Текст книги "Vicious secrets"
Автор книги: Morgan Bridges
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Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 18 страниц)
Chapter 6XAVIER
Sophomore Year
The acrid smell of herbs and chemicals wafts under my nose as I walk into the classroom. Behind me are the other recruits, all of us a year older, a year deeper into the clutches of the Order.
The fluorescent lights above cast sinister shadows on the array of equipment set up on the lab tables that line the sides of the room. Traditional wooden desks take up the center and the majority of the space.
I slide into one in the back row. Declan sits next to me, followed by Benjamin on my right. Being flanked by the two of them is a little surprising, but not unwelcome. Although I prefer to work alone, allies are good to have in a den of vipers.
The professor watches all the students from behind his desk, facing us. Ames, ruler of the media empire, is renowned for his ruthlessness but also his brilliance. If you want to learn how to kill someone with the greatest stealth, leaving no trace behind, he’s the one to go to.
“Hurry the fuck up and sit your asses down,” he snaps. “You have a lot to learn, and my job is to make sure you don’t kill yourselves in the process.”
Though slight in build, Ames makes up for it in presence. It looms from where he stands, like an aura composed of darkness. From his charcoal three-piece suit—clearly custom fit—to the polished oxford shoes on his feet, this man screams wealth. Along with Ames’s obvious refinement is his sharp gaze that pierces deeper than any blade, digging past pretenses to the vulnerability underneath.
Long story short: he’s not to be fucked with.
Even his silence feels weaponized, similar to his words. “There are three things in life that can get you killed. What are they?”
Declan folds his arms. “Poison.”
“Right.” Ames nods. “Now, someone give me an answer that’s not obvious.”
“Power,” Eric calls out. “Not mine, but someone else’s.”
“Wrong p-word,” Ames says. “They are poison, pistols, and pussy.”
Adam Shipley, heir to the real estate empire, smirks. “Then I’ll die happy.”
“Get the fuck out.” Ames tilts his head when the student remains still. “Are you deaf and stupid?”
“Come on, professor,” Adam says. “It was just a joke.”
Ames walks from behind his desk and over to the door. After jerking it open, he gestures out to the hallway. “Don’t come back until you’re ready to listen without some smart-ass remark. This class is life or death, so the right attitude is a prerequisite.”
Adam mumbles to himself as he makes his way from the classroom with all of our stares following him out. Ames slams the door shut and resumes his place at the front of the room, leaning against his desk with his arms folded.
This man is used to commanding fear and respect. We have no choice but to give it to him if we want to gain the crucial but lethal knowledge locked behind his calculating eyes. After that, he won’t hold any power over me.
Ames clears his throat. “If I’m to keep your young, ignorant asses alive, I need you to learn that what I say is to be taken seriously. Pussy has led to more deaths than you’ll ever know. Women are the enemy just as much as anyone outside of the Order.”
He begins to walk around the room, down the aisles, with his hands behind his back. “Imagine you just fucked the most beautiful woman to exist. She sucked your dick so well that you almost nutted on her face. Instead, by some miracle, you busted a nut inside her tight, warm pussy. So you’re lying there, limp and exhausted, and she whispers a single question. You know better than to answer, but you do because your guard is down.”
He slams his fist on Eric’s desk, making him flinch. I school my features to hide my amusement. Ames goes back to walking.
“That bitch will tell your secret because there’s always someone willing to pay for classified information. And that divulgence will get you strung up by your balls,” he says. “The Order doesn’t care if you marry her or if you just like to fuck her. Secrets are meant to be kept secret.”
He pauses, his gaze taking on a distant look. “Love is a poison of the heart. Remember that, and maybe you’ll survive.”
Delilah: Hey, where have you been? I haven’t heard from you much these past weeks
Ben: Yeah, the exams are brutal. Everything okay with you and the littles?
Delilah: Emily and Sandra have grown so much. I think they’ll reach my height soon. When you come visit, you’ll see for yourself.
Ben: I might not be able to come home for Christmas.
Delilah: What?!
Ben: Things at school are a lot. I just can’t right now.
Delilah: Spring break then? That’s a long time. 😔
Ben: I know. Tell me how you’re doing.
Delilah: Fine.
Ben: Don’t be like that. Come on, Lilah.
Delilah: I think something’s wrong with me.
Ben: I’ve always known that. 😉
Delilah: No, I’m serious.
Ben: What do you mean?
Delilah: Well, I kissed this guy at school and things were going great, but now they’re not.
Ben: I don’t know if I want to hear this.
