Treacherous God (The Gods of North Haven University #2)

Chapter One

Irvin

I carry my backpack over my shoulders as I amble across campus, admiring the frost clinging to the stained glass windows.

North Haven University sprawls across the island, decorated with naked oak trees as the wind rattles their limbs.

College students stride in different directions, and their chatter is getting on my last fucking nerves.

The sharp smell of seaweed stings my nose.

I swallow thickly as if heavy lead has caught in my throat.

Thank fuck it’s my last semester here, and I’m glad it’s almost over.

I hate school with a passion. If it wasn’t a requirement for me to get a degree to become COO of the American Billionaire Club, I never would’ve attended.

The secret society is part of my destiny—a destiny I didn’t sign up for.

I clench the strap tight and grit my teeth.

Unfortunately, I’m receiving my master’s in business.

So far, I have two classes: The Art of Communication followed by Power and Influence.

I peek at my smartwatch, noting I’m thirty minutes early. I peel the vape from behind my ear, lift it to my mouth, and blow a cloudy smoke into the moist air as I prop myself against the gray masonry.

As I study the crowd, my gaze lands on the woman I’ve been obsessed with since last semester.

Lilac Lauren.

My heart stops, and I bite my lip.

She’s breathtaking—more beautiful than anything I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Her lavender, wavy hair sticks to her temples, and her gray eyes are focused and intense as she dashes past me in a hurry, determination written all over her face.

Her coat and denim jeans cling to her petite body, and her dark ankle boots click against the cobblestone ground.

I tuck the vape away and slip into her shadow, each step silent enough to keep me unseen.

Last year, she approached me with an idea—she wanted to live out her sex fantasies where I chase her and fuck her against her will. We were a fling before she found out I was engaged to someone else, which didn’t matter, because I’ve met the girl I was supposed to marry only once.

My eyes narrow and my jaw tightens.

In the American Billionaire Club, we have arranged marriages to create more power and money, which in turn will be passed down. It only works as long as the woman’s father is part of the club—otherwise, it’s against our law to marry the woman.

My father’s been on my back about finding another wife, and if I don’t, I’ll have to give up my position.

Lilac marches up to her friends, Winter and Lyrical, and they sit at their usual spot, the gazebo near the library.

Her smile flashes, but her metallic eyes stay flat—like an empty shell.

Her smile brings me to my knees. I’m a grown man who gets butterflies from a woman who’s completely closed off. My Lilac—aka my obsession.

She’s kept me at a distance for far too long, not returning any of my messages over winter break.

Lilac digs into her polka-dot bag, retrieves a piece of paper, and hands it to Winter.

The harsh weather numbs my fingers, so I blow air into them, and the icy wind bites at my cheeks.

I’m going to be late for class, but I don’t care. Stalking my princess is more important than fucking writing a paper.

Before she came along, I was lonely. I don’t have any real friends. I only speak to Jameson and Keanu because we’re going to run the American Billionaire Club together.

I’m in love with her, and even though she doesn’t understand it yet, she belongs to me.

My dick hardens against the zipper of my pants, so I adjust myself and continue to study her like a hawk. I remember what her pussy tastes like—and what she smelled like. She smelled like fresh lilac, clean and innocent.

She eases up from her seat at the gazebo, and I trail behind her at the right distance, close enough to track her, far enough that she’d never notice me unless she turns and searches the crowd.

She strides to Freud Hall, built with cobblestone and glass.

Warm air greets my face once I’m inside, and I track her into a classroom with rows upon rows of desks.

A few students sit in their seats, and Lilac settles in the front.

Once she sets her bag onto the floor, she shrugs off her coat and rests it on the back of the chair, exposing her walnut sweater.

I need to see her tonight, and I need to fuck her. I haven’t felt the warmth of her in sixty-eight days—and that’s too long for me. I haven’t fucked anyone else either because I’m a monogamous man. She’s the only person I’ve been with since the start of the school year.

I snatch my phone from my pocket and send her a text message.

Me:Come over to the mansion at 9.

I study her as she fishes her phone out and examines my message. She wrinkles her nose, shakes her head, and sets the phone down on the desk. Once she digs into her bag, she slides her MacBook out with careful hands, setting it onto the desk.

I shoot her another message.

Me:Princess, you know better than to ignore me.

She picks up her phone, reads my message, scans warily around the classroom, then at the door. With my pulse pounding, I stand out of eyesight so she won’t see me. Sighing, I take another look at her.

She types on the phone.

Princess: I’m not ignoring you, Irvin. I’ve been busy.

Me: What did you do this winter break?

Princess: You’re not my man. I don’t have to answer you. It’s none of your business.

I laugh inwardly. It’s cute that she thinks we’re not dating. She’s going to be singing a different tune tonight.

Me: Wear something sexy tonight. I’ll cook you your favorite—grilled scallops and baked potato.

Princess: You’re engaged, remember? I told you before, I don’t date men who are taken.

Me: I broke it off with her. I promised you I would last year at the Halloween festival, remember?

She says “Oh” out loud.

Princess: Why did you break it off with her?

She must’ve forgotten what I promised her. I ignore her message in my reply.

Me: I also remember chasing you around the clown house and eating your pussy. I guess you forgot about that, huh?

She sends me another message.

Princess: Yeah, I remember. But this isn’t going to work out. We come from two different worlds. You have a duty to fulfill to the American Billionaire Club, and you have to find a wife to run the club. I’m moving to the West Coast to continue my education after graduation. We will never work out.

As if distance will keep me from her. I’ll cross any boundary just to get what I want. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s mine. Always will be. I don’t give a fuck about the American Billionaire Club and their stupid-ass rules.

Me: Meet me at the mansion at 9. I’m not asking again.

Lilac’s lips twitch, but she sets her phone back on the desk without replying.

Professor Kyle storms into the class. “Get to class, Irvin Ashford.”

The door slams in my face. Lilac better show up tonight, or I’ll find her.