Page 81 of Kings & Corruption

Our Chinese food finally arrived, and Claire and I piled our plates high with lo mein, General Tso’s chicken, and egg rolls before heading upstairs to her room.

She put on some music and we settled on the floor with our food. We talked about our classes and the guy in the Saints’ house Claire had her eye on, but I was happy to keep it light while we ate. I genuinely liked her, and I didn’t want her to think I was just using her to get information.

“Oh my god,” she groaned, leaning back against her bed and pushing away her plate. “I’m so full of noodles and MSG.”

“Same,” I said. “And egg rolls. So. Many. Egg rolls.”

“I eat way too much takeout during the school year,” she said. “You’re so lucky to have Rock. I’ve heard he’s an amazing cook.”

“He is,” I said. “I didn’t expect it to be honest.”

She sighed. “It’s enough to make me want to spring for a personal chef.”

I laughed. “It’s definitely been an unexpected perk.”

She grinned slyly. “I’m sure there are a lot ofunexpected perksto living in the Kings’ house.”

“Unexpected perks and a whole lot of temptation.”

She studied me. “Don’t tell me you haven’t given in. I’d beallover that.”

I chewed on my thumbnail, trying to decide how much to tell her. “It’s complicated.”

“Because of Emma?”

I didn’t even try to hide my surprise at the mention of my sister. I’d started to wonder if Claire was going to avoid the topic or wait for me to bring it up. “Among other things, but… yeah. Emma is the biggest.” I hesitated. “Did you know her?”

“I wouldn’t say I knew her,” Claire said carefully. “I saw her around, you know? At parties and stuff. In town a couple of times.”

“Did she hang out with anyone from Aventine? Anyone specific?” I asked.

“Not that I remember, but it’s a haul to get over here from the Bellepoint campus. The girls, they come and go. Rockview is closer for them.”

Rockview was another private college. Like Aventine, but minus the criminals and closer to the Bellepoint campus. I could see why the girls might decide to cast their nets there.

“Were the kids at Aventine nice to them?” I asked. Claire looked down, her cheeks flushed, and I reached out to take her hand. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

She glanced at the closed door to her room.

“I’m not going to tell anyone,” I said. “I promise. This is just for me.”

“The boys were nice to them,” Claire said. “They called them fresh meat, made a game out of it. But they’re dumb that way, always showing off. You know how they are.”

My stomach turned as I imagined my sister being used and thrown away. Had the guys at Aventine taken special pleasure in using someone like Emma, someone they saw as a traitor?

Had she known? Or had she thought they really liked her?

“The Kings too?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking. I had to know. “Did they use the Bellepoint girls?”

“The Kings are careful,” Claire said. “Quiet. They keep to themselves. I don’t think I’d know even if theyhadfucked around with the Bellepoint girls.” She squeezed my hand. “Is that why you’re being careful with them? Because you think they’re involved in Emma’s disappearance?"

“I don’t have any reason to believe that,” I said truthfully. “But honestly, I think you might be the only person I trust here.”

Her mouth turned down in a frown. “I’m so sorry, girl.”

I saw the sympathy in her eyes and knew it was genuine.

“Thanks,” I said. Something was scratching at my mind, but it took me a minute to figure out what it was. “You said ‘girls’ plural. Did the Bellepoint girls come in groups?”

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