Page 62 of Mason
Mason hands me a tumbler half full of vodka. His gaze shifts from Bear’s crossed arms to my stony expression and rolls his eyes before mumbling, “It’s the good stuff. Your favorite.”
Mason knows my alcohol preferences well, but I don’t care what it is at the moment. I take a large swallow of it as Arik and Quincy emerge from the pool house a few seconds later. This might be the most heinous thing that’s ever happened here.Jesus.I almost regret making them do this because these two? They make the worst decisions ever.
“Oh fuck, my eyeballs,” Pierre groans. Kai and Brendan both cover their faces, shaking their heads.
Warren rolls his eyes skyward. “Oh my fucking god. Why’d he go with the lace pair?” Indeed, poor Quincy chose poorly, his dick fully visible through the pretty purple lace flower pattern.
“Never mind that, Arik’s junk is hanging out of that thong. I need to bleach my brain. I can’t unsee this,” Tucker moans, shaking his head.
Indeed, Arik chose the larger of the two thongs, but it’s still not doing the best job of hiding things.
Mason huffs out a disturbed laugh. “I do not want them near me. Arik’s pubes are everywhere. Time to manscape, my dude.”
A huge gusting sigh from Bear is his only response.
“Come here,” I grit out. The two idiots walk toward me. Arik can’t seem to decide whether he needs to put his hands over his dick or his ass, and neither one knows which way to turn, as the path to me is between those in the pool and the loungers. Internally, I’m dying laughing, but I keep a straight face. “Got the second pair?”
They both nod, holding them up.
I glance down, unable to stop the ridiculous laughter that spills from me. “Well, it looks like you know how to obey. And you’re showing a degree of loyalty by trusting us enough to go along with this. But how about for that third bit—you know, the keeping your mouth shut part?” I pause for effect before I growl out, “Stuff the panties in. Now. Then go stand over there and await further instructions.” I point to a spot near the shallow end of the pool as they grimace, shoving the pretty little panties into their mouths.
“Good. Back to business. We’re hosting a… gathering… here next Saturday. Arik, Quincy, I’m sure you’ve heard rumors of what goes on at our annual event, but you won’t fully understand until you’ve participated. No one discusses anything after the fact. What happens at Bainbridge Hall stays here. Mouths shut. Everyone knows this, including the members of other frats who are invited. And yes, we have banned entire fraternities from events before for leaking information. We’re serious when we say we like people who can keep their fucking mouths shut.
“So. With that said, we’re going to be hosting an auction of sorts. It’ll be held in the ballroom. I’ve been coordinating with my father and Bear’s to get the best caterers in the area in, a stage set up, and invitations sent out. It’s a masked event. They’ll be provided for you. Everyone will be expected to dress nicely.”
My gaze lands on Lennon again. I wonder if she’s opened that damn box yet. There’s a dress in there that would be perfect. Her lollipop is tucked into her mouth, but she’s interested in what I’m saying. Well, she won’t like this last piece of information.
I check in with Mason and Bear. “What am I forgetting?”
Mason slides his gaze to mine, shaking his head with a laugh. He knows damn well I didn’t forget. It’s the entire point of the event. “More info on the auction. What are we auctioning, Duke?”
I smirk. “Right. We’ve invited about twenty women to join us.”
Brendan’s eyes light up. “You mean…?”
Bear nods, shrugging. “Yes. A bunch of sorority girls have agreed to auction themselves off for charity.”
“Fuck. Yes.” Tucker nods his head enthusiastically. “I like this.”
Lennon raises her hand, a bit of a confused frown on her face. “I’m a proponent of doing whatever feels right to you, but do these girls get something out of it?”
I’m about to answer when Bear takes the bullet for me instead. “We could tell you that they’re excited to do it for the local women’s shelter we will donate the proceeds to, but that’s not it. Notoriety. Being invited to Bainbridge is one thing, but getting auctioned off? People will know they were here—but not any real details—and it’ll boost their social standing on campus.”
She rolls her eyes and nods once, shrugging. “Whatever floats their boat, I guess.” She puts the lollipop right back into her mouth.
Warren’s lips press together before he raises his hand to ask a question. “Anyone of note coming?”
“Hawthorne Hall. They’re here every year.” I haven’t quite decided how I want to approach any of that yet. But I do know it’ll rile me if Kingston brings his female initiate. These days—the ones approaching the date of Juliette’s death—are fucking difficult for me. Three more days. My calendar had alerted me this morning. So, the more I think about Kingston? The more I know I’ll hit him where it hurts. In a blinding flash, it comes to me—I’m certain I saw his weakness at that party last weekend. Maybe it’s a good thing if the girl shows up after all.
Kai raises a hand, “What about Lennon? Will she be participating in the auction?”
“Yeah, you know… supporting the brotherhood?” Brendan pushes himself up out of the pool to sit on the edge. “Earning her place here. I agree.”
Pierre snickers behind his hand.
And the grunts, though they stand by in panties, have the balls—we can see ’em—to nod vigorously.
“Yeah, no. Those girls can do whatever they like, and I don’t have a word to say about it, but I, personally, am not interested.” Lennon shakes her head.
