Chapter 8
M y hand throbbed from the sting of the slap that I just delivered to this self-righteous prick’s face. It was bad enough that I was forced to be at this bloody party, and that I was expected to dress in an outfit that barely covered my underwear in the name of representing the Courts, but now I had these three dickshits muscling in on my private affairs. There wasn't enough alcohol in the world to deal with this.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" I hissed at the blond haired lout in front of me. I was already in a fight. I was all too aware of the fragile ego of this type of guy, so fragile that the well-deserved slap would likely result in further dickish behaviour. Especially since Cole Bowers was known for his more violent behaviour on campus. But as the shock of the slap wore off, this guy didn't seem to be angry. A slow smirk grew on his face as he touched his fingers to the reddened imprint of my hand.
"Damn beautiful," he seemed to coo proudly, "You have quite the sting there." It was only this close up that I could see that his eyes were different colours. One blue, one brown, and both currently saturated in a level of desire that made my insides flutter. He stepped forward, close enough that I could smell the spice of his cologne and the heat from his body. "I bet you are a wildcat in the bedroom." The fluttering in my stomach sparked into a small fire at the intensity of his attention on me and for a second, I forgot that I was furious with him. Then it came rushing back with a vengeance.
"Get the fuck out of my face," I snarled as I shoved him away, "Before I give you a matching hand print on the other side of your face." I knew that there was no way I would have been able to move the wall of meat in front of me, so when he stepped back, I knew it was his choice.
"Aw, we're just trying to protect you, Poison," Ryder Purcell mused from beside me. "McIntyre is bad news, and we would hate for you to get hurt."
"What the fuck do you care?" I snapped back at him, annoyed as he looked me up and down like I was a piece of meat.
"Because it's our job." Logan stepped forward, his eyes seemed to glint with a dark possessiveness that only confused my alcohol soaked brain further. I tried to back away from him, but it only seemed to amuse him more as he caged me in, the hard wall at my back. I was suddenly all too aware that I was alone in a room with three guys that could easily overpower me if they so chose to. "Not to mention our reputation."
"What the fuck does that mean?" I stuttered. His woodsy scent seemed to surround me, only furthering the hazy effects of the two large glasses of wine that I had downed when I arrived at the party.
"It means, Princess." Logan's voice was low, seeming to vibrate through me, "That every man on this campus knows that the Courts girls are off limits to anyone who isn't a Regent right now, that daring to touch one of our girls is a direct challenge to our leadership. That is something that I cannot and will not allow to happen." There it was again, our girls . Who the fuck did this guy think he was.
"I am not some piece of fucking property that you think you can own," I snarled at him. A slow dangerous arrogant smirk spread across Logan's face, and he reached up to run a finger across my jawline.
"It's cute that you think that, Princess." I slapped his hand away and tried to use both hands against his chest to put space between us. It was becoming increasingly harder to maintain my anger with him so close to me. It was like my body was bypassing my brain and going straight to horny college girl. But not only did he not move a muscle, his proximity seemed to ignite the fire in my traitorous body. I needed to get out of there before my better judgement gave way to the drink.
"Fuck you, dickhead." I swear I tried to sound annoyed, but even I could hear the uncertainty in my voice. I tried again to push him away, but his hand flashed up and gripped my chin. He leaned in closer, whispering in my ear.
"There's that promise again." His breath caressed my neck, sending a fire of lust straight to between my legs. I was struggling not to melt into his hold. What the fuck was wrong with me?
"And this is your only warning Princess, start showing me and my boys some respect and watch your pretty little mouth, before I put it to better use," Logan growled in my ear. His words were like a bucket of cold water to my senses and my anger came rushing back. I shoved harder this time and was surprised that he actually stepped back.
"What the actual fuck," I snarled. Did he really just say what I thought he said? I shouldered past him towards the door, knowing I needed to get out of there. "You are disgusting, and respect is earned, not threatened." I managed to get my hand on the door handle before I felt a steel grip on my arm. I was spun around to face Logan again, a dangerously furious look in his eyes.
"Get one thing straight right now," he snarled. "I have earned every ounce of respect I hold. And you are wrong, the simple act of a threat is very motivating for making you fall in line and respect those higher than you." Everything in me screamed to get away, that this situation was extremely dangerous and was on the verge of going very badly for me. I didn't even try to hide the fear that coursed through me or the shake in my body as his grip tightened around my arm.
"Logan, dude." I glanced beside him where the usual smug smirk that adorned Ryder's face was replaced with a serious, almost concerned look. He had a hand on Logan's shoulder, as if it would stop him from acting out the vicious thoughts that seemed to pass through his eyes. "Just let her go. We have to gather up the guys anyway, it's almost time." I had no idea what he was talking about, but whatever it was seemed to pull Logan out of whatever violent delights he was thinking up for me.
Logan let go of my arm, which suddenly felt like it was throbbing from his hard grip and nodded to Ryder.
"Fine," he said and nodded to the door. I watched cautiously, my body still shaking as the three guys filed quickly out of the room, first Cole, then Ryder who shot a wink in my direction as he passed me. Finally, Logan followed behind the other two. He stopped in the doorway briefly and half looked over his shoulder.
"See you tonight, Princess," he said, his voice loaded with dangerous amusement. Then he stepped out of the room.
What the hell was that? Then it hit me. The text that I had received before the party, the one from the unknown number. It must have been Logan. How the hell did he have my number? Anger quickly replaced the unsettled feeling in my stomach, and I rushed from the room to confront him but as I burst into the party, not one of the three guys were anywhere to be seen. I was all ready to hunt the dick down and demand answers when I met eyes with Luce across the other side of the ballroom. She seemed to stop in her tracks as she saw me and turned to move in the opposite direction. My anger dissolved into hurt. It was becoming increasingly obvious that she was avoiding me for some reason. I set off after her, determined to get answers as to what the hell was going on with her.
