Page 102 of Brutal Kingdom

“And you don’t suspect, Archie?”

“No. It wasn’t him.” She’s looking up at the building when she says. “I know it was uncomfortable and we hoped to keep this under the radar for as long as possible, but I’m glad they came here today. They’ve played their hands too quickly.”

“Pepper, this won’t be the last time they try to corner me.”

Her gaze settles back on me. “No. It won’t, but after the show you put on in there, by the time Ruttledge regroups and finds more people to pull to his side, it’ll be too late.”

Emmett closes the door, tips his hat at me with a wink, and walks around the back of the car to slide into the driver’s seat. I watch them pull into traffic and turn to Kassidy and Rocco. “You guys, I second what Pepper said. Thanks for coming down here. I don’t know how you got here so fast.”

Kassidy points to the empty parking spot where Pepper’s car just was. “That Pepper lady’s driver called me and said you needed me. So I cut class, to come here.” She hooks her thumb at Rocco. “This loon followed me and offered me a ride, then ordered his driver to ignore all the red lights to get here. I thought I was gonna die.” She turns to him and says. “We should really address why you find it so easy to disregard rules and operate outside the established boundaries society has set for a safe and -”

Rocco has one word for her. “No.”

I crack up, watching Kassidy’s face contort. She’s used to dominating the conversation and he just refused to let her wax poetic about his bad boy vibe.

When my laughter settles, I ask, “Can someone give me a ride?”

Rocco tosses a set of keys to Kassidy. “What’s this?” She looks at them, her nose scrunched up like she smells something rotten.

“Your ride. Park it outside your dorm, with the keys locked in the glove box. Somebody will be by to pick it up.”

Frowning at him, she asks, “How do I know there’s not drugs or a dead body in the trunk?”

“You don’t, but if you find any, you better not flush or bury them.” He slides into the back of the car that just pulled up to the curb with two of his bodyguards in the front seat. Once his door closes, they pull off, leaving Kassidy and I standing on the sidewalk. Slowly, our gaze shifts to the car in front of us.

Kassidy casts a worried look at the trunk. “I was kidding about that drugs and dead body thing. He was too, right?”

Shrugging my shoulders, I climb into the passenger seat. I’m around Rocco because of Graham and Rumi, and sure he’s got a bit of a twisted sense of humor, but considering where he’s from and who his father is, I just call it good manners to assume he’s only joking thirty percent of the time.

“Logan, my boy. It’s good to see you.”

“Good to see you, too.” I’ve been greeting people for an hour, pretending like my mind isn’t back on campus with my girlfriend (she’s still not accepting the title, but it’s only a matter of time before she does). I hate that this is another weekend I won’t get to see her. But after tonight’s ceremony, my time will be my own again.

Wilmington Kurt’s recognition dinner wasn’t one I could miss, since I’m one of the interns being honored here tonight. I had an article with one of the highest readerships of last quarter. Bella’s here, as my guest. When the speculation about our relationship starts, tonight will go down as one of our first public appearances together as a couple.

Once I get my plaque, I’m out of here on dad’s jet. Bella can find her own way home. I’m looking around the room, plotting the fastest way to escape. My gaze slides to the door. Time freezes. The muttered curse word on my right, says Bella’s spotted her too.

This isn’t gonna end well. I haven’t had a chance to prepare Jordanna for what’s happening with Bella, and there’s no time to do it now. She’s gonna think I’ve been stringing her along all this time just for this moment. Fuck, how do I keep winding up in this situation?

I wanna go to her, but there are too many people standing around. We’re standing close to the door. She’ll have to walk by us. There’s no way Bella won’t use this moment to make a statement, and because of this stupid contract, I can’t interfere. I have to let this play out and hope I can fix it before Jordy lashes out and does something stupid.

On cue, Bella calls out to Jordy to make sure she sees us together. “Jordanna. I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.”

I watch her posture stiffen. She can’t make a scene either, because she’s dealing with the court of public opinion trying to win the elite families over. “I came with Kassidy.”

Bella slips her arm through mine and smiles. “Well, we’re happy you could make it. We’re all so very proud of the recognition Logan’s receiving tonight.” She leans her head against my shoulder. It’sthatmove that changes the dynamic of Jordy’s perception of us and the way Bella melts against me that makes it seem so real. I told her not to touch me and she’s doing it anyway, knowing I can’t push her ass to the ground without someone catching it on film, or her father calling off this contract. I don’t care about the contract. I’d be rid of Bella, but dad’s next official act as CEO of McKay Media would be kissing it goodbye as he hands over the keys to Aiden. McKay Media comes first, so I stand like a mannequin, letting Bella touch and pat me.

Jordanna can’t hide the shock on her face. Neither can Kassidy. Bella smiles, enjoying this momentary victory, and says, “Oh, I see someone we need to speak to. Do enjoy the partyJordy.”

It’s the use of the nickname that only I’ve ever used and Bella’s hand in mine that solidifies what’s happening. Most people go Instagram official. But in Kingsley Hollow hand holding in public is the measure by which we grade relationships.

I allow Bella to pull me away, but throughout the night, I keep track of Jordanna as she works the room. When I see her heading for the hallway, I follow. She’s on the phone with someone inside one of the offices. Her call ends, and she exits the room, her steps stalling when she sees me.

My voice holds a note of censure, when I say, “You told me you were staying in tonight. You’re a long way from campus.”

She arches a brow, challenging me. “I could say the same about you.”

“Dad and I flew down after my last class. I had to be here tonight.”

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