Page 85 of Pure Vengeance

It had been passionate and full of angst. Forbidden, but with nothing held back. I had only stopped it when his hand trailed down my chest toward my groin. I’d been semi-hard, but I balked at the idea of Noah touching my cock. A logical side of me said it was because what we were doing was wrong. A small voice in the back of my head had said it was because I didn’t feel adequate enough for him. I’ll never be enough for anyone, but I wanted to be, especially for him.

For that, I want revenge. I want to get back at Noah. I want to reveal who he really is to everyone, to our father, especially. Then he won’t be this free little asshole anymore. He will be cast out into purgatory where he belongs. Away from me. Which is safest, really.

It’s self-preservation in its most fundamental form.

Or maybe I could get my revenge elsewhere. I could get Noah to fail one of his classes or something. I haven’t quite worked it out in my head, but I know I need to get my revenge. Revenge for that kiss, and for bringing all these damn feelings to the surface. Feelings I never asked for. Feelings I didn’t want.

I had a girlfriend before that kiss. We hadn’t... fooled around. We hadn’t fucked, if I’m blunt. But we were solid, and since then, I had to dump her because all I could think about was him.

My grades also took a dive because I felt like I was harboring this enormous secret from everyone. It wasn’t a secret I wanted to keep. Dammit, Noah, you dickhead.

I sneak out of the house again and to my car, driving back to our frat house. Declan’s there waiting for me.

“Did you do it?” he asks.

“Yeah, I think I spooked him. He caught me though, and he’s pissed, so you can expect some repercussions.” I run a hand over my hair.

“They won’t report us. This is a tradition as old as time. We’ve been enemies since the frat houses were formed.” Declan pats me on the back. “You did good, Ace. You’re going to go far in life if you keep this up.”

“What? Pranking other people?” I know I sound annoyed, and I shouldn’t, but Declan looks at me.

“No, following orders. Doing what you’re told to do. Taking one for the team. Those sorts of actions will get you far in life.” He ruffles my dark hair, and I head inside. I go to the bathroom and splash my face. I’m irrationally angry. Why did I do that? I risk Noah outing me as much as I’m outing Noah. I stare into my piercing blue eyes and wonder if I look older. As though doing this sort of shit ages a person.

Or is it keeping secrets? Does keeping secrets age you faster than usual?

There’s going to be retaliation from the Delta Kappa Order, and, knowing Noah, he will ensure they target me. There’s nothing for it now. What’s done is done. I can only move forward and try to mitigate whatever return investment I get from my payment to the karmic circle of life.

There’s a banging on the front door, and then it slams open. I come out of the bathroom, and it’s the police in full swat gear. “On the floor now!”

The few brothers with me in the house raise their hands, and we all get on our knees on the floor. “What’s going on?” Declan asks.

“Drug raid,” the one officer says. “Anonymous tip off.”

Declan hisses. “Delta Kappa Order.”

I frown. What a waste of police time. I should say something, but then if it was Noah, it’ll get him into serious trouble. I think this is best left to be played out.

A cop manhandles me on the floor and searches me. I know I’ve got nothing on me, but a weird part of my brain panics anyway. What if someone planted something on me? What if I forgot something in my pocket?

Wait, I don’t do drugs.

It takes hours for them to comb through the house, and by then, a few of the other brothers arrive back from the party to see what’s going on.

CHAPTER FOUR

Noah

I watch from down the road as the cops raid theAlpha Omega Phihouse, and I smirk. That’ll teach those assholes to mess with my stuff. I walk back toward my house, a few brothers walking with me.

“I can’t believe you called the cops on them,” Richard says.

“Yeah, well, they messed with art I’m doing for school. That’s my education they’re messing with.” I lead the way back into the house where the other brothers are waiting for the report back.

I smile brightly. “They’re going to be up all night with the police combing through their shit.”

The guys whoop and holler, and I go back to my room to keep putting it back together. Adrian The Dickhead did a real number on it. The painting will have to be started on again, this time with a black base coat. I paint it on thick to hide the words my stepbrother painted on there.

I know your secret.

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