Chapter 24 Subtlety Is A Form Of Art
SUBTLETY IS A FORM OF ART
JACOB
“You know how I feel about meeting on campus.” I lean back in my chair when Anson and Derek step into my office, closing the door behind them.
Anson smirks, brushing his dark-red hair off his face. “The great Sigma Sin interrogator masquerading around as the respectable professor. You know I can’t pass up the opportunity to see you pretending you’re honorable.”
He drops into the seat beside Derek.
“Subtlety is a form of art.” I tap my thumb on the arm of my chair. “Maybe it would do you some good to learn that.”
Anson shrugs. “We both know I’m better when I’m being direct.”
I’ve known Anson and Derek since my second year of college, when they pledged Sigma House. I wouldn’t call them friends, but we’ve always shared a common goal to protect the fraternity. Like me, they prefer to operate on the sidelines, taking care of the dirty work and avoiding the political games.
It’s why I reached out to them after Declan approached me with information on Gideon a few months ago. I knew they’d jump at the opportunity to help, as they’ve never shied away from an excuse to spill traitor blood.
The problem is, when I initially reached out, all I saw was vengeance. The situation wasn’t as delicate, and my intentions with Patience weren’t as complicated.
“I have class in less than an hour.” I hurry them along, since I don’t like conducting House business on campus. “Talk fast.”
“You were more fun back in college.” Anson shakes his head, resting his forearms on my desk. “Word in Bristal is that Gideon is making moves. With his son out of Montgomery, he’s trying to position a Lancaster to lead the Council.”
“Declan and Quinn won’t let that happen.” I shake my head. “And Alex doesn’t want it.”
“How do you know what he does or doesn’t want? He’s been meeting with his father since he got out. They could be working against us. That mute psycho—”
“Don’t.” I grip the arm of my chair, my eyes narrowing.
“What’s your deal with that fucking kid? You’ve been protective of him since his trial went sideways. Are you forgetting he’s just an extension of his father?” Derek’s eyes darken.
“Leave the Lancasters to me.” I don’t bother answering his question because then I’d have to reveal too much.
To go down that rabbit hole myself and admit why I have any sympathy for Alex Lancaster.
The truth is, I feel guilty.
As the one who administered his trial, it was on me to set the limits. To push him to a breaking point but to pull back as needed. Except, I got played. Someone called me away to gain access to Alex, and in my absence, he was nearly killed. It’s my fault for leaving that room.
The core of the House is to protect its members. When that foundation breaks, we all do. As someone who has experienced the failings of the House firsthand, I can’t help relating to what Alex has been through.
We bear different scars but similar damage.
“Well, something needs to be done before Gideon does something that fucks us all.” Anson leans back in his chair.
“If you aren’t going to act, then why did you bring us in?
I’m tempted to take care of the matter myself.
Hell, maybe I’m done hiding in the shadows.
There’s a presidential seat up for grabs; maybe I’ll take it. ”
“We both know you’re better at burying bodies than playing politics, Anson. Don’t get in over your head.”
“Someone needs to step up.” He shrugs. “Someone needs to clean up this mess Declan created before the whole system collapses. And it sure as fuck won’t be Gideon Lancaster or his son.”
“It won’t.” I drag my palm over my face.
While I appreciate Declan’s vision for rebuilding the House, he went at it with brute force.
Took a sledgehammer to the knees of Sigma House and sent the structure toppling.
Now there’s a fracture between the fraternity and the men who came before them.
Someone needs to bridge the gap before it crumbles.
“Why not use the girl already? Isn’t that why you had Declan deliver her?” Derek finally joins the conversation, watching me. “Put a little pressure on Gideon, and he’ll cooperate. Then we can finally deal with him.”
Darkness sweeps through me. At the mention of Patience, the urge to smash Derek’s face in with a hammer is so strong. But I don’t because Derek is correct; that’s exactly why I brought Patience to LA. I can’t let them know my intentions have changed, or they’ll flip it around on me.
Anson nods, considering what Derek said. “Dangling her in front of her father would speed things up.”
“I’m not worried about doing this fast. We need to do this right.” It takes everything in me to calm this biting edge in my tone. “The Lancaster daughter is a last resort. You don’t go near her unless I say so.”
Anson’s eyes narrow, but I don’t break his gaze. I hold the line and hope he sees it as a command, and not that she’s starting to get under my skin. Weaknesses are deadly in Sigma House, and that’s what Patience has become.
“Do we have an understanding?”
“Yes, boss.” Anson smirks, and it’s unsettling trying to decipher how much he’s figured out.
“Keep an eye on Gideon, and I’ll follow up with Declan about Alex. If it looks like a play is about to be made, I’ll reassess. Otherwise, we stick to the plan and hang back. The last thing we need is to get involved too soon and get caught up in the fallout. Wait until it settles.”
A knock comes at my door, and Sophia pops her head in.
