I was in over my head when it came to Dakota and his fucked-up family. I was a small pawn in a game I knew absolutely nothing about. But after the other day, I was very aware of the fact that Dakota was a victim of their abuse.
The fury that had spawned on his behalf only seemed to be growing.
I couldn’t even look at the dean without feeling this immense rage start to build. I had to keep my eyes on the top button of his shirt. In addition to everything Dakota had told me, I was pretty sure the dean was also having an affair with his secretary because right as I got here, I saw Ilsa coming out of his office looking pretty mussed; wild hair, glassy eyes, rumpled clothes.
I knew what that meant, and the implication of it was gross. According to everything I’d seen online, the dean was married, and it wasn’t to his fucking secretary.
I stared at his button and lied through my teeth, not feeling an ounce of guilt for lying to this liar. “He’s great. Totally normal. The perfect roommate.”
There was a beat where I thought he’d deny my words, tell me that it was obvious I was lying and to pack my things and leave.
Two beats.
Three.
Then he smiled.
“Wonderful, Mr. Walker. This is wonderful news. I’ll see you in two weeks, same time.”
He turned toward his computer without another word, dismissing me.
I pushed my chair back and stood, a million things bouncing around my mind as I left the office, biting down on my bottom lip to keep me from saying another word.
I stared hard at my shoes as I walked through the outer offices. I really needed to clean them, not that it would make any kind of difference. Nobody would?—
“Oh, hello. You look familiar.”
I raised my head at that distinctive, bored voice, my blood chilling at the sight of Everett walking toward me. His dark hair was slicked back, and he was wearing dress clothes instead of a fencing outfit today. His frigid gaze lowered to my birthmark, his upper lip lifting in brief distaste before he hid it behind a smile full of straight white teeth.
I wasn’t in the mood for this right now. Plus, Dakota had practically begged me to steer clear of him, and after everything he’d confided in me I didn’t trust myself not to beat the shit out of Everett.
But it’s not like I wastryingto bump into him, and I’d be damned if I backed down.
“Sorry, don’t know you,” I said, raising my brows. I wanted to punch that smug smile off his perfect asshole face; instead, I kept walking.
Everett stepped into my path, making me stop short, then prowled closer and lifted his hand like he was about to touch my cheek. I flinched away from him before he could make contact, which made him laugh.
“That’s quite the…mark, isn’t it?” It was a question that didn’t welcome a response, was more of a statement. His eyes flicked to somewhere behind me, then back to mine. “Where are you coming from? In trouble with the dean already?”
“I don’t know why that would be any of your business.” I tried to move past him, but he put a hand on my shoulder and leaned in close.
“I’ll tell you why, if you really want to know.”
His voice in my ear was so repulsive that I shuddered. I smacked his hand off my shoulder and glared up at him. “Hey, buddy? Get the fuck out of my face.”
He drew back and laughed, raising his hand to his cheek. “Oh, you’re fun. No wonder he likes you.” He leaned in again, his eyes gleaming with the most unsettling delight. “I’d sleep with one eye open if I were you, or else my brother might just tear you to pieces, rabid dog that he is.”
Then he turned and walked down the hall, waving without looking back as if he knew I was standing there watching him.
What a fucking piece of shit.
My blood surged like fire in my veins, my ears ringing with the effort not to go after him and attack him like the animal he accused Dakota of being. The beat of my heart was like a jackhammer, pounding inside my chest and echoing in my skull, urging me to release the chaotic energy he’d brought up.
The last ten years of my life had changed me, and not for the better. I was always ready to fight in an instant, adrenaline just waiting for the chance to flood my body and cloud my mind.
I took a deep breath and began counting the frantic beats of my heart, even though that never worked.
The shrill sound of a phone ringing somewhere pulled me back to reality until I realized I was just standing in the middle of a room full of cubicles and desks, staring at the empty hall.
