Page 90 of Thorns of Malice

Lilly: Tomorrow night at eight.

Me: Where?

Lilly: My hotel.

My pulse increases.

What if she tries something?

I can say no.

She's never done anything without my permission.

I don't have any self-control.

I do.

It'll be too long since I've had sex. I won't be able to stop myself.

I will.

I stare at the screen, my mouth dry, hating all my demons.

Me: Which one?

Lilly: Harbor Inn. And come alone.

16

Dax

Dean Bramwell's been losing his shit all day. He called an emergency meeting, and I was more than happy to go to his office.

"The board's up my ass," he frets.

"What do you want me to do about it?" I question, sitting back in the chair and keeping a solemn look on my face.

Bramwell's cheeks turn redder than normal. He picks up his crystal tumbler of bourbon, takes a swig, and refills it from the decanter. He claims, "This isn't the same as all your other antics, Dax."

I act insulted. "Myantics? Why am I being blamed for this?"

He points at me. "Your group's always been responsible for these atrocities that happen at my university."

I arch my eyebrows. "Youruniversity? Last time I checked, it was a public institution."

He snarls, "Stop playing games! You've gone too far this time!"

I maintain my innocence. "If you're trying to accuse me of something, you better have some proof."

He shuts his mouth and taps his fingers on the desk, shaking his head. He releases an angry breath and leans closer to me. "You really didn't do this?"

"No."

He studies me, then says, "Okay, then who did?"

"How the hell should I know?"

He sighs.

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