2. One Stupid Mistake
ONE STUPID MISTAKE
Axel
Screams echoed off the bluffs, cutting through the classical music and chatter from Copper Cove’s high society. Of course, no one else heard the wailing.
No one else was haunted.
They continued sipping their overpriced cocktails inside the mansion and out on the patio, delicate lanterns and tea lights creating a soft glow against the harsh darkness.
A nightmare didn’t greet them when they looked over the edge into the churning waters below. Only me.
But I deserved it, didn’t I?
The cool summer breeze drifting from the sea tossed my dark blond hair and seeped through the layers of finery I’d love to rip off. I pulled at the bow tie as it strangled me. Or were those the hands of a furious phantom come to take his revenge?
That night never left me. It always skulked in the back of my mind, hidden with laughter and jokes. One day, I’d have to face the consequences.
One stupid mistake—a careless decision—nearly cost me everything.
“You’re not one to usually hide at these events, Vanderhart.” Gage appeared beside me, passing over a glass of scotch while keeping one for himself. “Are you planning an escape? If so, I want in.”
Gage Van Horn hated everything about high society but, like most of us, he was born into it and couldn’t escape. Not even the piercings, tattoos, and purple hair got him off the hook.
“Just taking a break from charming all the widows.” I winked and lifted the glass to my lips to take a deep sip, the alcohol burning my throat.
His dark gaze drilled into me, seeing past all my bullshit, just like he always did. “Don’t let it eat at you, man.”
I sighed and turned toward the ocean again. If it weren’t for Gage, Slate, and Killian, this shit would have destroyed me. They kept me from self-destructing that year. And the brotherhood kept me out of prison.
The spark of a lighter echoed moments before smoke floated toward the bluff. “Didn’t we talk about this, Van Horn? I thought you were quitting.”
A cigarette hung from Gage’s pierced lip as he glared. “What are you, my mother? Let me slowly kill myself in peace.”
“What kind of a mother would I be if I let you do that?” The bastards all ragged on me for the overabundance of love and care I rained down on them. But I knew how much they truly needed and appreciated it.
Gage rolled his eyes, took one more drag, and flicked the cherry out. “Happy?”
“For now.” I grinned and ruffled his purple hair, screwing up his fauxhawk. “I’d be even happier if you found a hot chick to take home. Maybe she’d wipe that constant frown off your face.”
He elbowed me off. “My type is definitely not inside.”
“Bullshit.” I grabbed his arm and towed him toward the huge Tudor mansion, the backdrop of tonight’s fancy soiree. “You’ve been with plenty of socialites and sorority hotties.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” His mouth twitched into a barely-there smile as we entered the mansion. “You must be thinking of someone else.”
Inside, my sexy date leaned against the long mahogany bar, the silver dress caressing her curves like a second skin. My dick twitched at all the things I planned to do to her as soon as we left—if not before. She was always down to sneak away for a fuck. “There’s Cordi.”
Gage pulled out of my grip. “I’m hungry.”
“Whatever, bro.” He acted like Cordelia Chesson was the freaking plague.
I had no idea why those two didn’t get along. They’d attended the same high school, but he said they didn’t run in the same circle.
As I neared the bar, another guy moved in, running his fingers over her bare back. She laughed and leaned into his touch, batting her lashes.
My gut twisted, the scotch threatening to shoot up my esophagus. Any girl would be ecstatic to land me, the rich and charming Axel Vanderhart, but I had to be head over heels for the only one who thought monogamy was a joke.
I’d like to hunt down the guy who broke her heart and break his fucking nose.
That would have to wait. Right now, I needed to focus on the prick practically grabbing her ass. She was my date.
I plucked a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and swooped in on Cordi’s other side. “Hey, beautiful. You look a little thirsty.”
Her green eyes lit up as they landed on the sparkling beverage. “You know me so well, Ax.”
“I do.” I winked and unleashed my panty-dropping smile. “In all the important ways.”
A blush coated her cheeks as she bit her lip, possibly thinking about our morning rendezvous. “How could I forget?”
She often did when some other guy piqued her interest. I’d give Cordelia anything she wanted, anything in the world, if she’d stop being so fucking stubborn.
