Page 1 of Vendetta

CHAPTER 1

LANDRY

Bexley and I wove our way through the crowded living room, every inch of space packed with bodies. The heavy bass thumped relentlessly, reverberating through every room of Olivia’s “modest” three-story mansion—a house that had clearly earned its reputation as the ultimate college party haven.

It was my first party since starting at Ivybrook Elite University just a week ago, and judging by Bexley’s wide eyes and jittery energy, it was likely her first party ever. Clutching her hand tightly, I guided her through the throng of rowdy college kids.

Despite it being barely noon on a Sunday, most of the crowd already seemed well past tipsy, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if they’d started drinking as soon as they rolled out of bed. But this was college, and I was ready to dive headfirst into everything these next four years had in store.

“Let’s grab a drink, then we can look for Liv and TJ!” I shouted over the pounding music, miming a drinking motion with my free hand to make sure Bexley understood me above the blaring speakers. We found the kitchen tucked into the far-left corner of the first floor, sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows and casting a warm glow over the space. The windows offered a perfect view of the backyard pool area, where more partygoers were already gathering. At the center of the kitchen stood a massive marble island, spacious enough for ten barstools and completely covered with everything from imported beer to top-shelf liquor.

I grabbed two cups and started mixing Cosmopolitans, going easy on the vodka for Bexley. After all, I’d already learned about her low tolerance during our first night as roommates. She’d barely made it through a single glass of wine before she was belting out Taylor Swift songs into a wooden spoon and collapsing into fits of laughter at everything I said.

With red solo cups in hand, we maneuvered through the sea of bodies once more, aiming to find our way outside. Descending the first set of steps, we arrived at a spacious landing featuring beer pong tables and a fire pit crackling at its center. From there, we continued down a second set of steps that opened up to a stunning infinity pool, flanked by lush green lawns on either side. The lawns were dotted with covered lounge chairs, offering an escape from the chaos.

I glanced over at the pool house on the right, where a covered patio housed flat-screen TVs and a couple of pool tables. Still, Olivia’s teddy-bear-blonde hair and TJ’s broad shoulders and golden locks were nowhere to be seen. Finally, I spottedthem in the hot tub at the far-left end of the pool and pointed us in their direction.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so glad you guys made it!” Olivia squealed, pulling us into a warm embrace, her tan skin radiating heat from the blazing sun.

I had met Olivia a few years back at cheerleading summer camp. We didn’t go to the same high school, but somehow, we’d managed to stay close over the years. She was the only friend I had left after I cut ties with everyone following my accident earlier this year. Olivia had refused to let me slip away into isolation, showing up unannounced at my dad’s estate to drag me out of bed on the days I dodged her calls and wallowed in my depression. I often wondered what I’d done to deserve the unwavering loyalty and love Olivia had always shown me. But in the end, I knew that was just who she was—fiercely loyal to the people she cared about.

“Come on, you guys have to meet the rest of the group!” she said, her voice brimming with excitement as she led us toward the large hot tub, which, thankfully, wasn’t turned on in the ninety-degree heat.

Olivia took the lead, leaving Bexley and I trailing behind. Bex shot me a pleading look, silently begging me to go first. I obliged, stepping ahead while she hovered just behind me. We reached the edge of the hot tub, where Olivia wasted no time climbing in and settling onto her boyfriend’s lap. Her petite frame looked almost comical compared to his towering, muscular build, but they fit together in a way that made perfect sense.

“Guys, meet Landry and Bexley! It’s their first year at Ivybrook,” Olivia announced to the group, her voice bubblingwith enthusiasm. “Landry’s my best friend from high school, and Bex is her roommate. They’re the ones I visited in the dorms last Sunday!”

“Hey guys, I’m Landry. It’s really nice to meet you all!” I said, glancing around at the group. Aside from Olivia and TJ, four guys occupied the space.

“Nate,” said the one sitting closest to Olivia. He gave me a warm smile that deepened the dimples in his cheeks. “I play on the lacrosse team with TJ.” While not as broad as TJ, Nate had an athletic build and shaggy ash-brown hair that added to his laid-back charm.

Next was a guy with a slimmer frame, though still impressively defined. His pale complexion stood out sharply against his jet-black hair and the intricate tattoos that sprawled across his neck, chest, arms, and hands. With the mischievous glint in his dark eyes and his crooked grin, he practically exuded trouble. If I had to guess, Zayn was the wildcard of the group.

Sitting on the tub’s edge next to him was Kaptan—'Kap’, as Olivia introduced him. He had TJ’s imposing build paired with tattoos nearly rivaling Zayn’s in quantity.

And then my gaze landed on the last guy in the group, and I felt my breath hitch. His piercing green eyes locked onto mine with a force that sent a ripple of unease and intrigue down my spine. Something about him felt familiar, though I couldn’t place it. Maybe it was the sheer intensity of his stare, the way it seemed to pin me in place.

Pulling myself together, I extended a hand toward him. He didn’t move, remaining casually reclined back on his arms at the edge of the tub. Yet his posture belied the sharp focus in his expression. Contrary to the indifference he was projecting, therewas nothing bored about the way he assessed me from head to toe.

Goosebumps prickled my skin as his emerald gaze burned into me. His hair, almost as dark as Zayn and Kap’s, hung just to his eyes, the sides trimmed slightly shorter. A tiger tattoo sprawled across one side of his chest, its fierce design adding to his commanding presence.

An eternity seemed to pass before he finally broke the silence.

“Cashton.”

He offered nothing more, making no effort to meet my extended hand. I let it fall awkwardly back to my side, trying to ignore the heat rising to my cheeks.

Bexley stepped in with a quick, “Bex,” accompanied by a shy smile and a small wave. She followed me into the hot tub, her timid presence a welcome contrast to the tension simmering around Cashton.

We settled into the open seating near the steps, with Olivia and TJ on Bexley’s right and Cashton—silent and imposing—on my right.

“So, what are you two gorgeous ladies drinking today?” Zayn asked, his cheeky grin solidifying my theory that he was the group’s resident bad boy.

The fiery blush spreading across Bexley’s cheeks had me answering for both of us. “Cosmopolitans—my personal favorite.”

A barely audible snicker came from my right. I didn’t need to look to know it was Cashton. Ignoring him, I turned my attention back to Zayn.

“I know it sounds fancy and pretentious, but it’s really just four ingredients. They’re refreshing without being too sweet—perfect for summer weather.”

---