Chapter 7
7
RAVEN
The one where tears solve nothing.
I woke up sobbing thinking—assuming—that Louis was there, only to be holding a pillow and feeling even more nauseated than last night.
My head pounded from crying myself to sleep and lack of hydration.
I half expected Ace to be leaning against the door when I finally got dressed and made my way downstairs.
Instead, he was nowhere to be seen and someone had cleaned the entire kitchen.
"Hey.” Ivan waltzed in wearing jeans and a black peacoat. “I’m taking you to campus. Ace decided to go early to make sure that everything was up to his very anal and annoying specifications. I wouldn’t be surprised if NASA had a satellite trained on your ass at this point.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I wasn’t the target.”
“Sure, because we have the technology of heat seeking bullets now.” He rolled his eyes. “I already have some tea for your stomach along with a muffin in the car, stopped by your favorite coffee shop on the way here. Oh, and your dad and mom had to run up to Seattle for the next thirty-six hours so you’re stuck with Ace riding your ass, Phoenix checking on you on a daily basis, and me trying to keep you safe without making you feel like you’re being suffocated.”
I grinned. “Did I mention you’re my favorite cousin?”
“Did I mention I heard you say that to Serena last night?” He winked. “Let’s go. You have your first class at ten, and you’ll want to get settled in the townhome.”
The idea of living with Ace made my stomach clench even more. Couldn’t they have just let me still live in the dorms? They had some of the best security in the world.
But no, I had to live in a townhome meant for married couples on campus, making me feel even more insecure.
I was alone.
But I had a good-looking guy who’d rejected me in the past just…lurking around every corner reminding me that I was alone—that I had nobody, that I fit in nowhere.
That Louis was gone.
My stomach rumbled. I touched it briefly. “Alright, let’s get this over with.”
My first class was Operations Management. Hah, if they only knew the I was well versed in how to operate many a business—were they legal? No. Were they lucrative? Yes. Besides, I was convinced that any business that excited always had a dark side.
Humans were still humans.
More and more I was starting to believe that nobody was what they said they were, or who, and that it was just a matter of time before they revealed their true colors. And yet I still held out hope for every single individual I met.
Louis was the only one who never let me down other than my dad, but even some of my cousins had me questioning the sanity of a lot of our family members.
I got it—blood over everything.
The five families protected their own at all costs. I could be ruthless—the point with my own moral compass? I refused to show that side of me unless I was pushed past my limit, and then all I saw was red.
Maybe that meant I had patience?
Or maybe that meant I was more unhinged because there was no holding me back once someone betrayed me.
There was only blood.
And I could guarantee it wouldn’t be mine.
I made my way over to Ivan’s waiting black Escalade. He’d bought it the minute he found out Bella was pregnant—it was bullet proof; the guy didn’t want to take any chances, and yet it was always on the tip of my tongue to remind him he did in fact shoot her last year.
My body felt heavy as I climbed into the front seat, put on my seatbelt, and reached for my tea.
Ivan didn’t say anything when he started the engine. He put on his sunglasses and seemed to pretend like it was a normal Monday, driving toward campus, dropping me off like someone didn’t just die.
I swallowed the lump in my throat as we passed familiar streets, trees, one of my favorite parks where I kicked Louis’ ass at pickleball.
"Lame!
” I yelled. “You have your own paddle and you still can’t win!”
"My shoulder’s sprained from sparring with Ivan, you ass!” Louis laughed. “One more time, please?”
His blond hair was tousled from running his hands through it in frustration. Beads of sweat streaked down his cheeks. He was beautiful in a boy next door sort of way that within a nanosecond could turn into something else.
Deadly.
Terrifying.
His beauty unarmed a person.
It was his greatest weapon. You were too busy smiling back, thinking wow what a nice guy—only to notice too late the knife sticking out of your stomach.
I liked that people never took him seriously because I knew I was always safe.
Until the very end, at least.
I swiped under my eye with my free hand and took a sip of hot tea. The silence wasn’t awkward at all; I liked that Ivan let me have my peace. He knew if I wanted to talk I would.
The black iron rod gates of Eagle Elite didn’t look like a prison—they simply felt like one—or maybe just a sign to me and everyone else in the family that this was just the beginning and there would never be freedom once we graduated, we’d just graduate right on into a fortress masquerading as a home, with smiles to distract people from the blood dripping down our fingertips.
