Page 40 of Envy

“How would you know? You don’t have a heart.” I pause, remembering I came with Amy. “My friend––”

“I ordered her a ride.”

I blink.

”Told her she had to leave.”

“Why?”

He shrugs. “Because I said so.”

We step outside. I freeze. His car is inches from the first step. “Are you insane?”

He opens my door. “I think you figured put what I’m capable of.” His voice lowers. “Even had glimpse with my friends.” He holds the door. Waiting. Now, get in the car.”

I fold my arms. “Or what?”

A shadow of amusement crosses his face. Then it disappears. He steps forward. His body cages mine.

I tilt my chin up. The back of my neck hits the edge of the door.

His eyes burn into mine. “I’ll make sure our audience knows how wet you get when I press my cock over that hot cunt of yours.”

Heat spikes up my spine. “You wouldn’t.” I challenge him. He smirks “I disgust you, remember?”

His eyes don’t waver. They pin me in place. “Get in the car, Rose.” Then he walks to the driver’s side.

I don’t move. I don’t get in the car. Not until my pulse slows and my hands stop shaking.

Since arrivingat Garret’s house, he’s been a ghost. The bedroom door was left open—a silent invitation, or maybe just indifference—but the space around me feels suffocating. Like the drive over here.

He didn’t say a word. No cruel remarks. No taunts. No surprises.

Just silence.

He drove the short distance like I wasn’t there. But that wasn’t what unsettled me. It was the restraint. The tension.

Garret opened the car door for me, a gesture so unexpectedly chivalrous that I hesitated before stepping out. But that was as far as his civility went. No instructions. No threats. Just an unreadable gaze that sent a ripple of unease through my chest.

And now, I don’t know how to feel. Am I angry that he dragged me away from Leo? That he ruined the brief glimpse of normalcy I’d let myself enjoy? Or am I conflicted by something else—that itbotheredhim? That hesaw mewith another guy and reacted?

I don’t want to sit in this room and let my thoughts eat me alive.

Carefully, I push open the door and step into the hallway, my bare feet silent against the cool marble. The house is eerily quiet. No Ace. No sounds of movement.

I exhale, telling myself maybe Garret went to sleep. Maybe he left.

I move forward, curiosity leading me down a hallway—one I haven’t explored before. The house is massive, a maze of intricate woodwork and cold stone, like a living museum of wealth and legacy.

I pass a library filled with books stacked to the ceiling, a ladder affixed to a rail. It reminds me of the one on campus, and for a moment, I pause, about to step inside.

Then I hear it.

A low splash, followed by another.

My heart jumps.

Music plays faintly, its haunting melody curling through the air like smoke. The intro ofNo Time To Diedrifts through the open space, growing louder as I follow the sound. My pulse quickens when I step into the indoor pool area.

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