Page 21 of Tainted Deception

“Alicia,” I yelled, hitting my fists on her door again. “Open up. Fuck.”

The door slammed open down the hall, and I screamed her name again as I locked eyes with Jace while he and Kian raced toward me. My heart was in my throat as I pounded on the door again, and then suddenly it swung open, causing me to fall forward. Alicia scrambled back as I tumbled into her room, and I quickly grabbed the edge of the door, slamming it shut right as one of them hit it from the other side.

“Rynn,” Kian yelled as I slid the deadbolt. “Get your ass out here. You don’t want to involve others in this.”

I ignored him, turning to look at Alicia. “I need your phone.”

She handed it to me, her eyes wide as her door shook from the guys hitting it. “What the hell is going on, Rynn?”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, punching in a number on her phone. “I didn’t want you to be a part of this.”

She frowned. “Stop. You know I’m here for you.”

I raised the phone to my ear, listening to it ring before Harry answered. I was grateful I’d kept the school’s night security guard in my pocket. Jace and Kian were still threatening me through the door, and I leaned against it, sliding down until I was sitting, finally able to calm my frantic breathing.

“Harry. It’s Rynn,” I said when he answered. “I need you to come to my dorm building. First floor. Get rid of the guys in front of Alicia’s door.”

“I’m about to leave campus,” Harry said, annoyance in his voice.

“I’ll triple what I pay you. I need it done now. Threaten expulsion if they don’t listen. Or the cops even. Get them away from here.”

“I’ll get it done.”

I hung up, resting my head against the door, listening to Jace and Kian argue about what the best way to get to me would be. One of them muttered something about picking the lock, which would do nothing when I had the deadbolt engaged.

“They’re going to bust down the door,” Alicia mumbled, coming to sit next to me.

I shook my head. “Not if Harry hurries his ass up. I can bet your dad is just waiting for them to fuck up. If they break into your dorm room, that’s just asking to get arrested. They won’t chance it.”

“The number Gage called me from is in there.” Alicia nodded to her phone. “He’s been going crazy not being able to come to campus. Grimrose and the Disciples have people everywhere. My dad isn’t happy, but they’re staying quiet, so he hasn’t been able to do anything about it. You know how he is about following the law.”

“They’ll mess up eventually,” I muttered as I found Gage’s number. “Now that I’m away from them, it’ll all change.”

Her shoulder brushed mine as she wrapped her arms around her legs. “You going to leave campus?”

“I don’t know yet.” I put the phone to my ear, my stomach twisting as it rang.

“Alicia,” Gage answered groggily. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” I replied, a smile on my lips. “I’m ready to get the hell out of here, though.”

There was a beat of silence before he spoke up. “Rynn? Thank fuck. Where are you?”

“Currently trapped in Alicia’s room. I need a way off campus. The second I leave this room, they’ll be waiting.”

“No need to get off campus,” Gage said. “Stay put until I call back. I need to tell Ellie you’re away from them.”

“What’s the plan?”

“I’ll tell you after I talk to Ellie.” He was moving around as he spoke, no doubt getting out of bed since it was three in the morning. “You okay?”

I bit my lip, guilt seeping in about what I’d done with Kian and Jace. They were holding me hostage, yet I’d just had sex with them in the middle of the damn woods. Something I had no intention of telling Gage at the moment.

“I’m fine,” I muttered.

“It’s good to hear your voice.” He said it so quietly, I almost missed it. “Don’t move until I get there.”

“You’re coming to campus?” I asked in surprise. “Aren’t they watching the roads?”

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