CHAPTER 1
VIXEN
Power ballads streamed in my car. I sang along as I drove to where I swore I’d never go back.
Forest Grove.
The GPS lady blurted out something about reaching my destination in forty-five minutes, interrupting my out-of-tune performance. I’d forgotten about her for the past half hour or so. Once I’d reached the ice cold city, I knew the way to the university on my own.
I was born, raised and educated here. And for twenty-four years, I loved my hometown. Until I’d been left at the altar by the douche twat I once called my college sweetheart.
I reached for my thermos and took a big gulp of coffee, drowning the memory and the humiliation associated with it. I had to stay focused. I was here on a task.
Slow, sweet revenge.
My plan to achieve it started with nailing the interview I was heading to. In less than an hour I’d be meeting with Professor Pattison, winning that interview, and he would be telling that old fart Russell I was his new rival to the Head of Department chair.
I couldn’t wait to see the look in the douche’s eyes when the news punched him in the tiny dick. My lips pressed on a smile, and then it turned into a villainous nyahaha—BOOM—ha?
A gasp flew out of my throat as the car swerved. I barely managed to steer it to the side road. The dashboard went dark. Nothing was moving anymore.
“No no no no. What the hell just happened?” I stared at the dead dashboard like an idiot, trying to restart the car in vain. “You can’t do this to me. Not today. Not now.”
After a couple more failures with the ignition, I figured this was a lost cause. My eyes closed for a moment. “Okay. Deep breaths. Deeeep breaths.”
I tilted my head back on the headrest and glanced at my watch. 11:27 a.m. I still had thirty-three minutes before the interview.
Grabbing my phone from my purse, I surveyed the open road, but no cars were there. I put on my coat and climbed out of the Ford, calling Triple A. The mid-November cold hit me straight in the bones. I looked from the gray sky down to the left tire.Here is what caused the mysterious boom.
The shitty thing burst, but that wouldn’t cause the car to die. I explained the situation to the agent on the phone. She said they would be here in an hour.
Of course.
I rolled my eyes at the dreary sky, swearing in my head, but managed to thank her. The poor woman had nothing to do with my luck.
I thought about calling Malcolm, but I hadn’t told him I was in town yet. The plan was to get the job first, and then show up at our old place with an amiableI’m home. Surprise, surprise,big brother.
Besides, I didn’t even know if he was home or doing another tour. Since he’d enlisted, we barely talked. Huffing, I leaned against the door and called an Uber.
42 MIN ETA.
“Seriously?” I snarled, looking around at the vacant road. “How is that even possible? What the hell is wrong with this godforsaken town?”
I shoved the phone in my pocket, my long hair now lashing my face. I popped the trunk open. My heels clacked on the asphalt as I reached it. I dove in, bracing myself for the Herculean task of changing a tire. In a pencil skirt suit.
But even if I miraculously succeeded, how was I supposed to fix the car itself? I was a Psychology professor, not a mechanic.
I glanced at my watch again. 11:41.
I slammed the trunk shut, blood pounding my skull. Even if I ran to the university, I wouldn’t make it on time.
When I’d received the call from Professor Pattison offering me this opportunity, I didn’t think twice. Yes, it felt good that my former teacher saw my potential and wanted me to be his successor. But what felt awesome was the chance to have my revenge. I’d kill to get Professor Pattison’s position, not only for the prestige, but for making my ex’s life a living hell as his new boss.
In spite of my past vow and instincts, I arrived in Forest Grove knowing I had made the right decision. But now…“Everything is ruined BECAUSE OF A STUPID CA—”
“Need some help?” a deep voice asked from behind me.
Shout stuck in my throat, I jumped, twisting, intending to glare at the creep that scared the shit out of me, but stopped short.