Delilah: I know all about the girls you slept with in high school, so don’t be a hypocrite. Anyway, I thought this guy was going to ask me out, and now he won’t even look at me. No, that’s not true. He does, but it’s like I’m the ugliest, most scary thing he’s ever seen.
Ben: You’re crazy.
Delilah: True, but that’s why you love me. What am I supposed to do?
Ben: Did you have sex with him?
Delilah: No, but I thought about it. Good thing I didn’t.
Ben: Guys are assholes. Save your virginity for someone who deserves it.
Delilah: It’s not a big deal.
Ben: Value yourself enough to think it is. Don’t let your biological mother giving you up be the lens in which you view your self-worth.
Delilah: Okay, Dr. Phil. Calm down.
Ben: I’m serious. You deserve someone who will respect you. Not just use your body.
Delilah: At this point, I’ll die a virgin.
Ben: Don’t be dramatic.
Delilah: Maybe I’ll be a theater major when I go to your fancy college.
Ben: If that makes you happy.
Delilah: I’m just kidding. You know I want to be a psych major. Anyway, are you sure there’s nothing wrong with me?
Ben: You’re perfect.
Delilah: You’re ridiculous. But thank you. Xoxo
Ben: Oxox
Delilah: Cowcow
Ben: Lol. Never change.
Delilah: I won’t.
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Chapter 7XAVIER
Junior Year
“The rules for this exercise are simple,” the combat instructor says, his eyes gleaming with the promise of upcoming violence. “Fight until one of you taps out or loses consciousness. Injuries are expected, but don’t cause your opponent permanent damage. Other than that, there are no restrictions. Donovan and Gage, you’re up first.”
I walk over to the mats in the center of the training facility and fold my arms, maintaining my bored expression. Eric, on the other hand, cranes his neck from side to side and stretches his arms above his head. I understand that we’re primal at our core, ready to inflict pain at a moment’s notice, but his show of prowess is unnecessary.
I’m going to beat the fuck out of him.
Eric sizes me up with a grin, his teeth bared, covering his face in a sadistic veil. It’s not a secret that he looks for every opportunity to fight me since I threw that knife at him. As recruits of the Obsidian Order, we are under strict rules not to harm one another unless given permission. If it weren’t for that, he would’ve already tried to kill me.
Tried being the operative word.
“Begin!”
Eric launches himself at me before the final syllable leaves the instructor’s mouth. I use a hip toss to throw him onto the mats. He hits the floor with a thud. The other recruits begin to mutter amongst themselves, and the sound of their whispers has Eric’s eyes glittering with malice.
He’s quick to recover, getting to his feet in the blink of an eye. I reluctantly admire his speed. That, along with his other skills, have only improved since our training began two years ago.
But so have mine.
His embarrassment at having been tossed on his ass has the sides of his neck reddening. I wait for him to charge again. It doesn’t take long.
I catch him with a brutal hit to the forehead, my elbow splitting the skin above his eyebrow. Blood drips down his face. From my peripheral, I catch the instructor nodding in approval. Too bad I don’t need it.
Eric may not be the most intelligent guy in the room, but he doesn’t lack tenacity. Again, he comes after me. We trade blows back and forth, our grunts and curses drowning out the jeering of our peers.
I sweep my leg out and knock him off his feet. Taking advantage of his position, I lunge at him, throwing all of my weight onto his frame. We are both over six feet tall, our bodies toned with muscle from our unrelenting training. Subduing him won’t be easy.
Eric thrashes wildly, his adrenaline and fury getting the best of him. Without his ability to think rationally, he puts himself right into my hands. I head-butt him, directly on the cut already bleeding.
Blood gushes from his wound as he groans with pain. The wet, sticky texture of his blood coats my skin, but I ignore it in favor of ending this altercation. Pressing my forearm against his throat and keeping it there takes every ounce of energy I possess.
Eric’s fist connects with my jaw. My head snaps back, but I maintain the pressure on his neck, straining to remain in control of the fight. His wild movements lessen in intensity until he’s no longer moving.
“Release him, Donovan!” the instructor barks.
I retract my arm and get to my feet. The blow to my face has me blinking to correct my blurry vision. Damn, that fucker hit me hard. Only now am I feeling the effects of the strike.
After using the bottom of my black t-shirt to wipe away the blood on my face, I head over to the group of recruits. Declan is there with his brow arched in question. I nod, letting him know I’m good.
“Next time, make sure you don’t get punched in the face,” Benjamin says.
“Next time, shut the fuck up.”
