Page 27 of Saint

Liam:Not feeling it, leaving town to blow off some steam. I’ll hit you back when I clear my head.

Brax pulls his phone away and tucks it into his pocket.

“When did you get that?”

“When do you think? Last night.” Brax’s jaw clenches again as he tucks his thumbs in his pockets.

I always thought Brax was the nicer brother. Or at least more approachable. But I’m realizing now I was wrong.

“I didn’t dump him, Brax.”And I’m sure Liam isn’t the one who sent those texts.

Saint is playing a much bigger game than I thought.

“Why would Liam make that shit up?”

“I don’t know.” I shake my head. “We fought, that’s it.”

Another lie to add to my growing list. But it’s better than being on Brax’s bad side right now when I need him to give me an inch so I can figure out what’s going on.

Brax scans me. His whiskey eyes run from my blue turtleneck to my pleated skirt. I look like a Catholic schoolgirl, but it’s as good as I could do, given the marks Saint left all over my body.

When Brax’s gaze meets mine again, he relaxes his shoulders. “You didn’t dump him?”

“No.”

It’s technically the truth. Even if it still doesn’t mean we’re together.

“Fuck.” Brax brushes his fingers through his hair and tips his head back, groaning. “He’s such a fucking pussy sometimes, but I should have figured he’s not stupid enough to go AWOL over some chick.”

He looks back at me, and it’s clear he sees me like Sigma Sin views all women—like objects. Not worth the trouble or grief.

“I guess.” I shrug.

There’s no use trying to stand up for the dignity of women while wading in a pool of Sigma Sin debauchery.

“Well, sorry, Vi.” Brax rakes his hand through his shaggy hair once more.

“Sorry?”

My question snaps him out of his head, his jaw clenching. “Nothing. Never mind.”

I can’t help but wonder what he just thought, even if I know there’s no use trying to get it out of him.

“Well, Liam’s not here, so I guess you made the trip for nothing. But you can stay and party if you want.”

“Thanks.” I force a smile. “I might.”

A hand plants itself on Brax’s shoulder, and Kole stops beside him. I didn’t notice him walking down the staircase after Brax.

“You two good?” Kole asks, not that he seems worried about anything with the cold, emotionless stare he offers me.

Brax nods. “Misunderstanding.”

Kole looks up to take in the scene just as a body comes out of nowhere and plows into me. I’m stumbling, ready to fall on my ass, when Kole grabs my arms and steadies me.

The intensity of his grip, mixed with the rage brewing in his dark eyes, makes me pull away. If Saint saw that, he’d probably make Kole his next victim.

Taking a step back, I take a deep breath as Nixon grabs the railing, steadying himself. “Shit, sorry, Vi.”