Chapter 36
Iwrestle Jax’s body through the crypts, leaving Vesper alone in my room, shrouded in darkness.
I administered her sedative, so I’m not worried she’s gonna wake up.
After I drag his lifeless corpse through the tunnels, I race back to find Kieran leaning against the doorway to my bedroom examining her.
“Fucking Christ, Zain,” Kieran scoffs. His eyes skirt over Vesper’s listless, drugged body. Had to get her back here somehow. I miscalculated her curiosity…and I don’t fuck up. Ever.
He rakes his fingers through his curly waves and steps into the room. “You fucking drugged her,” he says flatly. He loses himself in a chuckle. “Goddamn, Zain. You really fucked up.”
“No shit. You gonna help or stand there like a useless asshole?” I ask dryly. She’s due to wake up soon. She can’t leave until I figure shit out first.
He shakes his head and crosses his arms. His eyes drift over her sleeping form sprawled out on my bed. “Always man, but you owe me for interrupting shit at Nyla’s party. I was getting my dick wet, and you fucked that up.”
I close my eyes and dig deep for a semblance of self-control.
I’m a hair away from exploding, and I still need answers that only Kieran can provide.
Gotta get this shit handled first though.
Didn’t think I’d be spending my evening torturing a dude, hiding a corpse, and drugging my girl, but here we are.
It’s taking every ounce of self-control to not lose my shit on Kieran.
“Grab her fuckin’ feet and tie them to the damn bedpost,” I snap. Kieran shakes his head but does what he’s told. The guy never questions me. Never questions my fucked-up motives.
Her body is easy enough to secure. Amongst the shuffling, I find my switchblade tucked underneath her. I pocket it and realize that’s probably why she was here in the first fuckin’ place. She came to return it and shit escalated. Something burns inside me at the thought, but I quickly douse it.
My eyes trace back over her comatose form.
Her long black hair frames her heart-shaped face.
She looks almost peaceful. It’s a shame this is the last moment of peace she’s gonna get for a while.
I’m not oblivious to the fact I can’t keep her prisoner, but she’s gonna hate that I won’t be disappearing from her life.
The fact she’s found out that I’ve been letting her consume my thoughts the last few years, she’s gonna wanna know why.
Still too soon to carry out the plan, though there’s light at the end of the tunnel. What a fuckin’ night.
He raises a brow as he ties her ankle. “You need therapy man. You’re fucking staring at her like she’s your last meal,” he jeers.
I’m on the edge of reason, ready to explode.
Therapy? If anyone needs that shit, it’s him, but now isn’t the time to ruffle his feathers.
I need answers. I let my anger resonate through my system, and it gets the best of me.
“Comin’ from someone who obsesses over a new pussy every week?
” I retort, fire burning in my words. I tie her wrist tighter than I mean to out of frustration.
His face turns tight. Hit a nerve. “At least I can feel,” he says with malice.
Keep it together, Zain.
Kieran quickly changes the subject and throws his hands up. “You good? Or can I get back to getting laid? Unlike other people, I actually have class tomorrow.”
“Since when do you give a fuck about class?” I say, dumbfounded, giving him a crinkled grimace. Dude gives as many fucks about class as I do. Not like he even needs that shit. He’s the dean’s son for Christ’s sake.
He scowls and crosses his arms over his chest. “Since now. Why do you give a fuck?” he says defensively.
I shake my head. “Who the fuck would want Vesper, Kieran?” I prod slowly, keeping my eyes trained on him.
Instantly, he bristles. His body goes rigid. “What the fuck are you talking about?” He buries his hands in his jeans pockets and tips his chin forward.
The prick is hiding something. Despite being my best friend, I won’t hesitate to throttle him if he lies to me. I step forward. “Cut the shit. Who would be after Vesper?” I ask again.
He lets out a deep exhale and rubs his hands over his face. “Fuck man, did something happen?”
So, the fucker does know something. “Talk. Now.”
He leans against my nightstand. “Man, you’re not ready for this level of shit,” he says cautiously, rubbing the back of his neck. Reluctance fills his tone.
I sit on the edge of the bed and caress Vesper’s soft black strands though my fingertips. “Try me,” I say, my eyes meeting his with pure, hateful, seething flames.
“If she was targeted, you’re fucked,” he starts, shaking his head. “The prestigious fucks in our school run an underground pleasure house. Wild shit. Sometimes consensual. Sometimes not. The girls for the pleasure house are…chosen.”
I assess his words. “Who? What girls? How?”
He blows out a heavy breath. “It’s run by the Elites. Anyone who has money and is affiliated with Grimshaw.” His eyes laser into me. He’s being vague instead of laying it all out. I don’t like shit sugarcoated. I want all the information.
I struggle to wrap my head around this shit. I jolt forward from the bed. Vesper lets out a heavy moan and lolls her head to the side. Luckily, she remains asleep. For now. That sedative will wear off soon, so I gotta get this shit figured out now.
He pushes off the nightstand. Sweat sheens on his forehead. His head dips back, and he rips at his hair. “Fuck, Zain. Just tell me what the fuck is going on!”
If anyone owes me an explanation, it’s his ass. “You better start elaborating on this shit,” I shout, looking up at him. Vesper lets out another whimper.
He licks his inner cheek and rolls his eyes.
A dark chuckle escapes his lips. “My father runs that shit, the pleasure house. It’s how the school keeps up appearances and the money for scholarships.
It’s a front, alright? The scholarships ensure females for their pleasure house.
That’s how we funnel money. Your father is in on it.
Vesper’s father. Everyone who has their hand in Grimshaw in some way. All of the Elites.”
I snap my eyes shut for a brief moment. “Hold the fuck on. Why the fuck do I know nothing about this shit? I’m Elite.”
He steps closer. “You distanced yourself, man. All the junior Elites know all about it. Hell, they take on their parents’ legacy with the pleasure house too. You though, you left that shit behind.”
My face scrunches, indignant. “So did you,” I challenge. Kieran rebels against his dad any way he can. Never asked why. That’s his own business, but the fact this fucker knows all this shit but I don’t irritates me. He coulda told me at any point.
He throws his head back and lets out a long chuckling groan. “Man, I’ll never escape this shit. Do you not understand? I’m the fucking dean’s son. I don’t get to choose shit.” He presses his fingers to his temple in the shape of a gun while making an elaborate display of a gun popping off.
Understanding dawns on my features. “So wait a fuckin’ minute. Do the females not know shit? How are they involved? How is she involved?” I point aggressively to Vesper.
He shakes his head. “They are kept in the dark until they’re married off most of the time.
A select few are told about the Void. Just depends.
And they’re always married off. They never get a choice.
Ever wonder why Elites always end up with Elites?
Not by chance, that’s for damn sure!” His voice raises slightly into a sardonic rasp.
He swallowed before continuing. This is a lot of shit to take in. I struggle to piece it together.
“On rare occasions my father is unable to secure enough willing females from scholarship, it is rooted in the rules that they’re allowed to choose one from one of the Elite families. Usually the youngest…” He trails off and his gaze wanders over to Vesper.
Oh, fuck no.