Page 36 of The Claiming

Ali continues. “The girls signed up are your fair cousin Siri and her roomie, Cass.”

Just hearing her voice explodes a surprising energy in my soul and I wonder about that.

“Kennedy James, Abigail Flowerday and Autumn Cavill.”

He drops his phone in his lap and grins. “An interesting selection that may throw up a few challenges.”

“In what way?” Jack asks.

“I mean, what happens if Frankie ends up with his cousin? I would pay to see that.” Ali grins.

The guys laugh and I note the confusion on Jack’s face. “Why would he? From what I understand, you go after the girl that interests you.”

Santi adds. “Not everything is clear in the dark.”

Jack’s eyes narrow. “I get that but–”

Jesse interrupts. “It’s party time.”

A group of girls is heading our way and Jesse calls out, “Hey, come on up, girls. Let’s get this party started.”

We all stand and as we head inside the house, the girls follow us, leaving Ali acting as security for the night. We take it in turns to vet the guests because only the invited get to party with the Elusives and many others attempt to crash the party. One word from any of us has them retreating faster than an angel who wanders into hell because nobody wants to make an enemy of a member of our club. They would be fools to even attempt it.

* * *

The basement is fillingup and Jesse already has some poor unfortunate girl plastered against the wall as he whispers shit in her ear. She is giggling at something he is saying and staring lovingly into his eyes. Jesse is a man whore who practices his craft well. He has been the most vocal critic about The Claiming because he enjoys single life way too much.

My heart sinks when Kennedy and her crew arrive and she wastes no time in targeting Jack, who is too new to know better.

She is flirting outrageously with him until he smiles politely and jerks his head toward the door.

My attention shifts as Cassie and my cousin enter the basement, staring around them with interest, and Jack wastes no time in heading their way.

I note Siri’s reaction as she sees him coming and the interest in the smile she directs his way. Yes, this may end well for me and as expected for her, because Jack will claim Siri in that dungeon and then I’ll make him an offer he would be a fool to refuse.

Cassie is staring at him with an open smile and I hate their relationship. I’m aware they are more like brother and sister, but in my opinion, blood only acts as a barrier when it’s family. Friends is another thing entirely and I am yet to be convinced that theirs is a strictly platonic one.

I’ve seen the way he looks at her and I don’t like it. There is something I’m missing about their relationship and knowing he will be in the same contest with me is an obstacle I could do without. It hasn’t escaped my attention that Cassie is an extremely attractive girl, probably the most attractive one on campus and the other guys in the contest may have already decided that she is their main target, which could end badly for me.

A soft, “Hey, Frankie,” causes my attention to shift and Simone Wilder stands behind me, smiling nervously as I turn to face her.

“Um, well–” She stumbles over her words and I give her no encouragement and merely stare with a closed expression as she attempts to get the words out.

“It’s, um well, The Claiming.” She blushes as she says the word, and I stretch my lips into a wicked grin.

“What about it?”

She shifts a little closer. “Well, I–” She inhales sharply. “Well, I, um, signed up when I heard you were in.”

“Why?” It’s fucking obvious but I enjoy watching people squirm and as she blushes prettily, she whispers, “I was kind of hoping you may be interested in, well–”

It’s pure agony for her to say the words, so I add, “You?”

She nods, a small giggle revealing her relief.

I glance over her shoulder and my eyes meet Cassie’s and rather than look away, she merely shakes her head with an impudent grin as if something is amusing her.

Without returning my attention to Simone, I reach out and slide my hand around her waist and tug her in close, her small gasp of surprise fading into the noise from the music.

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