Page 20 of Lords of the Campus

“She’s unbelievable,” he mutters, dropping his sponge in the soap bucket in frustration.

My eyes land on a girl who’s walking up to Archer to pay for a wash, recognizing her as Lyric’s friend Madison Clement, from Crestwood Academy.

“Hey, Madison!” I call, jogging over to her. I’m wearing board shorts and sandals, so I lean into her space. “Haven’t seen you in ages. How’ve you been, sweetheart?”

Madison giggles, a blush spreading across her cheeks. “Oh, hi, Zane! Long time no see. I’ve been good. You?”

“Better now that you’re here,” I say, taking the ten-dollar bill from her fingers and handing it to Archer. He looks confused before spotting Lyric, with Noah, watching us. He puts the pieces together quickly and gives her his patented smirk.

“You know, you look great, Madison,” Archer says smoothly. “Are you busy tonight?”

The plan seems to be working because Lyric’s eyes flash in confusion and hurt and she narrows them at us, turning back to continue talking with Noah.

I turn back to Madison. “Hey, we need to get back to washing cars, but we’ll see you later,” I tell her. “There’s an Alpha Lambda party tonight. Maybe you should come.”

“Come on over and get all wet with us!” Lyric calls out loudly, waving the sign she’s holding and shaking her body. “Come on and let us give you a good rub down for a great cause!”

I’m barely aware of Madison promising to see us at the party, too busy fuming at the sight of Lyric flaunting herself like this.

Archer looks like he’s swallowed something unpleasant and he follows me as I march over to where Lyric is standing.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I demand.

“Just doing exactly what I was told,” Lyric says, feigning innocence as she sways to the music in the background. “I’m drumming up interest in the car wash. Aren’t you guys supposed to be helping wash the cars?”

“You know exactly what you’re doing,” Archer tells her. “And you’re playing a dangerous game. You fuckin’ wait until this is over,” he adds in a harsh whisper.

Lyric swallows, but the defiance remains in her eyes. “I’m merely doing what you guys wanted,” she says. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”

A growl escapes me and I stomp off, frustration rippling under the surface. How could she think she could get away with this? I can barely concentrate on the fundraiser, too eager for it to be over.

The second the car wash ends, Levi and I grab Lyric by each arm and drag her off, with Archer following hot on our heels.

This little girl needs to be reminded who she belongs to and we’re going to make sure she never, ever forgets.

11

LYRIC

My heart pounds in my chest the entire time the boys drag me back away from the car wash. Zane’s grip is firm on my arm, his expression set in a determined scowl. Levi’s got his hand on my other arm and Archer flanks us, his eyes cold and unyielding.

The way they treated me at the car wash still stings—parading me around like I was their plaything, flirting with my old friend Madison in front of me, making sure that I knew I was nothing to them…

Yet, beneath the mortification, there’s an undeniable thrill coursing through me at the thought of being alone with them again.

I try to steady my breathing, but the anticipation and fear mix into a heady cocktail that leaves me dizzy. My steps falter as we reach the house and Zane’s grip tightens, pulling me forward with an unspoken command.

“Keep moving,” he growls, not even glancing back at me.

We enter, the atmosphere changing instantly. The noise of the other brothers fades into the background, leaving the four of us in this charged, suffocating silence. They lead me up thestairs, my pulse quickening with each step. Part of me wants to run, to escape their intense scrutiny, but another part of me—one I hate to acknowledge—craves whatever comes next.

We reach Zane’s room and he shoves the door open, pushing me inside. I stumble, catching myself against the edge of the bed. I turn to face them, my cheeks burning with a mixture of shame and excitement. They close in, their presence overwhelming.

Archer steps forward first, his eyes locked onto mine with a predatory gleam. “You think you can tease us, Lyric? Think you can play your little games and walk away unscathed?”

I swallow hard, my throat dry. “I’m not playing games,” I manage to whisper, but my voice betrays my uncertainty.

Levi chuckles a low, dangerous sound. “Oh, but you are. And now, we’re going to show you exactly who you belong to.”

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