Page 10 of Darkened Truths
My mind drifts yet again to Riley. The image of holding her by the throat and feeling her reaction to my touch causes my fingers to twitch with anticipation. Who would have thought the wholesome, naïve senator's daughter was into some kinky shit? I could practically smell her arousal. I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind since the moment I laid eyes on her, no matter how hard I try. And to smell her and touch her today was unreal. It shouldn’t be happening like this, though. The guys don’t know about my run in with her this afternoon. I know I would get the standard lecture of ‘let it go’, but I can’t. My nostrils flare as my anger rears up again.
“Calm down. You can’t let her get into your head. You know what you have to do.” Zander steps into my room, directly into my line of sight.
Zander’s our resident computer wiz. Need someone to hack into a system? He’s the man you go to. Students pay him an ungodly amount to help them with some shady things. He doesn’t ask questions, just makes sure the money is good. It’s a lucrative side business and one that will go a long way to helping us after we finish here.
Zander’s the reason Riley’s bunking with his little sister, Ava. Originally, Ava had a private room, but when Riley was added to the roster at the last minute, he put them together to keep tabs on her. I’m not sure if Ava knew ahead of time, but she seemed excited when we ran into the two of them this afternoon. My need to control everything has made this more difficult. Since Ava is the one sharing the room, I refrained from asking him to add cameras so I could stalk her there, too. A swift kick in the nuts would have been my reward for that request. The thought of being able to watch her in various states of undress has me getting hard once again. Zander got me a copy of her schedule and I can’t wait to see the pink hit her cheeks when she sees I'llbe in her survival class. I’m going to make her life a living hell. It’s going to be torture seeing her in that short skirt every day.
Fucking stupid uniform. The idea came around years ago when other students were being targeted for their lack of designer things. To nip it in the bud before it became a true issue, the administration provided uniforms to quash any further discrimination. Was it the best way to go about it? Probably not, but they don’t seem to want to change the rules now.
“Come on, let’s grab a drink and get ready for the party. Should be a doozy this year.” He slaps my upper back and pulls me out of the room with him. Wesley is in the kitchen mixing up jungle juice when we walk in.
“Magical elixir?” Zander asks with this eyebrow raised in question.
Wesley grins from ear to ear as he dumps an entire bottle of rum into the large container. “My favorite kind. Makes the girls real easy to handle.”
I smirk and close my eyes, shaking my head. Wesley is a man-whore. He gladly fucks anything in a skirt. Lucky for him, all the ladies at Pointebreak wear one. I’ve never seen him strike out, but he has the good sense to be picky about who he sticks his dick in. Most women drop their panties the moment he looks in their direction. Those big blue eyes are irresistible to the ladies. He’s also smart not to get them too intoxicated. Most fathers won’t take too kindly to their daughters getting fucked over. Even if a lot of them are as casual about sex as Wesley.
But his good looks aren’t what make him valuable. No, his effortless charm and natural charisma make him the perfect choice to subtly gather information. That, and he makes a great bookie. He’s a whiz with numbers and has a knack for calculating odds with remarkable precision. It definitely comes in handy with our side business.
I shake my head, and swipe the bottle of Macallan off the table, pour some into a tumbler, and shoot it back as I welcome the burn down my throat. The amber liquid settles in my stomach and I focus on its warmth. I need to get my head on straight. Riley being here should be the least of my problems. Her fate will come to light soon enough. Until then, I’ll continue to have fun with her. Well, fun for me anyway. I pour a shot for the three of us and slide them across the table.
I clap my hands and rub them together, sliding into an effortless smile. “Alright. Eyes on the prize, boys. Have fun.”
They both nod and clink their glasses before downing the shots.
More than half the school’s here now. The bass of the music pouring from the speakers outside rattle the walls as Centuries from Fall Out Boy plays. Most students are out back surrounding the large fire, dancing and chatting with one another while others are inside and around the bar in the kitchen. The distinct clack of balls clanging together draws me to the game room where several students are playing pool. Zander’s in deep conversation with some of the fourth-year students. We’ve worked with them on and off, but we’ve kept our distance, not entirely sure their ambitions align with ours. I’ll have to check in with him later to get his opinion.
The biggest problem I have is Riley still isn’t here. Zander said he texted Ava. And they are on their way, but that was a half an hour ago. It doesn’t take that long to get to the edge of campus. I should know. I’ve already mapped out how long it will take if I need to get to her dorm. Eighteen minutes if I’mwalking, ten minutes if I run. Never know when that information will come in handy.
Unless she’s not coming and Ava came alone. I know Zander would have told her to not walk alone though, so Riley should be with her. I’ve been monitoring the door and I haven’t seen them come in. Did she walk around back and I missed her? I banish the thought from my mind as soon as it enters. It would be wise for her to stay far, far away from me; but I don’t want her to. I want her in my sights as often as I can. I want her on edge, waiting for the next shoe to drop.
She’s mine.
Mine to tease.
Mine to torment.
My phone buzzes with a new message, and I dig it out of my pocket to look.
Wesley:
She’s here.
Those are the two words I’ve been hoping to read since this party started.
Me:
Where?
Wesley:
Kitchen. I’m being a gracious host and getting her a drink. ;)
I motion to Zander that they’re here and he excuses himself to follow me. We walk into the kitchen, a smirk playing on my lips as I watch her smile and thank Wesley before sipping her drink. As soon as the alcohol hits her throat, she coughs and tries to hide it by covering her mouth with the back of her hand.Wesley grins. “It gets better the more you drink. Have a little more.” He pushes the bottom of her drink toward her mouth again, but she holds her hand steady.
She shakes her head and says, “Maybe later. I want to check out the bonfire and meet some of the other students.” She turns her attention to Ava and a guy she’s with. “Wanna come?”
The guy in question smiles warmly at her and places his hand on the small of her back as he directs her to the back door. My nostrils flare with hatred. I take a step forward and Wesley puts his hand on my shoulder, stopping me. He has absolutelyno rightto touch her. I clench my jaw, the muscles in my neck straining against the pressure. They turn to leave, but Zander snatches the drink from Ava’s hand. She gasps in surprise and when she tries to get it back, he shakes his head.
