Page 3 of Sypher

“Liar.”

With a groan, I sat up and glared at my friend, my heart pounding in my chest, and asked, “Why are you really here, Dante?”

I met Dante shortly after arriving at school. His bright smile was the first thing I noticed in the crowded hallway. He shared a multitude of similarities with me, making us quite alike in many aspects of our lives. Brilliant, good with computers, and a loner. Because of those similarities, we became good friends.

We kind of just clicked.

I came from a large family, a stark contrast to Dante’s solitary upbringing, where he lacked the company and support of loved ones. He listened intently and genuinely seemed curious when I spoke of my family back home—his interest evident in the numerous questions he asked.

Leaning forward, he looked at me, a sigh escaping his lips like a whispered confession. “I’ve been approached to prospect for the Soulless Sinners.”

Turning to my best friend, I frowned, noticing the worry etched into his features. “But you haven’t finished school.”

“My start-up went global. What more can this place teach me that I don’t already know?”

“You only have a few more classes before graduation. Make them wait.”

“You, of all people, know it doesn’t work that way.”

“If you don’t want to join them, tell them no.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

Dante stood and walked to my window, his shadow stretching long and thin across the room as he stared out into the night, the darkness pressing in from the glass.

“Danny,” he said, his voice tight with suspicion. “Have you looked into my past?”

“Why are you asking me that?”

Dante shrugged, and the muscles in his shoulders tightened as he stood at the window, never looking at me. The darkness outside was a stark contrast to the dim light of the room.

“Promise me you won’t.”

“Dante, what’s going on?”

“Just promise me, Danny.”

“Can’t do that.”

He let out a long, weary sigh, his shoulders slumping. He nodded, almost as if the weight of the world laid heavy onhis chest. When he turned to face me, his eyes flickered with something I couldn’t decipher, and then, with a quick and subtle shift in his demeanor, he deftly changed the subject. He excelled at that when the conversation became too much, silently retreating into himself.

“You should know that Gabby has been going around campus telling everyone who would listen that you two are an item.”

With a dramatic roll of my eyes, I let out a long, drawn-out groan. “No, we’re not. We had sex once. That was it.”

“Told you she was going to be trouble.”

“I can handle her,” I stated, getting to my feet.

“No, you can’t.” He shook his head, smirking as he walked toward me. “That’s why I took care of her for you. She won’t be a problem anymore.”

“What did you do?” I asked suspiciously.

His hands, warm and gentle, cradled my face as he gazed into my eyes, before he rested his forehead against mine and whispered softly, “What I will always do where you are concerned. You are too trusting, Danny. You see the good in everyone. If you’re not careful, that trust will bite you in the ass.”

“Don’t go.”

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