Chapter 18
SECRET SOCIETY OR WHATEVER
Lexi
“Thank you so much for coming with me tonight.” I stared at Cordi through the mirror as she zipped up my dress.
Well, her dress. I could never afford to buy this designer gown for the alumni event at Sigma Delta.
I didn’t even want to go. After a week as Killian’s bitch, that house was the last place I wanted to be.
But I couldn’t let Micah down.
So, I’d roped Cordelia into hunting down a date and, of course, she’d scored the exclusive invite.
“Please, Axel Vanderhart should be thanking you for the pleasure of my company.” She smirked, sweeping a lock of purple hair behind her ear. “And can I just say you look amazing in this dress? Red is definitely your color.”
Did I wear the deep crimson hue to fuck with Killian?
Hell, yes I did. It was the perfect throw back to our first interaction at Stonewall.
Plus, if he insisted on calling me by my childhood nickname, then I’d own it.
I ran my hand down the silky material that hugged every one of my Latina curves, and a smile curled my lips.
The indecent neckline would have Killian drooling.
Never in a million years did I imagine my former best friend wanting me like that, but there was no denying it after last week.
He was hard as hell between my legs, the feel of him branded in my mind.
He might have hated me, but he wanted to fuck me more.
The worst part?
I wanted him too.
Despite the hell he put me through, my body craved his. He was so familiar, and everything about him felt so right. It was all so screwed up.
“Preston is going to be praying at the altar between your thighs tonight, bitch.”
A laugh tumbled out so hard I nearly buckled over. “Oh my gawd, Cordi!”
“What? You look hot as shit. That guy is going to be all over you.”
“I’m not really into Micah that way.” I shrugged as I glanced at my reflection and played with my hair. Up or down? I hadn’t quite decided.
“You don’t have to be in love with the guy to get off on his dick. Don’t think I haven’t noticed you’ve been celibate since your arrival.” She waggled a knowing finger my way. “Which is totally fine if that’s a lifestyle choice, but I have a feeling it’s not.”
“It’s definitely not.” And her assessment wasn’t entirely true.
I’d gotten myself off in the shower after that encounter with Killian in his room.
The asshole hadn’t been wrong, my shameless pussy had been wet and throbbing for him.
I’d avoided being alone with him on each and every one of my visits since then.
I was sure Axel didn’t love playing cockblocker to his roommate, but I’d done my best to get the big jock on my side. I even hand-washed his disgusting jockstrap for extra points.
“Come on, girl, are you ready? Your hair looks amazing down, stop stressing over it.” She eyed my phone and the last text from Micah. He’d be knocking on the door any second now.
I ran my fingers through my wild hair and settled on leaving it down, taking Cordi’s advice. There was no time for some fancy updo now anyway.
Two sharp knocks on the door a second later had my heart kicking at my ribs. For a single traitorous moment, I wanted it to be Killian on the other side.
Damn it, Lexi, stop it!
I was going to the party with Micah. Unease settled deep in the pit of my stomach at the thought of the gala. It wasn’t just the idea of seeing Killian in a suit that had my heart somersaulting, there was just something about that frat house that gave me the creeps.
Okay, maybe it was because of what happened last time.
I’d searched the town newspaper for weeks hunting for any news of a dead girl, but nothing emerged.
Dread unfurled in my gut, tying my insides into knots.
Just breathe, Lexi. I’d been there all week and no one besides Killian had put two and two together, and even he didn’t know for absolute certain.
No one knew I was the girl that had overheard that incriminating conversation.
And in my week playing maid at Sigma Delta, I still hadn’t encountered this mysterious Bass either.
Thank God. If Killian was worried, what kind of monster must he be?
And even if someone did find out, what was the worst they could do? It wasn’t like they’d kill me to keep their secret from coming out... An invisible vice tightened around my lungs, cutting off the oxygen as Killian’s words echoed across my mind.
You have no idea what you’re dealing with. This is not just a fraternity, not entirely.
No. The dickhead was just trying to scare me.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get it.” Cordelia huffed and darted around me as I stood frozen, my thoughts spiraling. She whipped the door open, and Micah stumbled in.
“Geez, Cordi, someone’s excited.” He caught himself, then pushed his glasses further up his nose before peering over the top.
It was something he did frequently, but that I’d come to find endearing.
“Wow, pre-med, you sure clean up well.” He let out a low whistle as he regarded me, and my cheeks flamed.
