Page 8 of North

I didn’t answer, keeping my eyes on my coffee. But that only seemed to encourage him.

“You’re not used to nice things, are you?” he continued, his tone mocking. “You should probably get used to that, rabbit. Dad likes a good charity case. That’s why he became a lawyer.”

“Shut up, North,” I snapped, the words spilling out before I could stop them. I glared at him, but he only grinned wider, like he enjoyed the fire in my voice.

“Aw, don’t be like that, rabbit,” he purred, stepping closer. His voice dropped, rich and smooth like honey dripping over something poisonous. “I’m just trying to understand. Must be a big change for you, coming from…” He paused, tilting his head as if searching for the right words. “Well, whatever burrow you hopped out of.”

I slammed my mug down on the counter, the sound ringing through the kitchen. “Stop being a fucking asshole, North. You don’t know anything about me,” I hissed, my hands trembling with anger. “Or where I came from.”

He laughed, low and mocking, and the sound sent a shiver down my spine. “Oh, I think I know enough,” he murmured, his voice dropping into a whisper, and those blue eyes gleaming with amusement. “And last night? I think you know I’m right. You just couldn’t help yourself, could you, rabbit?”

My pulse spiked, and I stepped back, but he followed, trapping me against the counter. His body radiated heat, his arms bracketing me in as he stared me down with that same infuriating smirk.

“You’d make a good whore, you know,” he said, his voice sharp and cruel. “Sell yourself to the highest bidder. Someone might even think you’re worth it.” He tilted his head, glancing down the length of my body. “Bet even a murderer’s pussy is warm when you give it enough attention.”

The words stung like a slap, and I shoved him, hard. He barely moved, but his grin only grew, like he thrived on my reaction.

“Get out of my way,” I said, my voice trembling with fury.

“Why?” he asked, leaning closer, his lips brushing against my ear. “Afraid you’ll like it?”

I didn’t think—I just acted, snatching the car keys and ducking under his arm, my heart pounding as I put as much distance between us as possible. His laughter followed me, low and mocking, as I stormed up the stairs to my room, slamming the door behind me.

My chest heaved, my hands shaking as I pressed them to my face, trying to block out the sound of his voice, the heat of his breath, the way he made me feel like I was teetering on the edge of something dangerous.

He wasn’t going to win. I wouldn’t let him.

But tears still fell when I looked back at the door. I thought we left those old rumors behind when we moved away from this town, but I guess it’s hard to forget when the town’s golden kid gets accused of murder.

Why didn’t you just prove them wrong, Dad?

It didn’t matter. I knew he wasn’t the one who killed Lila.

I straightened, taking a deep breath as I wiped away the angry tears that spilled. North Stirling might have the upper hand now, but this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. I had a whole fucking summer to make him realize how much he’s just fucked up.

Chapter 3

North

I could’ve spent all day waiting for Quinn to come downstairs, but I needed to prove to myself that I wasn’t as focused on her as I already was. So I invited the gang. They were going to join anyway, but later in the month.

Lucky for me, they weren’t phased about the change.

But I didn’t say a word about Quinn, and something about that bothered me. Was I protecting her, or myself?

Connor’s laugh rang out first, sharp and obnoxious as he shoved the front door open, his broad shoulders brushing the frame like he didn’t care if he left a mark. Victor followed close behind, his polished, effortless smirk already firmly in place. Summer trailed after them, her honey-blonde bob catching the sunlight as she tossed me a bright, syrupy smile that I ignored.

“Damn,” Connor muttered, whistling low as he glanced around. “Did this place get bigger or what? It’s fucking massive.”

“Kind of looks like a castle,” Summer joked. “Please tell me you guys have cleaners.”

I nodded my head, confirming.

Victor snorted, running a hand over the banister like he was testing for dust. “Mark compensating for something?”

Yeah, he was. He’d done renovations recently when he heard that Quinn might be moving in with us. He wanted to make her comfortable, take her mind off her father’s possible (at the time) death.

“Where’s Aiden?” I asked as Connor shoved the door shut behind them. “He’s not coming?”

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