Page 4 of Wicked Games

I let my head fall back against the back of the settee. “Of fucking course he shows up now.”

“Are you going to let me in?”

“It’s unlocked.”

The door swings open and Felix steps inside.

“Did you forget how to open a door?” I ask as he shifts the duffle bag on his shoulder and closes the door behind him.

“I figured I’d be polite and ask to come in,” he says, his expression completely blank. “Don’t worry. They gave me a key, so that’s the last time you’ll have to inconvenience yourself by shouting across the room.”

“You’ve been here for less than ten seconds, and you’re already pissing me off.” I shift so I’m sitting on the settee with both feet planted on the floor and my forearms on my thighs. “Trust me when I say today is not the day.”

“Noted.” He looks around my room, his eyes landing on the empty bed across from mine.

The dorms at Silvercrest range from basic to palatial, depending on the building you’re assigned to and which group you belong to. Jace, Jax, and I, along with all the other junior members of the frat, live in Hamilton House. The senior members live in Rebel House, which is a huge Victorian mansion on the outskirts of our corner of the campus. I can’t fucking wait until next year when it’s our turn to move in.

Each room in the dorm is set up to house two members with beds across from each other, desks against the far wall, some shelving, a huge wooden wardrobe on each side of the room, and a private bathroom. In the middle of the space is a common sitting area with a ridiculous settee, a comfortable couch, and a coffee table.

The dorm itself is a self-contained living space with meeting and study rooms, two gyms, a pool, a dining hall, multiple media rooms, several communal spaces and lounges, on-site laundry, and a cleaning service. The only time we have to leave is to go to class.

Everyone in the building might be members, but there’s a hierarchy of membership, and our family name puts me, Jax, and Jace at the top of the list.

Our great-grandfathers were founding members of the frat back when the school was established, and our grandfathers and fathers were all high-ranking members when they were at Silvercrest. This gives us founding legacy status and affords us special perks like not having to share our rooms if we don’t want to. It also guarantees us a room in Rebel House in our last year at school while the other senior legacies have to earn a place in the main house.

The twins are roommates because that’s what they prefer, but I’ve taken advantage of my position for the last three years and lived alone.

Until today.

“Are you waiting for an engraved invitation?” I ask Felix, my irritation at his very presence in my room clear in my voice. “Get your ass in here and stop hovering like a creep.”

He slides his gaze back to mine. “I see you still have that sunny disposition you’re known for.”

Anger flows through me like a living thing, raising my hackles until my entire body is taut, like a snake coiled and ready to strike its prey. Felix has been here for less than a minute, and I already want to rip him in half. How the fuck am I supposed to spend the rest of the year as his roommate and not kill him?

Felix walks over to the empty bed and tosses his duffle bag on it like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

My stepbrother is one of the most annoying people I’ve ever met, and he’s also one of the fakest.

He might have fooled our parents and professors and everyone else into believing he’s as perfect as he pretends to be, but I’ve seen the real him under his carefully curated facade.

Everything from his preppy-boy wardrobe to his overly polite manners is as fake as a three-dollar bill. So is the mask of indifference he always wears.

Felix might be a master at hiding his emotions and pretending he doesn’t have any, but I know it’s only a matter of time before his persona cracks and his true nature comes out for everyone to see.

Without meaning to, I rake my gaze over his frame, taking in his loose sweats and baggy hoodie. His hair is a mess, and he’s wearing mismatched socks and slides. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen him dressed down like this. It makes himlook more like a typical student and less like the buttoned-up Poindexter I’m used to.

“Let’s go,” Jax says, tearing my attention away from my stepbrother. “We’ve got business to take care of.”

“Yeah.” I stand and toss Felix a flat look. “Don’t even think about touching my stuff, or I’ll end you.”

He blinks at me, his face the picture of innocence. “How will you know if I think about it? Are you clairvoyant? Quick, what number am I thinking about?”

“Watch it, you little?—”

Jax grabs my arm and tugs me toward the door. “Ignore him. We don’t have time to dispose of a body right now.”

I let Jax pull me out of the room.

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