Page 68 of Pretty Threats

Downstairs? The off-limits area of the house?

“I don’t think so.” Alicia’s voice is loud and high-pitched, and she waves her arm angrily in a dismissive gesture. “He can take me into a bedroom or forget it.”

A flush spreads from Leighton’s neck to his face. His voice is tight when he says to Alicia, “As far as I’m concerned, you can leave.” Turning to us, he says, “What are you guys doing here?”

“We heard there was an after party,” Killian says, glancing toward the doorway on the other side of the kitchen where voices from the other room are coming through.

“No,” Leighton says. “Just a few fraternity brothers getting together for a drink.”

“A drink of what?” Killian says, his gaze flicking to Alicia.

Yuck! I know I told him to play the part of a crude asshole, but when he’s crude as he talks about another girl it makes me want to retch.

A stocky young man who’s around my height steps into the doorway. “Here she is. Come on in,” he says, waving at Alicia. The man wears dark trousers and a polo shirt that’s tight around his biceps and stomach.

Alicia stalks across the floor with her high heels clicking. “Hey, Crosby! Listen, I’m not going down to the basement. I thought that was clear.” She gives him a kiss on the cheek, leaving a bright red smear of lipstick before passing by him.

He gives her a smack on the ass without ever breaking eye contact with me. The hair on the back of my neck stands. I don’t want him near me.

The guy’s gaze shifts to Killian. “And this one, she’s yours, I take it?”

“She is.” Killian didn’t miss a beat on that question.

I don’t contradict their objectification of me because I want Crosby to think I’m Killian’s and off limits. I see now that my original plan was short-sighted. If Killian were free to have sex with other people, that would make me available, too. A feeling of revulsion courses through me.

The Crosby guy licks his fleshy lips and walks slowly across the kitchen. He reminds me of a Sicilian gangster from old movies, except he’s WASPy.

“Yours just for tonight? Or…?” Crosby moves closer to me and looks me over like I’m a lobster he’s choosing for dinner. His hand rises slowly in my direction. I lean back to avoid contact.

Killian’s voice is low and deadly. “Touch her at all, and I’ll kick your face in. Tonight or any other.”

For once, Killian’s brutal jealousy has a positive effect. Crosby laughs like a barking seal and his hand flips up, so it’s cocked at the wrist in a gesture of surrender.

Crosby steps back. “My mistake.” Backpedaling farther, he narrows his eyes at us. “But you made a mistake, too, friend. Only an idiot would bring his girlfriend here.” His eyes shift to Miller, and he says, “Get rid of them.”

Killian’s eyes follow Crosby as he turns and leaves the kitchen.

Leighton shakes his head, looking almost apologetic. “It’s a private party. Sorry for the confusion.”

Killian opens the back door.

“How many men are here tonight?” I ask, staring in the direction of the voices.

I wonder if Alicia realized there would be several of them, rather than just one. Of course, I don’t know how many of them plan to have sex with her. Maybe there are more prostitutes coming or already in the other room.

“Just go.” Leighton pulls the door open wider and gestures for us to leave.

I frown but have to concede that this is none of my business. They’re all adults.

Stepping out into the chilly air, I wonder how Alicia ended up selling her body. Almost all the St. Seb’s kids go on to college, many to prestigious schools. I’m sure losing her father’s income was difficult, since he was a doctor, but she certainly could’ve gotten loans if her mother’s salary wasn’t enough to pay for school.

Killian pulls me along with him at a brisk pace as our breath fogs the air.

“Are you cold, Killian? I can give you your coat back. I have my wrap.”

He shakes his head as we round the corner and walk along the side of the house.

“Do you think she’ll be all right? Alicia didn’t seem worried, but she might not know all that’s in store for her. From the sounds of it, there might be a lot of guys in the front of the house.”

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