I followed her out of the building into the square outside the main building, catching up with her just as she reached the edge of the square.
"Luce, seriously, stop," I said as I grabbed her arm. "Where have you been? I've been trying to get a hold of you all summer." I wasn't expecting the angry look on her face as she whirled to meet me face to face, yanking her arm from my hand.
"Go fuck yourself Cade," she hissed. Her anger shocked me, and I took a step back.
"Whoa," I said, confused and a little hurt. "What the hell, what have I done wrong?"
"Oh, you know exactly what you've done," she said as she glared at me. "I thought we were friends, but no, little miss I'm-so-sweet-and-lonely was only out to get what she wants, no matter who you stepped on to do it. Tell me Cade, was all that shit about your mother even true? Or am I just a stupid fuck for believing your sob story." Her words about my mother cut deep. Other than Silvia, Luce was the only person I had told about how devastating it was to have your mother disappear on you. I wanted to respond but it appeared that she wasn't finished. "Tell me Cade, did you and your shiny new Court friends have a good laugh at my expense?"
"What?" Luce was under the very wrong impression that I wanted to be in this shit show situation that I had found myself in. "Luce, what are you talking about? I didn't choose this. There has been some fuck up somewhere. Please, you need to believe me." Luce's face dropped and I saw hesitation break through her anger.
"Are you trying to tell me that you didn't spend last year cosying up to me so that you could get an in to apply for the Courts?" I could tell that she was still doubtful of what I was saying.
"Luce, I swear, I didn't even apply," I urged, hoping that the truth came through in the sincerity of my voice. "I had no idea what was happening until I got back on Tuesday."
"You didn't apply?" Luce asked and I shook my head. Something flashed through her features as Luce seemed to remember something that she didn't like. Her eyes widened as she looked at me with a dread that turned my stomach.
"Oh my god, Cade," she whispered. "I thought that..." She trailed off as her own mind was processing something. "I can't believe that... but then Ryder-"
"Ryder, what?" I looked up to see Ryder walking quickly towards us with a determined look on his face. He shot Luce a warning look and Luce's mouth clamped closed. She had been about to tell me something, I was sure of it. But now she was doing anything she could not to meet my eyes.
"Luce, are you okay?" I asked her, and she quickly nodded her head. She glanced nervously at Ryder and then back to me before forcing a tense smile onto her face.
"I'm sorry I haven't been in touch," she said quickly. "It was my fault. But let's get caught up after the weekend."
"After the weekend?" I narrowed my eyes at her. "Why not now? We can blow this shit ass party and go back to your dorm room or something." I knew I needed to get Luce alone again. There was something she wasn't saying, and clearly her cousin being around was the reason.
"Luce can't do that right now," Ryder said, his voice almost devoid of emotion. "Isn't that right Luce, don't you have to get ready to visit your father this weekend?" I glanced over as he shot her a pointed look. Luce nodded quickly.
"Erm... yeah, yeah I do," Luce stuttered. She tried to smile at me again. "I'll send you a message when I'm back and we can meet up, if you are available." I nodded, still unsure.
"Of course I will be available," I said. Why would she think that was even a consideration? Luce nodded quickly and with another timid glance at Ryder, she turned and dashed in the direction of the dorms. I watched her go, wanting to follow, but I had the feeling that the imposing presence standing next to me would have something to say about it.
I turned to face Ryder, ready to grill him instead.
"What the fuck do you want now?" I all but growled at him. Much to my frustration, his face split into a wide flirtatious grin.
"I just wanted to check on you, Poison." he schmoozed. "I know that Logan can be a bit intense sometimes, but he's a softy once you get to know him." I almost snorted at the idea of Logan Bale being anything even remotely close to the term softy. But instead, I tried to level a hard stare on Ryder.
"If he wants to apologise for being a dick, then it should be coming from him, not one of his minions," I sniped, and Ryder held his hand over his heart in mock hurt.
"Oh Poison, you wound me with your words," he said dramatically. Then his smirk widened, and he stepped closer. "But I'll let you make it up to me if you want to make it all better." Even though his tone was flirtatious, there was something on the edge of it that was sharp and almost exciting. Ryder looked at me like I was something good to eat and he was starving. His hand landed on my hip as he leaned in close to my ear.
"I am certainly more than willing to apologise to you on Logan's behalf." his voice had taken on a low purr that shot directly to my pussy, and I was ashamedly a hair's breadth away from taking him up on his offer. "I'm happy to make my apology slow and last all fucking night." Oh shit, my resolve was quickly crumbling. There was something about Ryder Purcell. Something below the playful flirtation, something deep and intense, and every bit as dangerous as it was intoxicating.
I shook myself quickly, an attempt to regain control of my senses before I did something really fucking stupid.
"I'm too drunk for this shit," I muttered as I forced myself to step back, out of his grasp. The look on his face made it clear that he knew what effect he was having on me, which only pissed me off further.
"Fuck this shit, I'm going home," I said aloud, more to myself than anyone else. Surprisingly, Ryder seemed to let me go as I turned and stumbled across the square, needing to put as much distance between us as I could. I hesitated, looking back over my shoulder to see Ryder standing exactly where I had left him in the lit up square. Even from here, I could tell that his eyes were firmly focused on me. But that wasn't what sent a shiver down my spine. What had a chill run through my bones. standing on the steps of the building behind Ryder was Logan and Cole and they were just as focused on me. I turned back around and stumbled quickly down the driveway with a sickening dread buzzing through me.