Page 6 of The Catalyst

One thing I’ve learned is to never give the enemy your back. They’re more likely to stab it.

Judy and I lean against the keg as we watch Ronan and his friend approach, but I don't notice the petite blonde until right before the duo reaches us and wraps herself around the stranger who has stared at me non-stop.

His eyes go from full of light to murderous in half a second as he pushes her claws off of him. “Fuck off, Casey!” he snaps at her and, even though he said it with venom, I have no doubt I could use his voice alone to get off with no issues. It's so deep and thick with an accent that seems halfway between southern and Irish. I’ve never considered myself the kind of girl with an accent kink, but?—

“But, baby!” the girl pouts and I nearly vomit. Does she have zero self-respect?

“Dammit!” The word flies out without my consent and all eyes fall on me. Well, this is awkward.

“Butt out, bitch!” Casey sneers at me as the stranger pushes her away in a “fuck off” motion.

“One,bitchisn’t an insult at all. You seriously need to up your ammunition. Two, I just realized I lost the game.”

Perla and Arely laugh as Ronan and Judy join in. The stranger grins at me like that was the right thing to say. I sound fucking ridiculous.

The game? Yeah, I know what the game is, but I’ve never used it to benefit myself before.

“The game?” Casey twists her pretty face into something unrecognizable.

“New girl! You just made usalllose the game!” Arely laughs as she clutches her stomach.

“Great job, Bellatrix,” Judy mutters and I glare at her.

“It’s Beatrice.”

She gives me a look . I know it’s a game and play along with it.

“It’s not Bellatrix?”

“I’d rather die than be named after Le Strange, Jasmin.” I roll my eyes.

“It’s Jane,” she retorts.

“Are you sure?”

She shrugs. “It’s on my birth certificate.”

“Well, shit. I already got the friendship bracelets engraved at Claire’s. They have the names Bellatrix and Jasmin.”

“I thought you hated the name Bellatrix?” she asks, but I can see she is barely holding in her laughter.

“Why would I hate it? It goes so well with Jasmin. Plus, whatever guy or girl is cursed to fall madly in love with me will already think I’m the scum of the Earth. The only way to go is up.” I shrug with a goofy smile.

“He’ll have to be a complete idiot, Bianca.”

“Absolutely bonkers, Janet.”

We both grin before we burst out laughing.

“You both are freaks!” Casey hisses at us, but I’m unaffected. However, Judy is upset by it, even though she tries to hide it. We stop laughing instantly.

“Shut the fuck up, Casey!” Ronan practically growls at her, his eyes full of fury. “Get the hell off our property or you’ll find out what we do with trespassers.”

I smirk as my eyes turn to Judy, who is stunned by Ronan standing up for her. I guess he likes her too, or maybe he’s just a decent guy. Either way, I approve.

“Ni—”

“Don’t even try it. Leave.” The stranger sneers at her, cutting her off before she can utter his name and I breathe a sigh of relief.

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