“I’m grabbing a drink.” She tips her chin up, masking her real reason for heading to the bar. “You coming?”
“No, I’m going to mingle.”
“Mingle?” Mila glances at me, smirking. “Because you’renothere for anyone in particular? Okay.”
I don’t bother arguing. At this point, she’ll see straight through it. Besides, Mila doesn’t mind, so long as I leave her alone so she can deal with Marco tonight.
Secretly, I’m thankful Patience and Teal decided not to join us. I don’t need more eyes on me with the inevitable showdown on the horizon. I already feel it in my bones, especially considering I already feelhim.
“Be safe and remember what I said. I’ll bring the shovel.” Mila grins, and I just shake my head as she disappears in Marco’s direction.
He doesn’t let go of the girl at his side as Mila approaches, and if he’s not careful, she’s going to use her freshly manicured nails as weapons.
Rolling my shoulders back, I take in the crowd. It’s a lot like it was last time—messy, out of control. But I’m not as nervous. Because I’m not leaving until I get what I came for—answers from Kole.
Glancing around, I head over to the bar first, choosing the opposite end from Mila. I’m handed a shot the moment I walk up, and I drain it in one swallow to take the edge off. It’s sweet, like candy, and has my brain instantly floating.
Music pounds through the speakers as I push back into the mass of people. Lights pulse, and I barely miss being run over. Sigma House is giant, and I search three living rooms before finding who I’m looking for.
This room is the largest one I’ve walked in so far, abundant with chaos, and the Sigma Sin Kings are in the center of it.
Stepping inside, I spot Declan and Brax on the couch first, then turn my gaze to Kole, who’s seated in a recliner beside them. He’s looking at something on his phone, but as if he senses me, his dark eyes flick up the moment I walk into the room.
I’m not sure how I didn’t see it before now—how I didn’tsensehim. All the time I spent with Saint, I was blind to a truth that was staring me in the face.
The first time I officially met Kole was when Liam and I had been dating for a couple of weeks. Liam drank too much, and Kole stopped by my dorm to pick him up on his way back to Sigma House. Liam was so drunk that he could barely stand, and Kole had to practically carry him to the car.
And once he did, he didn’t immediately get in. He stood there, leaning against the side of it, watching me with those same eyes that watch me now.
Cold but focused. Calculating every step, every movement, every flinch.
I remember asking Liam why Kole had that scar on the side of his face, and all he said was that Kole had it rough growing up.Whatever that meant.
I thought if I focused on the scar—on the stories—on the fact that Kole is evil and emotionless, I wouldn’t have to acknowledge whatever else his dark eyes do to me.
An undeniable magnetic force pulls me into the room now. A gaze I can’t tear mine away from.
At least if I focus on his eyes, I can ignore his square jaw and full lower lip. I can try not to think about how it looked when he stuck his fingers in his mouth after they’d been inside me.
Stopping in front of Declan and Brax, I pause with a hand on my hip. I’m not sure if it’s hot in here or if the one shot is going to my head, but the back of my neck is damp with sweat.
“Hey guys.” I force a smile, doing my best to project Mila’s sexual confidence but probably failing miserably. “I need a favor.”
17
Figure Me Out
Violet
Declan looks up atme and grins. “Vi, you actually made it.”
His pupils are blown wide, and there’s a sheen of sweat on his forehead. If I had to guess from the pile of coke on the table in front of him, he’s high, and the drink in his hand isn’t going to help the situation.
“I did.”
“Nice dress.” Brax huffs, leaning forward and snorting a line of coke. “Getting over my brother pretty fast, apparently.”
“He’s the one who disappeared on me,” I point out, annoyed when I probably shouldn’t be. “I’m not going to sit around pouting about it.”