What stings the most isn’t the kiss, or that my father only cares right now because it pertains to Alex. But because Alex already has everything. The name, the praise. The acceptance.
Sam was mine. She hates me and I her, but that relationship was mine. Our history—our connection—is twisted, toxic, and half-drowned in silence, but it belonged to me. It was something unfiltered, the one thing I had that no one else did.
But now, it seems Alex has that, too.
“Why am I here?” I bite out. “What does my past with Sam have to do with you?”
“I don’t know where your little relationship with her stands, but I need you to watch her.” He leans back in his chair, his elbows resting on the armrest, his fingers intertwined.
I frown, I’m more curious now than when I came in here.
“Watch her?” My voice cuts through the room.
What could she possibly have done to put her on his watch list?
Is it because of what happened to Jackson? Or something else entirely?
I frown, more curious now than I was when I walked in here. “You’re serious.”
“She’s digging,” he says. “Into things that don’t concern her. And dragging Alex into it.”
“I’m not doing this,” I snap and push up from my seat. “If you think I’m going to clean up your mess—”
“Son.”
I dart my gaze to him, completely caught off guard.Son?How fucking dare he? In all this time, he’s never addressed me as such, but now that he needs something from me, now that Alex has got himself caught up with Sam, I’m his son.
I lean in, my voice dropping to a growl.
“Don’t call me your son just because you’ve run out of ways to control Alex. You want him away from Sam? Figure that shit out yourself. But whatever you do, keep me out of it.”
I turn to exit, still seething at the audacity.
“Your mother’s care is expensive. I’d hate to see anything interfere with that,” he says, staring as if he just handed me a deal and not a threat.
My vision goes red, and I lunge forward, my fist cocked and ready to send it straight through his smug face.
“Don’t be stupid, Everest.” He shoots up, standing his ground. “You want the money? Do this and your mother’s treatment will be covered in full by tomorrow.”
He knows the exact strings to pull to keep me in check. Bastard. As much as I want to walk out right now, and tell him where he can shove it, I don’t.
“What do I need to do?” I snarl.
“Watch the harlot and keep her away from your brother. Find out what she’s after, and dead it.”
“How do you even know that she’s been looking for something? What if you’re—”
“I have eyes all over this campus.”
I stare at him, trying to process all that’s he’s said. What is Sam involved in?
“How am I supposed to do that when you won’t tell me what I’m supposed to be looking for? She and I aren’t exactly friends.”
“You’re smart.” He shrugs. “Handsome. I’m sure you can find ways to convince her.”
“Trying to pimp me out?”
“Whatever it takes.” He breathes out. “She’s already made a mess with Kincaid, and I’ve protected her. But if she starts digging in the wrong places, it won’t end well for her.”