Anson grins at her, his gaze cutting to me. “Looks like you’re busy. I’ll leave you to it.”
They stand, grinning at Sophia as she steps aside to let them pass. Derek winks at me before they disappear around the corner, but Sophia doesn’t notice.
“Can I help you?”
“The class turned in their research papers on the Irsite case this afternoon. If you need me to stay late and review them with you, I can.”
“Already done. I glanced through them as they sent them over.”
“Oh.” Her frown deepens. “Well, if you want me to stay on campus for a couple of weeks while you prepare for the interview—”
“It’s fine.” I spot Patience over Sophia’s shoulder, walking down the hallway toward us. A beautiful little flare of jealousy lights in her gaze. Possessiveness looks good on her. “I already have help in mind.”
Sophia looks over her shoulder, following my stare to Patience.
It’s incredible how Patience can cover every inch of her skin and still be the sexiest thing I’ve seen in my life. Her jeans hug her rounded hips. And her three-quarter-sleeve pink shirt is practically latex on her skin.
Patience freezes halfway down the hallway, her eyes moving to me.
I wave her forward. “Give us a moment, Sophia. I’ll see you in class.”
Sophia frowns, her eyes moving between me and Patience, and I know I’m risking my career. My reputation. My life, if I’m being honest. Because once her father figures out what I’m doing, he’ll take me out before I get the chance to deal with him.
I’m risking it all for her, and I couldn’t give two fucks about it.
Sophia glares at Patience as she walks out of my office, but Patience doesn’t meet her stare. She’s focused on me, just like I want her.
“Door,” I say, and she closes it behind her. “Come here, Patience.”
She rolls her shoulders back, smart enough to meet me on my side of the desk. I stand, meeting her when she does.
“You’re jealous,” I point out, and she immediately opens her mouth to argue, so I plant my thumb over her lips, stopping her. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing when it looks so fucking sexy on you, just that you have no need. Who was in my bed last night?”
Her cheeks pinken. “Me.”
“Exactly. And as we’ve established, I’m a bit obsessed with you.”
“Just a bit?” She smirks.
Running her mouth and challenging me like always.
I’d planned to save my gift for dinner later, but if she’s going to test me, she’s going to learn what kind of games I like to play.
“Turn around and unzip your jeans, Patience.”
Her eyes widen, and her perfect red lips pop open. “Here?”
“Do you trust me?”
There’s barely a pause before she nods, and I should probably feel guilty when she has no idea how bad that is. But pride fills my chest.
“Now spin around and bend over for me, baby.” I skate my hands to her hips, guiding her until she’s slowly bending over my desk.
Flattening my palm, I rub it down her spine, and she moans.
“I’m not going to fuck you right now.”
Patience glances over her shoulder and frowns. “You aren’t?”
The fact that she’s disappointed almost breaks my resolve. “No. I’m going to show you how badly I want you so that you stop questioning it.”
“How are you going to do that?”
I slip her jeans to her knees, sliding my hands up the back of her bare thighs and round ass. “By making you feel a fraction of what I feel for you every second I’m around you.”
Reaching into the drawer beside my desk, I pull out a small box, popping it open.
I hook her underwear and peel it to the side. “Look at you, already so wet for me. Do you want your present now?”
“What is it?”
“Something that’s going to make you feel good.”
I drag my fingers through her pussy, then lick her off them. Patience has her eyes on me the entire time.
“Want a taste?” I wink when she hasn’t looked away.
“I’d rather taste you.” Her gaze drops to my cock, which is pressing against my pants and going to be a real problem when I have to teach class in less than an hour.
The thought of her mouth stretching for me. Of filling her throat until tears drip down her face. Until her cheeks are red and she can’t breathe from how deep I’m filling her…
I grab the front of my pants and try to calm my breathing. “Later.”
My perfect angel. I’m going to fuck her until she’s covered in cum.
“Open.” I lift the pocket vibrator to her lips, and like the good girl she is, she opens so I can drag it over her tongue. “Later, you’re going to put this pretty tongue on my cock. But right now, I want you to keep this inside you while I teach, and we’ll revisit this conversation later.”
I shove the vibrator into her pussy. One end of the curve sinks inside her, while the other presses against her clit.
It hides against her body as I slide her underwear back in place.
Then I redo her pants, pulling her ass to me as I zip her up in front.
The prettiest blush paints her cheeks when she stands to spin around.
“It feels weird.” She wiggles, trying to adjust.
I skate my hand up the front of her chest, teasing her nipple until I’m gripping her throat. “Trust me.”
Patience’s shoulders relax, and pride swells in my chest. She’s letting me in—offering me her trust. She’s going to submit in every way. To let me do as I wish. I refuse to accept anything less.
This angel is becoming my tunnel vision, and I won’t stop until she’s completely mine.
“I trust you,” she whispers.
“Good girl.” I lean in, planting a soft kiss on her temple. “Now go to class with my present inside you. I’ll see you soon.”