He studies me for a moment before his smug face turns stony. He pushes off the desk and stalks towards me with furrowed brows. I shuffle backwards until my ass slams against the desk behind me. I clutch my book like my lifeline. He leans forward, close enough to feel heat radiate from his skin, but he doesn’t touch me. Where Zain is unhinged, calculating, and openly deranged, Kieran is a wild card, a manipulator, and utterly reckless. His predatory mask has faltered a few times when Clara comes into play. He’s equally as scary with his devil-may-care attitude.
“What are you wanting to know, Vesper?” His tone comes across more annoyed than angry but still no less confusing.
Now I’m really kicking myself for thinking this was a good idea. I’ve reached a dead end, and this was a last resort. His eyes offer a glimpse at the predator within.
“I just want to understand him. I want him to let me in. Does he have a family? Why is he so closed off?” I ask softly, treading lightly.
His nostrils flare, but he keeps a calm mask. I’m willing to bet that underneath he’s a raging inferno. A hot teakettle ready to explode.
“Understand him?” he says smoothly. “Shit, I’ve known the fucker my whole life and still hardlyknowhim. He hasn’t even let me in. He requires a great deal of patience and persistence.” He clicks his tongue before continuing. “Yeah, he’s got a family he’s estranged from. Not my story to tell, so you’re going to need to ask him that. He’s closed offbecause that’s who he is. He’s been my best friend my entire life. His business is his own. If he wanted you to know, he’d tell you himself. “I swallow. His jaw ticks and his eyes trace over my face with a malignant edge.
“Listen, I’ve known him since primary school. Take a bit of advice. Zain doesn’t do anything that doesn’t benefit his own selfish interest. Run. Leave while you can,” he warns with a grit of a threat. My mouth falls open then shuts again. He sniggers at my hesitance. “It might be too late for that actually. You’ve reached a level of no return,” he states as if he can read me like a book. His eyes skim over me as if he knows something I don’t.
He chuckles and steps back, giving me a reprieve from his suffocating aura. The silence turns oppressive and tense; you could cut a knife with it. So I nod and brush past him, rushing to the exit at such a pace I fail to notice the large form in front of me. Our bodies collide; my books go flying. I fall forward into strong arms.
Those alluring green eyes drag over my body. “We’ve got to stop meeting this way, beautiful,” he chuckles.
Slade.
Unlike last time, he grips my arms and pulls me up with ease before I hit the floor. My books lay at our feet in a messy heap.
“I’m really not this clumsy.” An airy laugh leaves my lips as he bends down to retrieve my books.
He smiles and tucks them neatly into my arms. “Must be fate,” he says smoothly. Before I can get a word in, a loud voice rumbles beside me. “She’s taken, Slade.”
I crank my neck around to see Kieran towering behind me like a guard dog. Since when does he give a crap what I do?
Slade slides his fingers through his tendrils and keeps his eyes trained on Kieran. “We will find out soon enough, won’t we?” His eyes flicker to me, and he winks before continuing farther into the library.
The moment Slade is out of earshot, I spin around. “What was that about?” I hiss.
Kieran shrugs. “Zain would have my ass if I didn’t protect what’s his. And for now, you’re his. That guy is a snake. Stay away from Slade Hexwood,” he warns.
My face scrunches in confusion. “He’s an Elite and your friend,” I say pointedly.
His tongue rolls along his top teeth. “Friends. Rivals. Makes no difference. Just stay away from Slade.” He studies me a moment before pushing through the vaulted doors into the chilly winter night.
I blink a few times and huff out a breath, frustrated I’m left with more questions than answers.
“Ithink Slade Hexwood is waiting for her,” Kieran says vaguely, caressing a brunette sprawled out on his lap. “You need to get her out of your system, bro. I can only keep the others at bay for so long, man.” He runs his hands over her exposed tits.
I grit my teeth and crush the empty beer can between my palms. The Elites lost respect for me a long time ago when I became estranged from my father. Only reason Kieran isn’t shunned is due to being the dean’s son. He still has the ability to sway certain situations and has power the others wish they could hold. Doesn’t bother me, I prefer the isolation of solitude. Not sure how long he feels confident in keeping them pacified.
“I have a plan, though it would be easier to off the fucker,” I chuff, tossing the empty can onto the full kitchen sink.
Kieran’s eyes darken. He pats the brunette’s ass. “Leave.” he says coldly. She pouts in his direction. He removes both of his hands, urging her along. “I said fuck off,” he says more forcefully. He shoves her off his lap when she makes no move to go.
She scurries away at that, and he waits until the front door slams before speaking. “Jesus Christ, Zain. You’re losing grip on reality over this chick. I hope to fuck whatever you’re doing is worth the shit you’reabout to stir up. Jax is already fucking missing.” He shakes his head and gets to his feet. He slams the kitchen chair under the table with force.
I clench my jaw. He doesn’t understand my need for vengeance. I have nothing left to lose. I certainly won’t be telling him I am the one who killed Jax. Part of me figures he already suspects it though. The fucker would never rat me out. “It is to me,” I grind out, pushing off the counter. Kieran heads to the basement to blow off steam.
Make her cry. Threaten them all.
My thoughts echo loudly, refusing to silence.
Quiet!
I tap along the side of my skull until the dull ache subsides.
