Page 90 of Beautiful Ascension

“What did we say about lying, Eva?” he croons while Colt’s hand glides up her bare stomach before closing around her breast and squeezing until she moans in this weird combination of lust and indignation.

I watch as Colt’s friend reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small silver case. The type that usually holds travel medications. Unscrewing the lid, he drops a pill into the palm of his hand.

Eva’s gaze flicks up in our direction, her eyes pleading. “Can you save your spat for after we leave?” I demand, turning to Colt. “We don’t have much time, and we need to discuss a few things.”

Coop rolls his eyes but elbows his brother before focusing on the dude raising the tablet to Eva’s mouth. “Put it away for now, Mase. We need to handle some business first,” Colt instructs, then turns to us. “This is Mason Bradley. He and his twin brother Liam are frat brothers who transferred to Groveton this year.”

My first impression of Mase is that he has a chip on his shoulder. One that I can easily remove if he doesn’t uncurl his lip. “Let’s take this upstairs,” I suggest. Then add, “Just you and Colt.”

Eva’s eyes widen in fear, flitting her gaze between Colt, Coop, Mase, and me. I would throw her a bone, but I know why the Jacobis need their revenge. Eva has a role in what happened, and I’ll never stand in the way of someone paying penance.

“Keep an eye on her, Mase. Make sure she stays here,” Colt commands, letting Eva go before signaling for us to follow. “Let’s head to our room.”

We all remain quiet until we take our seats. “What was that he was going to give her?” Owen questions.

“Some drug that stimulates a woman’s libido.” Seeing Owen’s nostril flare, Coop continues, “It’s FDA approved—no ecstasy or GHB. We want Eva to pay, and escapism doesn’t make that happen.”

Wyatt clears his throat. “I get she’s screwed you all over. Just remember that she may never forgive you if you go too far.”

“We don’t want her forgiveness. We want her demise,” Coop seethes. “Eva and her brother have stolen the heart of our family. Now, hers will be the only acceptable form of repayment.”

“Why is Mason helping you? What’s Mason’s and his twin’s stake in this?” I question.

Coop’s fingers fly across his computer keyboard, bringing up the facility we have in mind for Sam to be dealt with. “That’s their story to tell,” Colt answers for his brother. “Now,” he begins, pointing to the monitor. “This place is far enough away from Edgewood and Lincoln-Wood University while being within driving distance. It has enough space for all your torture—zesty interrogation—needs.”

Humming, I study the blueprints. This is perfect for what we have in mind for Senator Baker and Samantha. Once we end them, anyone in their corner will be next. “Send the schematics to me, and I’ll get things moving,” I state. With a little over a week before the engagement party, we’ll have our work cut out for us, but our plan is still achievable.

“Great. Now that this is settled, operation ‘distracts the masses’ will commence,” Coop says. A Cheshire grin creeps up his face.

“What do you have in—” I rest my hand on Wes’s forearm, ending his question.

I wait until Colter and Cooper exit their room. “It’s better we don’t know what they’ve orchestrated to serve as a distraction.”

Nodding, Wes asks, “How long do you think we’ll have to sit up here before we get the go-ahead?”

Throwing my hair up into a bun, I respond, “Thirty minutes tops.”

Then, for the next fifteen minutes, we discuss how we’ll outfit the warehouse to become the ultimate place of torture. “We’ll spend time adding more after we kill Samantha and Matthew Baker. I see no reason this building should be a one-time use,” Owen suggests before we change subjects to discuss our plan for capturing them.

“Once the device is deactivated, I say we just knock her out and lure Baker outside, then do the same to him. Between the five of us, we will be more than able to get them into the back of Rubi,” Sebastian suggests.

“I call dibs on Baker,” Owen and Wyatt say in unison. They both look at each other and then burst into laughter.

Rubbing the furrow between my brows, I retort, “Let’s wait until Teagan explains what will be required to remove the chip from Owen’s arm.” We’d been up here for almost an hour when my phone finally buzzed. I retrieve it from my front pocket and notice several notifications filling my screen.

Colt: Coop & Liam definitely have the place distracted.

Teag: I’m about to enter with a group of students I’ve been walking across campus with.

Leech: How much longer do you assholes plan on being at that fucking party?

Colt: I suggest you all start coming down now before this party gets even wilder.

Leech: One of you fuckers better answer me. I’ve seen the pictures. If I find out that any of you even remotely participate. Kiss Ariah goodbye.

I growl at Samantha’s message. “I’m releasing the footage of Samantha and Brittany,” I snap, and they all smile.

“It’s about time we started this part of the plan. When will it be posted?” Wyatt probes, mirth gleaming in his eyes.

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