Page 39 of Gambit
We stride toward the heart of their campus, our presence slicing through the buzz of student chatter like a knife. Heads turn, murmurs rise—a ripple of wariness spreading through the crowd. These bad boys and tough girls size us up, their eyes wary, but there’s no mistaking the undercurrent of respect. They know who we are and what we represent.
“Don’t start anything,” I murmur. “Let them be the ones.”
Murmurs of agreement surround me as the guys move in a circular formation, protecting their Queen from these rivals.
It doesn’t take long to find their King and Queen, though. Cian, standing tall with that fucking dickhead smirk, his back against the wall of the student union building. Beside him, Victoria leans casually, her laughter carrying through the crisp air. Her eyes catch the weak sunlight, gleaming with a mirth that promises chaos.
“Eliza Hughes,” Cian says, pushing off the wall. His voice is smooth, but I can hear the edge, the tension tightening each syllable.
“Been looking for you, cousin.” My words are ice over steel; our shared bloodline doesn’t grant him any favours. Not yet.
Victoria watches us, her expression is unreadable. “I was wondering when you’d show up.”
“Thought you might be getting lonely without us,” I shoot back.
Cian smirks, crossing his arms. Victoria’s lips twitch into a half-smile as she leans down to pick up the bat that was leaning against the wall.
“Let’s talk,” I say, locking eyes with Cian. It’s time to remind them just who they’re dealing with.
Victoria’s eyes flick between us, sizing up the tension. She knows a showdown when she sees one, and this? This is a clash of titans.
But hopefully, not one that will result in bloodshed. My guys are silent beside me, watchful, but not making a move.
“Talk,” Cian repeats, tasting the word like it’s something foul.
“You knew I’d come. You took your shot at Castle, now it’s my turn to call the shots.”
“So direct, cuz,” Cian says, his eyes narrowing slightly. He’s probing, looking for cracks in my armour. But I’m solid, through and through.
“Direct gets results,” I reply. “You, of all people, should understand that. After all, subtlety isn’t exactly our family’s style, is it?”
“Our family,” he says. “What makes you think you have any right to call yourself a Gannon?”
“Runs through my blood as much as it does yours.”
“That it does. But you don’t just get to announce you’re one of us. That’s earned, princess.”
His endearment is scathing, and it riles me up, but I have a mission here, and I have to at least try to see it through before it results in me shoving his nuts so far up his ass he will choke on them.
“True enough,” I acknowledge with a nod. “You don’t think I’m good enough?”
He lets out a laugh as Victoria swings her bat. She appears ready to bash my head in with it, but Cian hasn’t made a move. Yet.
“Oh, I know you are, but loyalty is a fickle thing. You here to start a party or mend fences?”
“I wasn’t aware that fences needed mending from my side; you, after all, were the ones who trashed my campus. I’m here to see if we can end this rivalry, you think is going on in a way where no one else needs to get hurt, and my guys can go back to their little lives without worrying about you assholes.”
Cian considers this, his expression unreadable. “That’s a big ask. What’s in it for me?”
“The knowledge that I won’t rain down merry hell on your little wannabes.”
“Wannabes,” he snorts. “Ouch, cuz. You’re a bit wicked, aren’t you?”
“Make that very wicked, and you’d be in the ballpark.”
“What makes you think you can beat us?”
“Do you know my dad?” I ask with a frown.
