Page 46 of The Ruthless Rivalry

I scan the beach again, hoping to catch a glimpse of Alex’s familiar silhouette against the flickering firelight. Nothing.

“Would you relax? What’s up with you? You’ve been acting as moody as Bishop since we got here,” Cam says, having enough of my restlessness.

Bishop glares at Cam, but doesn’t bother responding to the jab. I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant.

I casually inform the group, “I invited Alex.”

Cam chokes on his drink, and a concerned freshman rushes over to offer him some water. After taking a few sips, he asks me in a raspy voice, “Why the hell would you do that? She’s going to think she belongs here with us.”

My sister mutters beside me, “Sounds like something we’ve dealt with before.” She was referring to Ophelia, and fromthe scowl on her face, it was clear she’d overheard Sutton’s comment. But she did the smart thing, biting her tongue and staying quiet.

“I’m just playing my part, still trying to get info out of her.”

Cam’s expression turns smug. “Ohhh, I get it. You finally listened to me and hooked up with her, huh?”

I hesitate, and my twin catches it. “Is that true? Did you get with Alex?”

I notice Bishop lift his eyes, though not his chin, showing the barest of interest in the conversation for the first time all evening. Ophelia, sensing his shift at the mention of Alex, tries to inch closer to him, but he shrugs her off without so much as a glance.

I watch the uncaring dismissal unfold, but chalk it up to my friend still being pissed about what Ophelia did earlier this morning in their class. The buzz around campus has been nonstop ever since. Ophelia probably loved the extra attention, whereas the rest of us just tolerate her. It’s why Bishop’s put up with her for so long. She knew how to listen and usually stayed out of our business. At least, that used to be true. Guess not so much anymore.

“Yeah? Have you?” Bishop insists when I don’t respond immediately. There’s an underlying tension in his voice that I can’t quite decipher.

I hesitate. What Alex mentioned the other night repeats in my head. Was she right? Do we really all just rally around Bishop and do as he asks?

“She still refuses to participate in the games.” There. That should be enough to appease him. He’s been acting weird tonight anyway.

“But you haven’t fucked her? Haven’t touched her?” he presses, not letting go of a conversation I didn’t feel like continuing.

My mouth turns down. “Since when do you care?”

“I don’t. But I need you to think more with the brain in your head and less with the one between your legs.”

I raise an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Funny…I’ve never heard a single complaint about the one between my legs.”

“Maybe that’s the problem.” His voice is low but still clear enough for me to catch, his words laced with something sharp and frustrated.

“I’m being strategic,” I say evenly, barely holding my tongue. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”

I notice Bishop’s muscles along his chest and arms tense, but he doesn’t say anything more. Instead, he just takes a long sip of his drink, his gaze flicking across the flames, as if pretending the conversation hadn’t stirred something in him.

Ophelia, sensing the lull, leans forward with a slow smile. “You know,” she starts, “I for one think it’s a great idea. Youhelpher, we get information. It’s a win-win for the group.”

Cam snorts from the opposite side of the fire. “Yeah, Ophelia, I’m sure that’s the only reason you want this,” he says, flicking his eyes over at Bishop. “And I’m sure it has nothing to do with that little jealous streak you’ve got running. Remember when you nearly slapped that girl in the hall last week because you thought she was standing too close to Bishop? Real team player energy there.”

Ophelia’s jaw flexes, but she doesn’t respond right away, her eyes thinning just enough for everyone to notice.

“And don’t say it’s a win-win for our group,” Sutton adds, clearly irritated by her presence. “We all know what’s really motivating you.”

Ophelia huffs, attempting to brush off the tension with a shrug. “Look, Sly,” she says with a slight whine, “all I’m saying is I think you fucking Alex could be beneficial—”

“No.”

My head snaps in Bishop’s direction, the same as everyone else’s. The single word strikes like a hammer, its finality and strength catching the entire group by surprise. It’s not just a rejection—it’s an order, one that shuts down any further discussion.

“But—”

“I said no,” Bishop repeats when Ophelia is the only one foolish enough to think she can change his mind. “Ever heard that word before?” His tone makes it clear it’s more of a statement than a question, the corner of his mouth twitching as if there’s some private joke he’s not sharing.

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