Page 32 of Cruel Titan

Connor’s fists clench as he stands rigid. He wanted to play the game, so the fault is his. He’s the one who told me all about his dad letting suspended players use other players jerseys so they could play during their suspension. My guess is Coach Means was doing some other shady stuff if he was doing that, and with the Coach Reed investigation, I’m guessing Principal Huntington isn’t taking any chances. I glance to Asher who stands watching with amusement. It’s time to wipe that expression off his face. The bruising on his jaw should make me feel guilty since I know his dad was the cause of it but Asher wants to play dirty, and it’s my turn now. I’d already put my play into motion before Victoria told me what happened between Asher and his dad. Hopefully, this move doesn’t backfire on me.

“As fun as this is, I have to get going. Don’t want to be late for my new internship.” I open the Audi door, looking over my shoulder at Asher. “I wouldn’t want to make a bad impression on my first day at Ruby Flame.”

Every bit of amusement drains out of his face. He looks at me like I’d just kneed him in the balls again. And I couldn’t be more pleased. I cheerfully wave at the two angry faces glaring daggers at me as I drive out of the parking lot.

24

Asher

Watching her drive out of the parking lot, my ears ring as rage threatens to consume me. What the hell is she doing interning for Ruby Flame? And how am I just finding out about it?

Walking to my car, my vision tunnels while adrenaline courses through my body. I’m trying to decide if she is serious or just screwing with me. Would she really do it? That ridiculously stubborn face pops into my mind. Yes. She would.

“You talked me into doing this. I need you to fix it. My dad is losing his job, and they are saying I’ll have to transfer out at the end of the semester,” Connor pleads.

“You knew the play. You shouldn’t have given her leverage. That’s your fault. Not mine.”

“I didn’t mean to tell her. And I never thought she would say anything. It was just a random conversation when I was doing as you asked and screwing with her.”

Tilting my head to the side, I squint at him. “And I told you not to touch her, but you put your hands on her anyways.” He remains tight-lipped, which tells me I don’t want to know anything further because I won’t be able to refrain from beating his ass. He was only supposed to be nice to her, gain her trust. But not. Lay. A finger. On. Her. I have to know. “What else happened between you two?”

“Nothing.” He looks down at his feet as I stand in front of him.

“Tell me.”

He steps in my face—a mistake for anyone—but what he says next is what does him in. “Fine. I kissed her, but that’s it. So call off your bitch and make her fix this.”

My fist balls up as I swing, punching him in the stomach so he doubles over. I should keep going and beat the shit out of him for touching what’s mine, but I need to figure out what she is up to at my dad’s company. “Even if I wanted to control her, I couldn’t.”

She’s made that more than clear. Just when I think I have a grip on her, she turns the tables. This time, she’s playing with a fire that could incinerate us both.

25

Quinn

Meeting Victor Hastings in his home office had been a terrifying and intimidating moment. As nerve-racking an experience as that had been, it had nothing on walking into his office building. This feels like more of a punishment for me than Asher, but it could be a good opportunity to find out something new.

Nathan wasn’t too happy with the decision, but I told him I wanted to obtain as much experience as possible. Victor had mentioned at the fundraiser how Nathan was bragging about how well I was helping and offered the opportunity. I’d originally thought that it was the last thing I’d ever want to do, until Asher pushed. And I know his dad is one of his buttons and might be key in the mystery about mine so I’m calling it a win-win … for now.

At the front desk, I give the smiling receptionist my name and inform her why I’m here. She instructs me to go up to the tenth floor that they will help me out. On the way, I spot a few cameras around the lobby.

Riding the elevator up, I spy another camera and wonder if the building has ten floors for the sole purpose of being two stories taller than Vast Perceptions—in other words, just to outdo Nathan. It’s not more impressive, in fact this office feels harsher as I step off the elevator looking down an endless hallway.

Walking down the corridor, I finally come to the end of it and am stepping around a corner when a lady, speedily typing away without looking to me, barks, “Victor is expecting you. Go on in.”

My eyes instinctively spot the camera in her area as she motions to the door behind her with one hand before resuming her mission. I don’t know what she is typing but she’s getting it done really fast.

Not feeling right about just opening the door, I lightly knock and hear Victor say, “Come in.”

Pushing the heavy door open, I spot Victor sitting at his desk as he waves me in the room. “Come in and have a seat.” Even with his friendly, chirpy voice, I know he’s anything but as I spot bruising along his jawline that mirrors his son’s.

Feeling uneasy, I take a seat in the stiff leather chair. I try not to be obvious, but I’d expected his office to have the best camera of the entire building, but there isn’t one anywhere that I can spot.

“So, what’s your plan?”

My stomach drops, worry spreads through me that he knows about the real reason I’m here. “Excuse me?”

“Your plan … college next? Or do you want to jump right into the corporate world?” Victor reclines, looking at ease, which doesn’t help my nerves all that much.