The guy on her other side cleared his throat, stealing her attention. She flashed him the same sexy grin she just gave me.
“Ax, you know Charles Davidson, right? He’s a Kappa Omega.”
I jerked my chin in a nod. “What’s up, Charlie? I haven’t seen you on the social scene in a while.”
He shrugged. “I’ve been keeping a low profile after breaking up with Richelle.”
Cordi grabbed her chest, those full, juicy lips pouting. “I heard about that. I’m so sorry. Breakups are the worst.”
“It sucks, but I’m enjoying my current company.” He skimmed his finger over her shoulder, and it took every ounce of my control not to smack his hand away.
If I showed even one iota of jealousy or possessiveness, this girl would run for the hills.
A waitress caught Cordi’s attention, and she pushed away from the bar. “There’s my friend, Hailey.” She walked backward and wiggled her fingers at us. “You boys play nice.”
“Sure thing, beautiful,” I called out, plastering a grin on my face until she disappeared into the crowd.
“Cordelia’s so fucking hot,” Charlie said, adjusting his pants against his semi hard on, not trying to hide it from me in the slightest. “I can’t wait to have her on her knees, choking on my cock—you know, when you’re done with her.”
I downed the rest of my scotch and set my empty glass on the bar. “Your bow tie is coming undone. Let me fix it for you.”
He smoothed a wayward strand of blond hair from his face. “Thanks. My dad would kick my ass if I looked less than perfect.”
I stood in front of him and adjusted the silk material, firmly pulling at it.
Charlie gave a dry laugh. “I think that’s a little too tight.”
“Not yet.” The friendly smile dropped from my face as my fingers coiled around his throat. His gaze darted left and right, quickly realizing my big frame blocked him from sight.
As his face reddened, he attempted to break my grip. Please. I was a fucking football star, while he played water polo, and sucked at it.
“Dude, what the hell?”
“You know all those scary rumors about some of us Sigma Delts?” I leaned in closer and winked. “They’re true.”
Panic eclipsed his brown eyes as he choked, a vein throbbing in his forehead. “I’m going… to fucking… pass out.”
“Stay away from Cordelia Chesson.” My thumb dug into his Adam’s apple. “Got it?”
Charlie tried to nod. “Y-yeah. G-got it.”
I released him and smoothed his collar. “You should get some fresh air. You look a little faint.”
The Kappa O bolted into the crowd, casting a terrified glance over his shoulder. Cordi would kill me if she knew I threatened a guy away from her. But he only wanted to use her.
I wanted more. I wanted everything.
She just needed to believe I’d never hurt her.
A groan tumbled from my mouth, and I dragged a hand down my face. This girl had me by the balls. I needed to get a grip before I did something regrettable, like beg her for a real chance.
I left the bar and headed down one of the hallways branching off the main room in search of the bathroom. My broad form cast a massive reflection on the polished marble floors, like a lumbering monster ready to pillage and eat. Which reminded me…
Damn, I was hungry.
As I turned the corner, contemplating the spread that would be laid out somewhere inside, someone smacked into me, and I caught a familiar figure in my arms. “Whoa, Battenberg, slow down. Did the wife of an old billionaire just croak? In a hurry to sink your claws into him?”
“Screw you, Axel,” Lorelei hissed in that venomous tone she always had cocked and loaded.
But there was something different this time, something not quite right.
Her words cracked and fine tremors raced through her body. Those brown eyes, usually full of contempt or boredom when she looked at me, were wide and watery, rimmed in red as if fighting back tears.
“Are you okay?” As I pulled her into me, scarlet marks on her neck became apparent, and I could see that a few crystals on her dress around the top were torn off.
The thin blond tried to escape my hold. “I-I’m fine. Like you’d care, anyway.”
Now that I was bigger than most, I had this impulse to protect those smaller and weaker than me—as long as they weren’t in my way like Charlie. Maybe it was because I knew what it felt like to be picked on. Or maybe it was some demented attempt to make amends for what I did.
Either way, something was very wrong with Lorelei Battenberg.
I gripped her chin and lifted it, forcing her to meet my penetrating gaze. “Did someone hurt you?”