"It’s time.
” Ivan put the car into the spot where the admin building rears its ugly head.
It was a modern black and white monstrosity that basically looked too expensive to be on a college campus.
The designer even added in a mirror bridge that reflected your future—no joke, I wished I was making this shit up—as you walked across it to the building and into the actual campus.
If I didn’t have the family I did.
If I wasn’t jaded.
Maybe if I still had my heart, I’d find it inspiring that when I looked down into the mirror I saw my own reflection with words of encouragement at each step.
Except now?
I just wanted to break with each and every single step.
I hadn’t walked across it since my freshman year—it terrified me, thinking about my future or lack thereof.
Where was my place anyway?
I felt even more insecure now than when I walked through those doors so many years ago, how does a person even step into the shoes of the legacies who walked through this school and made it theirs?
Who threatened the world with their power and intimidated the students with their ability to rule with iron fists?
I was part born into something huge.
Everywhere I looked I saw the stamp of my family name.
And every time someone looked in my direction I knew what they were thinking.
I was either someone they wanted to befriend.
Someone to stay away from.
Or someone to hook up with and brag about.
I was never truly me, not the way Louis had always made me feel as if I was special but also not special.
It was hard to explain; maybe he just made me feel human.
I cracked my neck.
“Are you going to be okay?” Ivan was using his soft voice.
I hated his soft voice.
I opened my door. “You’re using the voice again. It only annoys me more. Next time just punch me to get my attention.”
He snorted out a laugh.
“I’m not going to punch one of my favorite people, and last time you punched back—a tooth cracked—not my favorite moment.”
I smiled.
“And yet one of my top five.”
"Shocker.” He smirked and reached for his door. Opened his mouth again.
“Nope.” I waved him away. “Pretend feelings don’t exist just like I am right now. You used to be good at that until your tiny heart grew.”
“Ouch.” He jumped out.
"Oh please, I’m sure Bella made it all better.
”
His smirk was back full force.
God how did such a player end up married with a baby already?
"No comment.”
“Mmm…” I laughed as I settled my white leather Prada bag over my shoulder and kept my black sunglasses firmly in place. “It smells.”
“It’s called nature. Those”—Ivan pointed toward the rest of campus—“are trees.”
"And that”—I pointed at him—“is an ass, out in the wilds of Chicago. Watch how it slowly stalks its prey and?—”
“Shut it.” He slid off his aviators.
“There he is, right on time.” Ivan checked his watch.
“Does it piss you off how punctual he is, or is it just me?”
Striding toward us with purpose, Ace was wearing a camel-colored trench coat, tight jeans, and black boots.
He had his hair slicked back, and he should look like a tool; instead, he looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine.
GQ most likely.
"How much do you bet he counts his steps and only stops on even numbers?” I tilted my head. “And yes it pisses me off that he’s always on time. I swear the man probably counts every strand of hair on his head instead of sheep then mourns the loss of even one on his pillow when he wakes up.”
Ivan choked out a laugh. “He does have nice hair, though.”
"Your compliments don’t make him more appealing.
Let’s get this over with.
Like you said, I have class.
”
“Yup.”
People walked by us, some stared, others held up their phones.
I was used to going viral.
The sheer amount of reality shows that our family was pitched was crazy.
Did they really think we’d let cameras film all the gory stuff or were they really under the false impression that we were just descendants of a crime family but kept our noses clean?
People couldn’t be that stupid, could they?
Ace eyed me up and down.
“Ten bucks he checks his watch twice.”
Ivan cursed.
“Twenty says he goes for a third time.”
“Why a third?” I wondered.
“Because…” Ivan started walking past me.
“He’s nervous.”
“Why?” I glance around.
“It’s not like we have any threats.”
Ivan looks over his shoulder.
“It’s funny.”
“What is?”
“How you don’t count yourself.” He clapped his hands.
“Hurry up.”
I follow after him.
“Me? I’m nothing I’m barely?—”
“Late.” Ace shook his head.
“Traffic was light, what was the hold up? Anything I should know about?”
“Question.” I held up my hand.
“Do you get offended when your body gets sick? Like if you sneeze are you pissed just because your immune system isn’t strong enough to keep the germs at bay? Furthermore, if I sneeze on you is it more intimidating than pulling a knife?”
