Page 2 of Unmasked

I grunt in response, putting my hand back on the steering wheel. I don’t answer for a minute, taking in the thick forest surrounding the narrow mountain road. “I can think of a lot of things I’d call her, and an addict is last on the list.”

I shoot her a sidelong glance before turning my eyes away, trying to pull my thoughts from the dark place they go whenever I think about my family situation. “Water under the bridge. I survived my childhood and came out on the other side of it. Must be in our genes.”

Megan is quiet, and I realize my words affect her when Inotice her downcast expression. “I’m sorry, Meg. I didn’t mean to….”

She waves a hand, blinking back tears. “No, it’s fine.” She blows out a shaky breath. “I can’t believe how close I was to being sold…” She turns her face away from me, but not before I see her shameful expression.

“Meg, he was a handsome, charming, older guy offering you the world. Who wouldn’t be impressed with his wealth, status, and the world he offered you? There was no reason for you to suspect he was involved in a sex trafficking ring.” I swallow hard, guilt lodging in my chest, tightening it. My voice cracks when I add, “I should’ve protected you.”

“Stryker, you’re my cousin. Not my brother or bodyguard.” Megan turns to me with her lips pursed, her expression tight, suggesting this isn’t open for discussion.

“Yeah, and if Zayne wouldn’t have gotten there when he did, you may not be…” I can’t finish the statement. While I’m glad Zayne killed those fucking assholes, I’m furious I didn’t get a piece of the one who nearly trafficked Megan.

“But you helped. You worked your hacking magic—which I still don’t understand.” She shrugs. “You gave his team the information they needed to intervene in time.” A smile of pure gratitude shines on her face. “You’re my hero, Stryker.”

I brush it off with a wave as the wrought iron gates come into focus. The impressive archway across the top with ornate lettering proclaims “Stone Ridge University” across the top of it.

Megan’s mouth snaps shut as she leans forward, her gaze taking in the campus.

My eyes flit to the gothic architecture of the campus buildings, with pointed arches, flying buttresses, and stone gargoyles, captivating my attention. The campus sits at the top of the mountain, with large buildings on lush grounds and miles of thick forest surrounding it.

“You ready for this?” I look at her with raised brows, intently scanning her profile as she takes it all in.

“This is a dream.” She turns to me with sparkling eyes and a wide smile. “I’m excited for a new beginning.”

I smile at her, basking in her excitement.

Stone Ridge Apartments, where Megan will live for the next fifteen weeks, sits at the far end of the property. “This is surreal, especially after living in a trailer all those years….”

My mind whirls back to the mobile home park Megan and I grew up in. Revulsion fills me as I think of the poor conditions I grew up in. The students at Green Haven School District were unforgiving regarding boundaries. You either lived in a decent area of town or were poor trailer trash that they made fun of.

Her voice pulls me from my thoughts. “You made this possible. The scholarship covers the tuition, but you’re paying for my apartment.”

I don’t tell her I’ve been saving money for months so she could live on campus in that swanky apartment building. She’ll get angry and admonish me for it. Better for her to think I’m made of money.

As I drive closer, a group of students wave at us. Their t-shirts say “Move in Day Volunteer” on them.

“Stop embarrassing me, and let’s get you unloaded.” I wink at her before hopping out of my truck.

My job as a white-hat hacker pays well, but I make even more as a black-hat contractor for King Morine. I dream of one day being employed by King Morine full-time.

But I don’t tell Megan any of this. The less she knows, the better.

CHAPTER 3

Stryker

Sweat rolls down my forehead as I carry a huge box toward the elevator.

“Dammit. I forgot the small box by the tailgate of your truck.” Megan’s panicked voice makes me stop, and I look at her over my shoulder, annoyance flowing through me. She waves her hand at me. “Get on the elevator. I’ll go back outside and get it.”

I roll my eyes and keep going. This is our third trip, and I haven’t even unloaded her new mattress.

The elevator stops on the top floor, and the doors slide open. I exit, about to turn left, when a girl slams into me. I juggle the box, managing not to drop it. Irritation courses through me, but it vanishes when I look at her.

Holy shit. She’s beautiful.

“I’m so sorry.” Her hand grips my arm, an apology beaming from her sympathetic baby blues. Tingles shoot through my arm like I’m touching a live wire.Jesus. What is that?

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