Page 40 of Prey Tell
I text Jackson, glancing at the clock. It’s just before six on a Thursday night, so he likely hasn’t eaten yet.
Want a burrito for dinner?
It’s like you can read my mind.
I work my lower lip when I realize I’m about to suggest going over to Chase’s apartment.
Ok. I’ll be over in 30.
Can you get an extra burrito?
For Chase, presumably.
Of course.
I take a quick shower and throw on jeans and a hoodie when I’m done. Slipping into some sandals, I head out, priding myself on not dressing up for Chase. I’m almost always in clothes that are comfortable, being an overcommitted graduate student, so I don’t see any reason to change that aspect of myself. Besides, I’m not even sure he’s at the apartment. All the other times I’d gone toThe Penthouse—as I liked to call it—he hadn’t been there. I pick up the three burritos and pull into the fancy garage, parking next to Jackson’s car. My eyes glance over the line of shiny cars absentmindedly, wondering if they’re all Chase’s.Does one man really own that many cars?
Frowning, I walk back to security and show my ID. The building is exclusive, as I’d learned the hard way two weeks ago, but Jackson had me placed on the approved visitor’s list when he moved in.
Obviously, they use an entirelydifferentlist for Chase’s infamous parties.
Once I’m given the go-ahead, I take the elevator up sixteen stories toThe Penthouse,trying not to think of the way a certain pair of shoes clicked against the marble floors two weeks ago. The way a certain pair of eyes gleamed with fire when they roved over my lips, my neck…
The doors slide open. I take a calming breath and walk through the marble foyer.
“Jax?” I call out.
There are voices coming from the kitchen, so I steel myself and stand up straighter as I walk toward them, my eyes flicking over the lux furniture, abstract art… and black roses on the bookshelf of the formal sitting room.
I stop, narrowing my eyes. I’d seen them two weeks ago at the party, but I assumed it was a coincidence. Just a way to give the party a moodier vibe. But here they are, again. Fresh, if the perfect, smooth petals are any indication.Interesting.
I turn the corner, only to see Jax sitting at the island of the kitchen sipping a beer, and…
“Hey, Juliet.”
Miles Ravage gives me a tight wave before continuing to glare down at his phone.
My heart sinks.Notthat I’d been hoping to see another Ravage brother.
“Hi!” I chirp, setting my purse down. I glance at Jackson. “Extra burrito?” I ask, pointing at Miles.
Jackson nods.
Be cool,I tell myself.It’s better that Chase isn’t here.
“I’m starving,” Miles says, grabbing one of the bags and walking over to the couch. “How much do I owe you?” he asks, tossing the burrito between hands as he shuffles away.
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell him.
Truth be told, I hardly know Chase’s other brothers. Jackson knows them from school and from being best friends with Chase, but I’d only ever met Miles a few other times.
“A Ravage always pays his debts,” he says. Is he alwayssoserious?
Jackson and I follow him to the expansive, U-shaped couch in the casual living area off the kitchen. The rug on the ground is made of fake animal fur, and the TV is massive. The couch is a rich, chestnut leather. Now that I know what I do about Chase, the fur checks out, though I’d never noticed it before. I hadn’t been to this part ofThe Penthousetwo weeks ago.
“Did you just compare your family to the Lannister’s?” I ask Miles.
He unwraps his burrito. “We’re basically the same, minus the blonde hair. Everyone hates us.”
