I nod. But when I go to leave, Atticus blocks my way. He peers into my eyes like a doctor would at a routine check-up. “Unilateral mydriasis,” he murmurs. “And subconjunctival hemorrhage. How’s your head?”
“It’s killing me,” I admit. I wait while he studies me. I’m used to him doing this after fights, to make sure I don’t have a concussion. I owe my life to him. He’s healed me up more than once.
“Your fiancée is poisoning you.”
“I know,” I grit out. “I can’t figure out how she’s doing it.” I refuse to eat or drink anything she offers me.
“Can’t or don’t want to?”
I grunt.
“Recreational drugs are a poison,” Atticus muses. “One that the victim craves. Get me samples of anything you suspect, and I’ll test them for you.”
“Will do.”
He nods and steps back. “Good luck, man.” He shakes his head, smirking.
I head back up to Bella.
She’s still stretched out on the couch, sleeping like a baby. She looks so peaceful, but she’s responsible for all the drama tonight. People could’ve been killed. Some were hurt—a few guards and club attendants when the Saints broke in. It’s a miracle that no one died.
So much mayhem, and she’s oblivious.
She’s in big trouble.
I thought I could get her under control.
I’m not one to admit defeat, but she’s chaos. Like weeds in the garden or an untamed jungle. You try to beat the wildness back, but nature always wins.
I don’t want to tame the wildness. I don’t want to break her to my will. I want her to be chaos. I want her to be free.
For the first time in my life, I’ve met my match. Because I would rather die than hurt her.
She wants to fight me? Fine. I’m always the last one standing.
But, for the first time, I want to lose.
Bella
* * *
The days after Pandemonium are quiet. Kaiser watches me closely. He finally gave in and fucked me. I’m sore but feeling good.
He doesn’t fuck me again, but he does touch me nonstop when we’re together. My plan is working. The poison is setting in.
I’m feeling like a real supervillain when it’s time for me to go to class. Summer orientation is kind of boring right now. They’re talking about sorting us into different Houses. Blah blah blah, mafia alliances, blah blah. I’m up to my ears in mafia alliances already. I can’t focus on the Vesuvios and figuring out who framed my father until I’ve dealt with Fraternitas, so I’m only half listening as I look for Honey. She’s not always able to sit with me; the professor pulls her up to help him with special projects. Today she’s in the back, though. When I crane my neck and catch her eye, she gives me a grimace and looks away.
That’s my first sign that something’s wrong. But I don’t think much of it because I can be clueless about these sorts of things.
After class, I wait for her in our usual spot in the library. Typically, Raine finds me here, but there’s no sign of her.
Finally, Honey comes in, drops her bag, and slumps down. She doesn’t look happy to be here. What’s going on?
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“I’m fine,” she says in a clipped way that tells me she’s really not. “I’ve been banned from Club Empire. For life. As well as all Fraternitas properties.”
“What? Why?”