"Science.” Ivan clapped his hands. “I mean, make your hypothesis and run with it, Raven. You are studying international business. All dealings are about social and economic not to mention?—”
"She’s going to be late to class if she doesn’t eat soon,” Ace interrupted.
“And I still have to show her around where she’ll be staying.”
I internally rolled my eyes.
“I know what the townhomes look like.”
“I added some needed upgrades.” Ace held out his hand to Ivan.
“I’ll be in touch.”
"Dude, you’ve known each other for years, stop with the handshakes.” I shoved past him. “And I’m hungry.” And heartbroken. And already exhausted. Mentally. Physically. “Let’s go.”
To his credit, Ace nodded while Ivan winked at me and walked off. I fell into step toward the married life townhomes, feeling nothing but the pain of regret and crushing sadness.
Would Louis and I eventually have gotten married if my dad approved?
Would we have been living in one of these townhouses on campus?
My stomach sinks.
My phone went off in my pocket. I checked it.
A text from Ace.
“That should be your class schedule along with the passcode for the townhome, it will change every week, and only you and I will have the specific code. We can’t be too careful.” We approached the modern two story townhome. It was gray brick and white paint with some exposed wood on the outside. It was in line with at least a dozen others. Each had a fire pit in the back and outdoor living to encourage a safe and familial feel on campus.
The five families took meal time very seriously—and pushed it on every single human in existence—daily.
“I’ve also already spoken to all of your professors and added more security throughout campus. Until we catch the culprit or find out more of what happened and why, your every move will be followed.”
"Can I at least pee in peace?
”
He typed in the code to the door.
It made a cheerful chime then opened.
“No. Actually. I’ll be waiting outside and listening.”
"Hilarious.”
"Did you think I was kidding?
”
"No. You have zero sense of humor, and If I didn’t know you were a little bit of a man whore when you were in college I’d say you were going to die a sad virgin clutching your rosary.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You were too young to know anything about me in college. They could have just been rumors. Maybe I’ve never seen a naked woman.”
“Then a naked man. Good for you. Either way you’ve seen tits, I’d bet my life on it.”
"Vulgar,” he snapped.
“Even for you. Now, all your food was purchased today. You’ll eat all your meals here.”
"And when we go out…” I waltzed into the kitchen opened the fridge and grabbed a water. “Are you going to taste my food before I eat?”
He blinked. “Good idea, I’ll add that to my list.”
"I was kidding.
”
"I’m not. I didn’t think they could poison you, but it’s easy to pay people off when they only make minimum wage.” He pulled out his phone and started furiously typing, his fingers sliding across the screen like another superhuman ability.
“Stop.”
He didn’t stop.
I reached for his phone, but he moved out of my way.
I kicked at his feet then tripped into his arms. My hands got caught next to his cock trapping me against him and with his arms high overhead and his body pressed against the breakfast bar.
Slowly, he stared down at my hands. “That’s not on my list; I think you have to pay extra for favors.”
Before I could stop it, a nervous chill ran down my spine. “Oh good, a food taster and a eunuch.”
He snorted out a laugh and leaned in. “I’m not a eunuch, you prude. Now kindly remove your hand from my dick before I report you to your dad.”
"And what would you report?
Hmmm?”
"Insolent.” He shoved me away. “And irritating.”
“Then why are you here!” I yelled. “Why are you the one guarding me if you don’t even want to be here?”
“Because.” He lifted his chin. “I’m the only one who was willing to take it on.”
"It?
”
“The job. You,” he rasped.
“The burden of guarding you. I was the only one who said yes.” He shoved past me.
“Thank me later. It’s time for class.”
He didn’t see the tear that slid down my cheek.
I wiped it too fast.
The human eye can't see or feel a stomach drop the way mine did, it wasn’t fast either; it was this slow painful descent like my body was just realizing that nobody wanted me—not even a paid guard.
My head jerked up. “Ace?”
"Five minutes. What?”
"He was paid too." It was a statement, one I needed him to kindly reject.
"All your bodyguards are on payroll.” He truly lacked the ability to read the room.
“And if I slept with him?” I asked.
"A finger,” Ace said, his reply almost polite.
"What?”
"A pound of flesh, starting with a finger,” he said. “For defying your father’s rules.”
"And those would be?”
"Touch her and die.”
I hung my head. “And he did.”
“Are you saying your own family killed him?”
“No,” I whispered. “I’m saying I probably did.”