“Thanks, I was about to say the same to you.” The sleek black suit he wore looked custom made, complete with satin piping and fancy silver cufflinks.
He inched closer and revealed a clear plastic container from behind his back. He held out the white rose with a sheepish grin.
“Aww, a corsage? You shouldn’t have.”
“Oh shit, you two are nauseatingly sweet.” Cordelia grabbed the box and yanked the flower out. Before I could say a word, she slid it over my wrist. “Just perfect.”
Micah fidgeted with a matching rose on the lapel of his jacket. I moved closer, adjusting the pin, then took a sniff,his gaze dipping to my scandalously low neckline. More heat blossomed across my cheeks, and I took a big step backward.
“I half expected you to show up in your pledge shirt,” I blurted to diffuse the awkward moment.
He sauntered closer and undid the second button on his crisp white shirt, revealing a hint of gray. “I am.”
I laughed and Cordi patted him on the back with a chuckle. “I’ll never understand you, Preston. Why go through all that shit?”
“For the chicks, obviously.” A shit-eating grin sparked a twinkle in his eye. As soon as Cordi disappeared into the bathroom for one last-minute makeup check, Micah whispered, “I got the tap, Lexi. They’ve asked me to join their secret society or whatever.”
He reached into his jacket pocket and revealed a small silver pin, holding it up toward the light. A tiny snake weaved around a dagger.
I recognized the symbol immediately, a chill skirting up my spine. Killian had the same tattoo on his forearm, and so did Axel. I’d actually seen it on a few of the guys around the fraternity house in the past week.
“What do you have to do?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know yet. A bunch of alumni will be in town for the party, so maybe something will go down tonight.”
The knot twisted lower in my gut. “Just be careful tonight, Micah. I have a bad feeling.”
He threw his arm around my shoulder and tucked me into his side. “Don’t worry, pre-med, I got this.”
Axel’s massive form blocked the doorway of the Sigma Delta house as we marched up the walkway. My pulse accelerated with each step closer. When the big guy’s gaze landed on my roommate’s, a silly grin split his lips.
“I am going to ravish you tonight, Cordelia.” He shot her a wicked grin.
“I’m counting on it, Vanderhart,” she countered with a mischievous wink. “Or else what would be the point?”
His smile all but melted away when it landed on me—or rather, on Micah’s hand wrapped around mine. “Pledge,” he barked, “Hands off.”
“Huh?” Micah’s entire body stiffened.
“Don’t you fucking pay attention? Master Davenport made it clear to every Sigma Delt that the girl is off-limits.”
Killian did what? I thought he was just fucking with me when he’d said it.
“But she’s my date.”
“Well, you picked the wrong damned date, pledge. Do you want to be the cause of an incident in front of the alum?”
“No,” he mumbled, defeated.
“Then keep your hands off Lexi Vega.”
“Axel,” I hissed. “This is bullshit.”
“Take it up with your owner.” He smirked and tugged Cordi to his side before sauntering through the entrance.
My roommate canted her head over her shoulder and mouthed a quick, “Sorry.”
Damned Killian. He did not own me. I was not a dog!
I weaved my arm through Micah’s, and his entire body went rigid. “Don’t listen to these assholes. I’ve got this.”
He mumbled something under his breath, but it was swallowed up by the eight-piece orchestra already playing in the grand foyer as we walked in.
Candelabras flickered in every corner, bathing the massive chamber in a false warmth.
Just to the left of the band, a spiral staircase twisted up to the second floor.
Atop the third step, a pair of emerald green eyes scorched into mine.
Killian’s dark glare razed over me, the intense stare so invasive goosebumps rippled over my skin. Heat pulsed at my center, and I sucked in a breath as he stalked toward us. He ate up the distance in a heartbeat, barreling by men in tuxes and shoving scandalized women out of the way.
Micah squirmed out of my hold and took a big step away from me. “Sorry, pre-med, but Axel’s right. There’s too much riding on tonight, so I can’t screw it up. Killian looks like he’s about to murder me.”
He wasn’t wrong.
I threw my shoulders back and forced my eyes up to meet that predatory gaze as he prowled closer. Every nerve ending in my body prickled.
When Killian finally reached me, fury surged across those green eyes, the ones I used to love, the ones that I dreamt about for years after he left.
Nothing but cold rage remained.
“What the fuck are you doing here with him?”