Page 52 of Deadly Sacrifice

I could go inside and find them, but I don’t want to give myself away just yet. Instead, I settle in for a long wait, like I have been the past four nights.

When they emerge three hours later — two hours after the library closed — I follow them. I haven’t dared to do this yet. Griffin is an observant guy, always hyper aware of his surroundings because of what happened to him. I couldn’t risk it.

But something about the way she’s looking up at him tonight grates on my nerves. There’s a softness, a comfortableness in her expression that wasn’t there before. Maybe they’ve found some private corner in the library and have been fucking every night, right under my goddamn nose?

I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep my irate growl contained. Sure, Griffin and Asher can fuck her. Why not, right? But not until I have her first. It’s part of my plan, to seduce her before I break her, and if I don’t stick to my plan, I could spiral into an episode and end up back…

No, I won’t even allow myself to think like that.

I’m not going back. Not ever.

So I keep following them as they walk across campus, seemingly back to Greek row. I’m far enough away that I don’t think Griffin would know I’m here, even if he wasn’t so distracted by Prudence. But that means I can’t hear them. I can only watch as he signs something that I can’t make out and she tosses her head back with laughter. She playfully shoves him, and he tosses his arm over her shoulders and pulls her in close.

There’s a familiarity between them that enrages me.

That could have been us, had she not gotten so pissy about Becky at the party. I was so wasted that I don’t remember much of that night, but how bad could it have been? I kissed one of my usuals in front of Prudence? I don’t see why I’ve been getting the cold — no, the arctic — fucking shoulder from her since then while Griffin has been cozying up with her like this.

I’m jealous, and I have no reason to be, but from day one, I’ve wanted her. Maybe I’ve become a bit obsessed. Maybe all I want is to lock her in my bedroom for the rest of the semester until she has no choice but to want me back? Maybe I don’t want to hand her over to The Celestials when I’m done with her? I don’t even fucking know anymore. My desires and my orders are fighting each other, and I’m not sure what will be left when the battle is over.

I’ve seen enough tonight, though. I curl my fists in until my nails bite into my palms. Taking a shortcut across the lawn, I hurry back home before I do something rash like run up to them and rip Griffin away from Prudence. If I do, I may as well beat on my chest and claim my ownership like a goddamn animal.

***

I’m pacing in the foyer just inside the front door.

Jesus Christ, how long does it take them to walk back home?

I’ve been in here waiting for Griffin to get home for over ten minutes, and my shortcut wasn’t that short. He should be here by now.

What are they doing?

I stop pacing, glaring at the door while I push a hand into my hair and tug on the strands. “Fuck,” I grunt, giving in and crossing the foyer, peering through the peephole in the door. Perfect timing. With my palms pressed to the wood, I grind my teeth until my head hurts, watching Griffin drop Prudence off in front of the A.Chi.O. house. He stops her at the door, leaning in and kissing her cheek. “You son of a bitch,” I whisper, pressing myself closer to the door like I’ll be able to get a better look. Prudence lifts her hand and touches her cheek, giving Griffin a soft smile unlike any she had given me.

It strikes a goddamn fire deep in my belly. I’m angry. Furious. Close to exploding.

Thankfully for my old friend, Griffin doesn’t make any other move. He stands there like a sap, waiting until Prudence slips inside and disappears, and then he turns around and heads over here. I tell myself to go up to my room and let myself cool down, but then I’m out of time, and Griffin is right here. He’s opening the front door.

Without thinking, I grab his shirt in my fists and slam him against the wall beside the door. “What the fuck was that, huh?” I bark, getting right in his face.

Griffin is pale, damn near hyperventilating as he struggles to get free. He presses his lips together, shaking his head at me, and when that doesn’t work, he goes for my throat.

Wrong fucking move.

I’m so lost in that colorless void of anger that I can’t figure out why he isn’t explaining himself. I’m just thoughtless rage, making the next move, and the next, until I blink, and suddenly, Griffin is on the floor and I’m straddling him, about to swing my fists.

It all comes crashing back to me a second before footsteps pounding down the stairs grab my attention. I drop my arm, instantly sick with guilt that I attacked Griffin, but I don’t have time to do shit about it. Asher jumps off the third step, yelling at me to get off of Griffin. He doesn’t give me the chance, though. He keeps coming at me, tackling me off of our friend and laying me flat on the hardwood.

“I’m good, I’m good, stop!” I rush out, holding my hands out in defense when Asher looks about ready to pummel me.

He doesn’t stop. Shocker.

A swift punch to my jaw snaps my head back and my skull cracks against the floor. I hiss in a breath, steeling myself for the next blow, but it never comes.

Asher is heaving in harsh breaths, staring down at me like he’d love nothing more than to continue until I’m unconscious. “Griff, you alright?” he asks roughly, holding my gaze for an agonizing moment before finally dragging his eyes up to Griffin.

I imagine he nods or does something else to give the all clear, but I don’t dare take my eyes from Asher to see it. When he looks back down at me, he narrows his gaze and rakes his teeth over his lip. “This is the only warning you’ll get, Creed. You may be family, but if you ever do shit like that again, I will personally see to your destruction,” he vows, voice dark and deadly.

I have to swallow several times before I can get my tongue unglued from the roof of my mouth. Nodding, I mutter, “Fair... I-I’m sorry. I wasn’t—“ I don’t know how to finish that statement. I wasn’t thinking? I wasn’t in my right mind? I wasn’t me?

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