Page 57 of Distorted Obsession

“What the hell did she do?” Colter questions.

“She utilized Portia’s food court tactics.”

If I know my brother, his jaw is clenched as he fights to control his temper. “Didn’t her friend just die? I wouldn’t think she’d want to visit her in the afterlife so soon,” he growls.

Snorting, I retort, “Stupidity has no self-preservation. However, I reminded stupidity that this is their final warning. Everyone is now on notice. A slip-up here will cost them dearly.”

Colter hums in agreement. “Good. We can’t let things get out of control, or Mom will find out and hand us our asses on a platinum platter.”

“A diamond-studded one at that,” I chuckle, making him laugh.

I’m about to end the call when I remember a question. “Colt.”

“Yeah, man,” he grunts.

“Any updates from O or Wy about our game?”

Since a damn nut took out Portia, we had to put off ending Thad. You just can’t have multiple students dying back-to-back without raising suspicion.

“Right after the semester ends. It’s easier for a student to go missing or turn up dead from extenuating circumstances back at home than here on campus,” he explains.

I won’t lie—the idea of that fuckhead still walking the earth and not being able to question him boils my blood.

“Fine,” I groan. “We’ll keep an eye out in case an opportunity presents itself.”

“Agreed. Now move your ass. You’ve taken long enough.” I move the phone from my ear when he shouts, “Oh, and make sure you come in through the back so she doesn’t see you.”

Smiling, I try to tamp down my excitement for how easily Eva is falling into our hands as I slide my phone into my pocket and break into a full sprint.

It’s time to move to the next phase of our plan.

24

eva

I standoutside Coop and Colt’s condo, wringing my wrists, too nervous to go in. The high I was riding after my confrontation with Candace ended dramatically once I set foot outside their house. I’ve been pacing back and forth for what feels like an eternity, desperately trying to summon the courage to ring the bell.

“How long do you plan on walking a hole into our sidewalk?” someone asks.

Shrieking, I turn, my heart nearly jumping out of my body. “You scared the shit out of me,” I breathe, resting my palm against the thumping chest.

“My bad. I didn’t mean to spook you,” he says, and I finally take him in.

The man before me is a few inches taller than I am. His soft hazel eyes, with flecks of green and blue, light with amusement, and his full lips curve into a smirk before he runs his hands through his wavy blond hair.

“No worries. I’m good now,” I mumble. “I’m Eva,” I say, waving awkwardly.

Way to be a dork, Evie.

A bright smile forms on his face,making his tanned complexion more vibrant.

“Stefano,” he greets with a hint of an Italian accent.

Arching a brow, I ask, “Rilevu n'accentu talianu?”

“Yes. My family moved here from Sicily generations ago, but we all spent our formative years there for school,” he confirms.

Smiling, I reply, “My brother and I did something similar, except we would spend summers in Morocco when we weren’t traveling elsewhere.”

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