Page 15 of Vengeful Princess

“Hi, I’m Eden, by the way. Are you a freshman? I am.” She beamed at me before taking a bite of what looked like a ham and cheese roll, which reminded me I needed to eat something. And soon.

My stomach grumbled almost immediately. “Um, sort of. I transferred in. I’m Thea.”

“I can watch your stuff if you want to get some food?” Eden offered.

I’d never had a female friend. Dar had been my only friend.

“I’m not hungry,” I lied, wishing she’d leave me alone.

“The growly sounds your stomach’s making say otherwise!” She laughed softly and took another bite of her sandwich. “It’s OK. I’ll shut up now.”

I wasn’t here to make friends. But the way her smile dulled at my cool response made me feel shitty, like I’d kicked a cute puppy by accident.

Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to act like a normal human being.

“Um, thanks, I will go get some food if you’re OK watching my textbook and stuff?”

She smirked. “Sure, no problem. Although I highly doubt anyone would want to steal that brick.” A teasing laugh tumbled from her lips and she grinned.

Despite my misgivings, I smiled back. “You’re not wrong there. I fell asleep three times in this morning’s lecture.”

Eden chuckled. “I’m not surprised. Business classes must be boring as hell.”

We both laughed in agreement and then a small spark of hope unfurled deep inside. Even if I didn’t plan to stick around here for long, perhaps I could experience what it was like to be a college student, one with real-life friends.

Torrance wasn’t around to threaten me or drag me out in the middle of the night to do my father’s dirty work. Here, I was free.

“So I’ve heard rumors that there’s a fight club in Glen Cross,” Eden said in a low voice brimming with excitement. “We should go!”

No, we shouldn’t. It sounded like a terrible idea. A distraction I didn’t need. Eden hadn’t stopped yammering since she finished her sandwich. I’d long since given up trying to pretend-read my textbook.

Yet, I was still here. What was wrong with me?

“Not sure a visit to an underground fight club is the best idea. It could be dangerous.” Not that I gave a damn about that, but Eden didn’t look the type of girl who was comfortable with extreme violence.

Eden scoffed. “I’m used to that kind of thing.”

My eyes narrowed. Had I underestimated her? “Oh?”

She looked around, checking to make sure nobody was listening. “Yeah, my family is, um, connected to some less than savory, um, elements.” A faint blush colored her cheeks, as if she was worried that I might judge. If only she knew how similar we were.

“So you’re saying your family has criminal leanings?” It didn’t hurt to clarify.

“Kind of. My uncle is Irish mafia. Dad got out while he was young, but I grew up with my cousins, and they are all involved in the family business.” She grinned. “Declan, the eldest, is a psycho. He’s a cage fighter when he’s not doing shady shit for Uncle Seamus, and I’ve been to loads of his fights. It’s fun!”

My jaw dropped.

“I’ve seen a few fights in my time,” I hedged. “They can be fun.”Especially when I have the pleasure of taking down a man three times my size.

“Then we should go!” Eden bounced on her chair with excitement and then frowned when she saw I wasn’t nearly as enthused at the idea. “Come on! I can’t go on my own!” Eden pouted adorably, and I sighed.

“Fine! I’ll come with you if you can’t find anyone else to go with.” Maybe one of the other girls would offer to take her. She must have overheard some of them gossiping.

“Well… Olivia was the one who mentioned it, and I know for sure she won’t invite me.” From Eden’s scowl, I knew exactly who she meant.

Olivia Huntington was the queen bee here. She swanned around with her little clique of bitchy friends and acted like she owned the place. There was always one girl like Olivia.

“I’ll find out where the club is and we can go, yeah? I have a car parked in the student parking garage. I don’t mind driving.”

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