That’s when the recognition hits me.
Von Campbell, Eudard “Madman” Campbell’s son, who happens to be Rush’s friend.
I find all of Rush’s friends ruthless and rather cruel, but their saving grace is how much they love and adore their families, which should be disturbing because they are all…
Nope, not thinking about my brother’s dark past that resulted in him becoming a part of a society full of vices due to how they choose to extinguish their demons. Still not sure what they do and how, I just know it must be something illegal and dangerous.
I shake his hand. “Hi. Nice to see you again.”
He used to be a professional ice skater before his fatal injury that put an end to his sports career. So he discovered his next passion—drumming—and started a band with his three friends. Last time I checked, they had over five million followers across all socials, and their fans adore them.
What’s not to like, right?
Handsome, wealthy, talented, and kind.
“You too. What are you doing here?” He motions with his head toward the library. “Looking for something to read?”
Gripping my purse tighter while squeezing the muffin bag since his whole gang focuses on me after this question, I nod. “I work here.” His brow shoots up, so I elaborate. “I think we study at the same university, and I volunteer here from time to time.”
“Admirable. Volunteering at this hole filled with dust and desperately bored people is truly worthy of praise,” one of the guys says from behind him, and winks at me when he comes closer. I recognize him as the band’s vocalist. Recently, he made headlines after being caught in the bathroom with two of his groupies, sparking quite a scandal. A few fans even boycotted their recent song. His voice is considered a gift from the gods for its pure yet sinister tone. “What are you majoring in?”
“Mythological studies.”
The vocalist blinks, humor flickering in his gray eyes that match his shoulder-length blond hair so well. “There isn’t much money in that, darling.” He clicks his tongue and scans me from head to toe. “Unless you’re independently wealthy?”
Before I can answer his blunt question, which isn’t that surprising, given his character judging the gossip on social media channels, Von slaps him on the shoulder and pushes him away. “Watch it, Kane.” A warning laces his tone, and his friend raises his hands, backing away, but not before blowing me a kiss. He shifts his attention back to the girls, who give me an awkward wave.
This whole situation is so bizarre that I’m not even sure how I’m supposed to react to it. On most days, everyone either avoids me or pretends I don’t exist because my scars scare them off.
Not to mention my age, having turned thirty when most of them aren’t even twenty also puts the brakes on forming any friendships in college. Not that I blame anyone. Why would teenagers be friends with grown adults?
Even if the said adult got her life frozen at eighteen.
“Let me know if you need any help, Lavender.” Von’s voice brings me back to the situation at hand. “I’m majoring in business but minoring in mythological studies.”
“Why?” Business, I can understand, since his family has a billion-dollar empire and owns a freaking town, but a minor in something that’s not useful in either of his careers seems like a waste of time. He writes the music for their band while Kane is the main lyricist.
“There is a lot to learn from it. Wouldn’t you say?” A half smile tips his mouth. “Gods and goddesses gave us clues about humankind and its greed. It would have been such a waste to forget about all their lessons.”
“Well—” Whatever I want to say next gets interrupted when a loud roaring rings in the air, making the crows hanging on the nearby tree fly up high as another thunder rocks the sky, the environment around us darkening instantly. We both turn our heads toward the road.
My eyes widen as the two men roll their identical motorcycles into the library parking lot, their black machines glistening and showcasing their magnificent design, which must cost a fortune, given how rare they are.
The two riders sit up, turning off the engines and simultaneously throwing their legs over the side. Hopping off, their boots thump soundly on the ground, and matching with another booming thunder, create a sizzling, sinister energy around them that makes it impossible to look away, even though I really want to.
Because no two men have ever confused me more than they have.
They are both tall, probably above six-foot-five, since I have to crank my neck when I’m near them, and the tip of my head barely reaches their shoulders.
Their muscular physiques are wrapped in black leather jackets and T-shirts and jeans, but when they finally remove their helmets, all similarities end, and their differences begin.
My attention focuses on the one on the left as he shakes his dark hair falling below his ears, raking his fingers through it. At the same time, his emerald-green eyes scan the environment as if leaving invisible imprints everywhere, marking his territory and warning everyone not to cross him, for the consequences might be severe.
After all, his family name and temper are legendary, giving him the kind of power that few people possess in this world. However, they all dream of having it.
Intelligent, rich, ruthless, and cunning, with no mercy for the weak, are just a few adjectives describing his character, which, according to rumors, promises to perpetuate the family dynasty as he takes after his great-great-grandfather, who built their empire.
And recently, a rebel for clashing with his father.
