was and he was wearing his glasses, which gave the impression he wasn’t a threat. Fact; Hayden Cornwall could shred Greene into tiny pieces, given half the chance.

A crowd congregated which attracted uni staff who were walking through the garden to the south side off the university.

“Move along!” a dean demanded, clapping his hands. “This is not elementary school and I’m sure these gentlemen were not planning on making a mockery out of our good name.”

Greene threatened to kill Hayden, before leaving the scene and Hayden just laughed in his face.

“What was that all about?” Hayboy asked as he handed me my books.

“Um, he thinks I killed Sweeney.”

Hayboy snorted. “Yeah, right. And then you grew some superpower strength to drag his dead body along.” He tussled up his blond disheveled hair with his fingers, and I remembered how he used to drive me crazy.

“Thank you for that,” I said as he walked alongside me.

He cocked his head as if it was no big deal. “So, while I’ve got you here. What’s up with Tris these days?”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s acting fucking weird, always in a bad mood. Every time I ask what’s stirring his shit, he bites my head off. I thought maybe he’s having problems with Lise.”

“More than likely. She’s not easy.” The guilt and the lies were making me feel sick.

“Yeah, well, that’s an understatement.” I felt his eyes look me up and down, as if he just realized there was something different about me. Stupidly, I thought people would be able to tell that I’m not a virgin anymore, but no, I’m ignored just like normal. Suits me fine. “Have you done something different with your hair?” she asked me.

“No. I haven’t been to the salon since I was living in Detroit.” I examined my ends that were split and thought about Mr. Ed’s perfect hair. “Maybe I should get a trim.”

“So, do you want to get a burger tonight?” he asked, “maybe continue our discussion on Tris.”

I was stunned. Was he asking me out on a date or just as friends? Oh. Mr. Ed. “I can’t.”

“Are you working?” he enquired.

---