Chapter 16
sixteen
That evening, I perch on the stoop of Beta House, my parka zipped to my chin, bass rattling the windows. My knees shaking. This is a terrible idea.
I know as soon as I enter, Ayan is going to target me. And the rest of the guys who were in that room. Ones I don’t know, but they’ll surely know me.
The brothers who watched me come.
Still, my Omega sister and recent friend, Ashlyn Donovan, asked me to look into her own mystery—another student dead on Wicked Wednesday. And the thread that ties both deaths together?
Rowan Greaves.
I feel utterly compelled to do this for her. For the university as a whole. But mainly for Ellis.
Digging my phone out of my pocket, I text the one person who owes me. For loyalty. And to prove he still means something to me.
Me
Are you my friend or not?
Logan
What? Of course I am. Why?
Me
Then make it up to me and sneak me into Beta House. I need to get to Ayan’s room.
Logan
Scoutie…
Me
You owe me, Logan. You know Ayan deserves it.
I suck in cold air until it burns my lungs, waiting for his reply. Is this it? Is our friendship done? Or will he come through?
Logan
Come to the back door, but hurry. I’ll hold it for you.
I smile to myself. One less person to chop out of my life.
When I scurry toward their patio, I’m careful to avoid the windows. Dipping low. Hoping the stupid ears on my beanie don’t give me away.
Logan leans on the open door as he sees me approach, his breath huffing out in a white cloud. He waves me in, and I quicken my pace.
“I don’t know what you’re planning, and I don’t want to,” he says as he shuts us in. We’re in the little service hallway in the back, the one closest to the stairs straight to the top…where Ayan’s room is.
“Remember when we were kids and you told on everyone, little snitch?” I’m a lot shorter than him, but his blue eyes widen when I step into his chest and hold my finger up like a threat.
“Don’t start with that.” He grimaces, wire-rimmed glasses fogging up with the sweat beading at his hairline.
“Yes. Exactly. Don’t start now either.” I have nothing to hold over his head, except guilt. Which he’s very sensitive to. “You stood in front of Ayan as he cheated on me.”
His Adam’s apple bobs when he swallows. Under his breath, he whispers, “But he’s my president—”
“And I used to be your best friend. Remember? Before Ellis? You and I were inseparable.”
The warmth returns to his face like he’s picturing us back then. “Fine. Just don’t tell me anything. I’ll claim ignorance. He’s down in his office, so he won’t know you’re upstairs. Just…hurry.”
“Bye, friend.” I nod once, reassuring him we’re good now, then I dart up the stairs.
As soon as I find Ayan’s room, I twist the knob and sigh with relief that it’s open.
Not hesitating, I dash into his bathroom, reach into my pocket, and produce a bottle of hair remover.
I find his shampoo bottle in the shower, unscrew the cap, and fill it up with some of the product I brought with me.
After shaking it and carefully setting it back where I found it, I step back.
Smile. And take a deep inhale of victory.
A few washes and it will seep out into his fingers. Onto his hairbrush. Slowly. More clumps will fall out…
He’ll be so sad he’s going bald at such a young age.
And I won’t stop until it’s all gone.
Now, for the next item on the agenda.
I carefully make my way back to the living room, seeking out Logan or someone to tell me where Rowan’s room is.
Things are not riotous as they normally are. Several guys play Call of Duty on the large screens in the living room. Barely anyone is in the kitchen, though it looks as if they had some type of rager recently.
Ayan rounds the corner from the back hall and stops short, dark eyes narrowing at me.
I remember months ago when I used to be happy to see him. Now all I can think about is what he had planned for me. How could I have been so blind?
He had the name. The position. And seemed so focused on his future.
It was all a lie that I fell for because I wanted to check him off my list.
“You can’t be here,” he says. “You’re not invited.”
I raise my chin defiantly. “I need to talk to Rowan.”
His jaw drops, and he shoves his shirt sleeves up… My brow furrows as I catch several scratches on his forearms, ruddy and deep. Someone was clawing at him.
“You’re a cunt.” He says it like he owns the word.
“And you’re an insecure little boy propped up by a family name. No talent. No brains. Just a bag of nothing,” I sneer. “So just tell me where he is and make yourself useful for once.”
A few of the other Betas clear the room, shoving into my shoulder as they pass.
His eyes narrow. “Why?”
“Because he saw Ellis get murdered, and I—”
Ayan tosses his head back. And laughs. Like I just said something hilarious.
“Ellis was murdered. Oh, that’s great. I bet you’re devastated.”
Fury locks every muscle in my body. “How can you be so callous?”
“So someone left you alive but took out your best friend. If it was Rowan, I’d shake his hand.”
He takes a step closer and my pulse spikes. I can smell him. That familiar cologne that was always too much. Too thick. It makes me gag.
“Unfortunately for you? You can’t talk to Rowan.”
I blink up at him. Grit my teeth and sneer. “Why not?”
A tiny smirk makes the corners of his lips twitch.
“Rowan Greaves overdosed last night.”