Page 2 of Misconduct & Manipulation

I’ve got two black eyes, but I’m not blind. The girl is gorgeous in a subtle kind of way, with long, brown hair and a body full of curves. Let me not get started on her lips. The first time I saw her, all I kept imagining was how perfect they would look wrapped around my cock. Then she revealed why she was all up in my grill and though I wasn’t a fan of talking to reporters, I gave her the story she wanted for the Sinners Gazette in hopes that I’d have her in my bed afterwards.

Naturally that didn’t happen.

She got what she wanted and disappeared after that. Two days later my mug was on the front page of the school newspaper accompanied by the headline “Meet The Man Who Is Going To Lead The Sinners To Victory.”

If I’m being honest, it was a great article—one that got me laid a whole lot, just not by the girl I wanted most.

Her.

She flinches at my crass words.

“You did, indeed, tell me tofuck off,” she replies hoarsely. “But I’m nothing if I’m not persistent.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and steps toward me. “Johnny…” she murmurs softly as she comes to stand just inches in front of me. It’s the closest we’ve ever been to one another and the first time I’m getting a waft of her sweet perfume. She slowly lifts her hand and I inhale sharply, suddenly feeling like a live wire.

One touch and I’ll be a goner.

My facial expression must convey that thought because she drops her hand.

“Who did this to you?”

Clenching my jaw, I take a step closer, closing the little distance between us.

“Why don’t you do us both a favor, Hailey, and walk away. I already told you I’ve got nothing to say to you.”

“Johnny your father was killed and now someone beat the shit out of you—”

I cut her off.

“I am not going to be your next big story, Hailey. Now, I’ll say it again, and I’ll say it a little slower so maybe it sinks in.” I lean into her and when she exhales, I feel her breath whisp across my lips. Ignoring the jolt of desire in my gut, I sneer, “Fuck off.”

Those whiskey eyes flash with anger, and she squares her shoulders back as she glares at me.

She was a smoke show before but seeing her angry and ready to rip me to shreds only tips the scales and makes my dick harder than it’s ever been.

The things I’d do to her.

“You don’t scare me, Johnny. If you don’t want to talk to me about what happened to your father, fine. I’m still going to write that story, with or without you. But right now, I’m not here for the story. You’re hurt and you’re drunk and I’m too fucking stupid to walk away, so let me help you.”

I consider her words for a moment and through my drunken haze I see the sincerity in her eyes. For a brief moment I let myself imagine what it might be like to have someone in my corner. Someone to confide in and make sense of everything that’s been thrown at me since I discovered my father not only impregnated one of the students here, but also tried to kill her and cut the unborn baby from her body. I would love nothing more than to unload all of that, but in doing so I would be putting Hailey at risk and while some people will tell you I’m a self-centered prick, I’m really not.

That’s why I came here in the first place. I need Mike Robinson, the star football player who stepped up and claimed my unborn sister as his, to get Cassie out of here, before the Scorpio Society finishes what my father started. Right now there is nothing connecting my father’s murder to what happened to Cassie. When Mike brought her into the hospital all sliced up, they stitched up her stomach and assured them that my father hadn’t cut deep enough to harm the baby, that she’d be able to carry her to term. But the cops questioned both Mike and Cassie. Neither of them gave up my father in fear of what might happen.

You see while no one truly understands how these sick fucks operate, we all know to steer clear. But if they think there is the slightest chance that any of what happened could bounce back on them, they will eliminate the threat. Why do you think the suicide rate at Stonewall is so high? They kill and cover their tracks, making it appear as the stress of college is the killer on campus.

“My apartment is on the third floor,” Hailey says, pulling me out of my head. “At least let me clean you up. That gash under your eye is pretty bad. You wouldn’t want to get it infected. I swear I won’t ask any questions.”

I tear my eyes away from her and stare at the wall of mailboxes, particularly the one that reads Robinson. It doesn’t look like any one is home. I should just leave. Tomorrow is another day.

My gaze swings back to Hailey.

Or I could stay.

I could let her bring me upstairs to her apartment under the guise of cleaning me up and I can lose myself in her. For one night, I can pretend like my father didn’t sell my soul to a band of devils.

Seeming to read my mind, Hailey holds out her hand, but before I can take it, something flashes outside. I narrow my eyes at the glass doors behind Hailey, trying my hardest to make out where it came from, but it’s too dark outside. Dread churns in my gut and I act on pure instinct, reaching for Hailey. I’m about to throw her behind me but she pulls away.

“What are you doing?” she hisses.

I don’t have a chance to respond because in a split second the flash returns and gunfire fills the lobby.

---