He grins at me, and I return it with a smirk.
The instructor walks up to Eric’s body and kicks him in the leg. “Wake up, asshole.”
Eric groans as consciousness returns. He squints before rolling onto his hands and knees. Once on his feet, he scans the room until he locates me. I meet his stare head-on with cool indifference.
His nostrils flare, eyes blazing with something beyond rage. He narrows his gaze until it’s little more than slits. The look promises retribution.
I break eye contact by turning my head, a clear dismissal. Of his threats. And of him.
Eric Gage can go fuck himself. I have more important things to think about.
Viridian eyes that invade my dreams and tease me relentlessly come to mind. My obsession over Delilah didn’t end the night she stabbed me. In fact, it’s only gotten worse. Professor Ames is right: emotion is a poison of the heart.
When it comes to Delilah, I’m terminal.
For the last two years, I’ve been watching over my girl. And keeping anyone else from having her. It hasn’t been easy. Sneaking away to be near her without my father’s suspicions following me is hard enough, but keeping other men from wanting her? Nearly impossible.
If Delilah thinks she’s going to have a boyfriend, much less give him her virginity, she’s got another fucking thing coming.
Her kiss is mine to taste.
Her body is mine to touch.
Her innocence is mine to own.
The instructor draws my attention by clapping sharply. “Donovan gave a textbook demonstration of MMA techniques combined with strength training. The rest of you losers should take notes.” He shifts his focus to Eric. “Gage, go and get cleaned up. You’re bleeding all over my floor.”
“Sure thing,” Eric says, spitting on the mats.
The other recruits part to let him pass. Eric strides through the group, shouldering a few of them before leaving the room. Good fucking riddance.
The instructor points to Benjamin and John Felton, heir to the finance and banking empire. The newcomer—who’s not so new anymore—takes his spot on the mats with his knees bent and arms resting lightly by his sides.
At least this time I don’t have to worry about him getting killed.
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Chapter 8DELILAH
Delilah: Can we FaceTime? The girls really want to see you since it’s been a long time (hint hint)
Ben: I’m really busy studying.
Delilah: Come on! You never visit anymore, and you hardly call. I can handle you ignoring me, but the girls don’t understand. They still need their older brother. I know I do. Gloria is nice and all, but it’s not the same
Ben: Give me a second
Isink onto my bed and stare at the cell phone with my heart thrashing in my chest. Maybe I don’t fully understand what it takes to be an honor student at South Harbor University, but Ben makes it seem like a black hole that sucks you in and kills your social life. If I have to make excuses to the girls on his behalf one more time, I think I’m going to go crazy.
Ben better call. That’s all I’m saying.
My cell phone rings, and I immediately answer, setting it on a stand. Surrounded by shelves of books in a library, my foster brother comes into view.
Same blonde hair and blue eyes, but his smile isn’t as light and carefree. There’s also a tightness around his jaw that wasn’t there before.
Along with a fist-sized bruise.
“Who’s the fucking cockwaffle that hit you?!” My voice isn’t exactly a screech, but it’s close. I take a deep breath and try to speak more calmly. “I hope you kicked his ass.”
Ben shakes his head with a small smile. “Hello to you too, Delilah. Some preppy asshole thinking we had a problem. And now we don’t. How are you?”
“Currently, I’m pissed that you’re hurt. I can’t believe someone would do that. I thought those people had class.”
“Money doesn’t change what’s inside a person. If anything, it exposes who they are. Why don’t you tell me how you’re doing?”
I shrug. “Same old, same old.”
“In my experience, no news is good news.”
“True. Things are calm here, which is wonderful.” I pause, biting my lip while trying to gather my words. “The girls are going to be really sad if you don’t come for the holidays again.”
“I’ll do my best, but I can’t make any promises. My schedule is… uncertain right now.”
I scrunch my forehead in confusion. “That doesn’t make any sense. You know what classes you have and when.”
“That’s not what I mean. I don’t know what’ll be expected of me and how much time it’ll take.”
“Okay,” I say, drawing out the word. “If you say so.”
“Just drop it, all right?”
I fold my arms over my chest, trying to ignore the hurt seeping into my chest. “Fine.”
Ben sighs and rakes his fingers through his hair. The lights above him catch and reflect something shiny on the screen. I squint and get closer to my phone.
“What’s that?” I ask.
“Huh?” He drops his arm, holding his hand in front of his face. “Oh, this is nothing.”
“Nothing? That looks like a gold ring. Unless you're slowly turning into a rapper, I need to know where that bling came from.”
