Page 56 of Pretty Threats

Her tone isn’t sweet or friendly now. And I don’t like the change. Unless she’s going to shoot me in the head while I sleep, there’s no scenario where she’ll have the ability to stop me from doing anything I decide to do. It’s silly for her to assert otherwise.

The urge to push her to see the obvious truth is right beneath the surface. It would take nothing to unleash the beast that would force her to back down. But there’s something in her eyes I recognize, something she’s never directed at me in this way. It’s angry defiance.

Operation Stockholm Syndrome, I remind myself. Lie and be smooth about it.

“You don’t need to worry.” I don’t manage to make my voice sound friendly, but it sounds neutral at least. “Things are going to be different. I promised, remember?”

Her gaze does a slow perusal of me. “I hope that’s true.”

She starts to turn away, and I add, “But Malenus is your mentor and teacher, so if he propositions you, that’s an abuse of power. That would make him a bad guy.”

Her gaze locks with mine. “You and I have to agree on that, right? On whether someone is a bad guy? That’s what you said.”

“Is it?”

“Yes, it is.” Her small hands fist at her sides. I’m not even sure she knows she’s doing it.

Deep down, I like the fire and want to smother it at the same time. I could spend all week having a good time doing both.

“And, Killian, don’t tell that lie again.”

“What lie?”

“That you’re my boyfriend.” She turns and walks away, missing the look I give her retreating back.

I’ll say whatever I want, especially that, if I think it’ll keep guys from overstepping. If Raine was being logical, she would agree to it, since keeping guys from trying to get with her would keep them from becoming targets.

RAINE

On the campus tour, we were told Columbus Tower basically belongs to the Granthorpe Daily Dispatch. As one of the oldest college newspapers in the country, it’s an institution within the institution and has recently won prestigious awards for reporting. In addition to the Dispatch’s newsroom on the top floor, there are a few small classrooms, offices, and meeting rooms in the tower, along with a sandwich shop and lounge area on the main floor.

Film studies, theatre studies, and literature are all in other buildings, which is why it surprises me that Owen Malenus has decided to borrow a conference room in Columbus Tower for the production meeting.

Killian insists on walking me inside. There’s a lineup for sandwiches at the first floor deli and couches and chairs full of students who are eating or studying between classes. I like the energy immediately.

My knee-high black boots barely make a sound as we cross the tile, which I also prefer. The clickety-clack of my Mary Janes is so conspicuous. I’m glad we stopped at Meredith Hall so I could grab some more of my clothes. The long burgundy skirt and short black sweater give me a boost of confidence.

Getting into the elevator, I say, “Okay, I’ll text when I’m finished. But if you’re busy, don’t worry. I can always take the bus back.”

“No buses. Text me.”

I nod as the door closes.

As I exit the elevator upstairs, Leighton Miller is coming out of the designated conference room. When he sees me, he stops walking and waits for me to reach him.

“Hey,” I say, raising a hand in greeting.

“No Callahan today?”

My pace slows to a stop. When Killian and I met Leighton and Owen, I’m pretty sure we never mentioned Killian’s last name.

“Nope.”

Leighton glances around as if confirming he won’t be overheard. “A word to the wise? Sooner or later, a guy like that will blow up your career. He might have been the best you could do in high school, but with a degree from GU and Owen Malenus’s stamp of approval, you could be golden. Don’t saddle yourself with a liability.”

My eyes widen. “You don’t even know Killian.”

“I know of him. He’s a sex scandal waiting to happen. The way he uses desperate, trashy young women and prostitutes? Indulging his deviance? It’s only a matter of time before someone blackmails him or pictures get leaked, with all that that entails. You don’t want your life tarnished by his taint, do you? Take it from someone who knows the way reputations can get smeared by association.”

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