Page 107 of Vile Boys

Brooke: Awesome! Meet us at Club RIVERA around eight.

Then I put my phone down. “There. It’s a done deal.”

Ares

I straightenmy collar and clear my throat, then knock on his door.

“Come in.”

I push down the handle, the metal feeling like it weighs a ton in my hand as I open the door.

Five guys with tons of tattoos and piercings stand in front of his desk, their heads turned as their gazes fixate on me.

“Ares. Glad you could finally make room for me in your schedule.” It’s hard not to miss the sarcasm in his voice. My father points at a chair in the back. “Sit.”

I walk past the men and sit down, their gazes still upon me like hawks ready to strike their prey.

“Mi hijo… care to explain yourself?” my father asks.

“No.” I fold my arms.

“These men have told me you’ve been killing some of their guys. Is that true?”

I avert my eyes. “I don’t remember.”

My father’s fist comes down on the table, and my eye twitches in response.

“Speak the truth, now.”

“They came onto my property,” I say, crossing my legs too. “I have the right to defend myself.”

“They were there with orders,” one of the men in front of my father’s desk growls. “You had no right.”

“I hadeveryright,” I retort, my fist balling. “I paid for that lot of land Tartarus was built on out of my own pocket. Iownit.” I zero in on the men standing in front of my father’s desk, all high and mighty. “And I will defend it when someone trespasses.”

My father’s nostrils flare. “Regardless. They were there for a purpose.”

“Oh really? On campus grounds?” I rebuke. “Because I’m more than willing to explain to the dean what they were doing there. I’m sure the board members will be curious to know all about it.”

My father’s eyes widen, and the men seem on edge.

Good.

I know he’s been scheming with them, but I won’t allow it to happen on Tartarus grounds.

“I will make reparations,” my father tells the men, ignoring me. “You have my word.” He holds out his hand.

“Your word better be worth something,” the main guy says, shaking his hand. “Because if not, our mutual understanding will be over.”

“I will not risk any of our lucrative deals over my son’s indiscretions.” He throws me a brief glare. “You are valuable business partners.” He adds a snakelike smile before handing them a check. “I know it will not replace the lives lost, but please take this asan olive branch.”

“Thanks,” the guy says before he flicks his fingers at his other men. “You’ll hear from us.”

“Of course,” my father says as they turn around. “Rest assured, I will deal with my son.”

When his gaze settles on me, I can practically see the fire blazing behind his eyes, and as the door closes, the darkness surrounds us once again.

And the only sound is my heart as it beats wildly out of control.

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