Ben’s lips twitch. “A rapper?”
“We’re from the rough neighborhood. For all I know, you could be the next Eminem. Show it to me.”
He pauses. It’s slight, but in our relationship, his hesitation is like a bullhorn. I blink at the screen in disbelief.
“It’s not a big deal.” He lifts his hand, positioning the ring in the center of the screen. “See?”
I run my gaze over the golden object, my eyes widening. On the ring’s oval face is a raised anchor with an “M” engraved above it. The arms of the anchor extend outward, completely surrounded by ornate filigree to add to the overall antique look. Not to mention the diamonds lining the entire thing.
“Are those real?” I ask.
Ben drops his hand and nods.
“And what is the “M” for? Your last name is Johnson.” I roll my eyes. “Oh, duh. It’s for a fraternity, isn’t it?”
His gaze darts to the side before meeting mine. “Yeah.”
“Have you been hiding this for years?” My voice rises, along with my sense of betrayal. “Why didn’t you want to tell me? I know we used to make fun of preppy people like that, but let’s face it. We wished we were them. You’re family, and I’d never judge you.”
“I know. It’s just that this group is intense. And like you said, we used to make fun of rich, privileged kids who wiped their asses with hundred-dollar bills. But when you hang out with them… I don’t know. It’s different.”
I wave a hand in dismissal. “As long as you don’t become a prick, I don’t care what fraternity you’re in. Hell, I might join a sorority when I go to college.”
“Are you still thinking of coming here?”
“Of course.” I narrow my gaze in suspicion. “Why wouldn’t I?”
He shakes his head. “I just don’t want you to get your hopes up. That’s all.”
“I’m not going to be valedictorian, but I will graduate with honors, Ben. I’m going to get into South Harbor. End of story.”
“Okay, okay. Forget I said anything. Where are the girls? I need to go soon, and I don’t want to miss seeing them.”
I sigh. “Right. Before I go downstairs and get them, I want you to promise me something.”
“What?”
“Don’t let that fancy-smancy college change you too much, okay? I want my Ben to still be there when you graduate.”
He stares off into the distance, his gaze becoming unfocused. “Change isn’t something we can stop, Lilah. We age, grow, learn, achieve. These experiences mold us, whether we want them to or not.” He clears his throat and looks at me with a sad smile. “I’ll always care about you. That will never change.”
“Right back at you. Besides, everything will be great when we’re together again. Only one more year.”
“You’re growing up faster than I can handle.”
“You just wait until I’m a legal adult.”
He shakes his head. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
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Chapter 9XAVIER
Senior Year
The Present
“I have a favor to ask you,” Benjamin says without looking at me.
He lowers his voice to barely above a whisper despite it being just the two of us in the room. When he flicks his gaze to me, there’s something deep and intense in his eyes.
Something that can only be triggered by a girl.
“It’s personal.”
I shove him with a laugh, attempting to deflect. “No, you can’t suck my dick. I thought I made that clear freshman year when I saved your ass in the dungeon.”
His mouth thins. “I’m serious, X. This is important.”
“I know.” My stomach clenches with foreboding. “Something’s been up with you for a while now.”
Benjamin walks over to the window and folds his arms over his chest. “I don’t know if I should ask you this, but I don’t know who else I can trust.”
He falls silent. I leave him to his internal debate. Benjamin will say what’s on his mind if he’s given a moment to think on how to say it correctly. The problem is that I don’t want to fucking hear it.
With a quiet exhale, I drop into a chair and cross my ankle over my thigh. And wait. I run my gaze over the space, taking in the details to soothe my impatience.
The castle that houses the fraternity’s members is a clash of present and ancient times. Sconces have been replaced with light fixtures and wiring. The towering ceiling, arched window, and hand-carved crown molding co-exist with the modern upgrades found in the furniture and the en suite bathroom, but the space maintains its air of grandeur.
We, along with those that came before us, are the elite, and we live like it.
Above the massive fireplace is a crest of the Obsidian Order. At the center is a crow with its wings outstretched in mid-flight, symbolizing the guild’s intelligence, its air of mystery, and—of course—its connection with death. Any recruit still standing at the end of the Trials will be called a crow instead of a recruit.
We’re down to nine.
Finally, Benjamin takes a deep breath as if gathering his courage. I force myself to remain still, although the subject is of great interest to me. Even after all of these years together, Benjamin has never mentioned Delilah, but I’ve been anticipating this conversation for a while.
“There’s a girl who’s coming to the university this year,” he says. “Delilah Scott.”
I shrug, my nonchalance completely at odds with the way my blood heats at merely hearing her name. “And?”
“I’ve been summoned.”
Benjamin takes up the chair across from me, resting his forearms on the table while clasping his hands. He stares at his fingers as though imagining blood on them. Considering he’s going to kill someone soon, it’s a distinct possibility.
“Your first time?” I ask.
He drops his gaze and nods. “Yeah. What about you?”
“I’ve been summoned several times.”
“Damn.”
“It’s part of the oath we took.” I tilt my head. “Speaking of, which part of ‘celibacy for a year’ did you not understand?”
Benjamin squeezes his hands until his skin blanches. “My relationship with her isn’t like that.”
“But you want it to be.” It’s a statement, not a question.
“I’m not going to break my oath.”
“Good.” I raise a brow. “The Order puts more importance on our final year than any other. It's the first time we’re sent on missions and the reason we have to be celibate all senior year. They don’t want us thinking with our dicks and fucking things up. If you know that, then why are you mentioning this girl?”
Benjamin jerks up his head and his gaze shoots to mine. “She’s important. More than anything else in my life.”
“Dangerous words.” The very ones I’ve spoken to myself in the dark hours when it’s just me and my thoughts of Delilah. “No one is worth the risk.”
“She is.”
I couldn’t agree more.
“Why?” I ask.
“She’s family.”
“Your lineage can be traced back to the Mayflower, and she isn’t part of it.”
Benjamin shakes his head. “We’re not related by blood, but she’s…”
“Like a sister?”
He slowly nods, but his hesitation speaks of things he wants to deny. Or keep secret. It doesn’t matter. She’ll never be his.
I’ll kill him first.
“Why are you telling me about her now?” I ask.
“You know every summons is different. I have no idea how long I’ll be gone. It will be easier for me to concentrate if I know you’re watching over her.”
I’ve been watching over her for three fucking years. Within a few days, she’ll be the closest she’s ever been, and I’ll struggle to maintain my distance more than ever.
“Why me?” I ask.
“You’re the only one I trust to look after Delilah while I’m gone.”
The air becomes charged with unspoken thoughts. Her name holds a significance that neither of us is willing to admit out loud. Although a delicate thread, this woman binds us together.
“Will you help me?” he asks. His eyes reflect a mixture of desperation and pleading. “I have to know before I leave.”
“Yeah, sure.”
Benjamin exhales and runs his fingers through his hair. “Thank you, X. This means more than you know.”
Yes, yes it does. It means I’ll be around her, breathing in her scent and watching her from the shadows, doing my best not to touch her despite being willing to kill for the chance.
“Do you have a picture of her?” I ask, my lips lifting into a smirk. “It might help.”
Benjamin releases a nervous laugh and retrieves his cell phone. After a few seconds, he hands me the object. I take it, and my breathing stops. My objective to display casual indifference is shattered by the image of her.
Delilah’s beauty is captured in a single frame, a brief second in time that will haunt me for eternity. The gentle curve of her smile. The way her green eyes glitter with happiness. The softness of her skin taunting me.
I swear I’m going to lose my fucking mind over a group of pixels.
“Pretty, isn’t she?” Benjamin remarks without dampening the pride and affection in his voice.
I scoff. “She’s fucking gorgeous.” It takes a huge amount of effort to tear my gaze away from the screen and hand the phone back to him. “But you knew that’d be my reaction when you asked me to look out for her. You also know our oath prevents me from fucking her.”
He narrows his gaze. “Not just our oath, but our friendship.”
“That too.”
I grin at him, concealing the maelstrom of violence churning in my chest. The complexities of this situation will only intensify as I navigate the thin line between duty and desire. Between my oath and my obsession.
The tightness in his shoulders eases, as does the tension around his eyes. But they don’t disappear completely. “The Order can’t find out about her.”
“No shit.”
“I’m fucking serious, X. If they knew what she meant to me…” He scrubs his mouth with his hand. “I’ve seen what they’re willing to do to keep members from refusing their orders. I won’t let them hurt Delilah, but I don’t know how to stop them if they were to discover her.”
My blood ices over at the thought. “You can’t.”
“That’s why it’s important to keep them from noticing her. It’s the reason I’ve never told you about her until now.”
“I get it. But to be clear, that’s not a long-term strategy.”
Unlike mine. For years, I’ve weighed all the risks and considered every possible outcome. The reward is worth it.
She is worth it.
I will have Delilah.
Even if it means I have to kill my father first.
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