Page 15 of Pretty Secrets

Oliver comes up behind me, placing his gentle hands on my shoulders, and I instantly relax. “I know this sucks. Do you want to go to Tahiti instead? I’ll book the private jet.”

Of course he would offer up something extravagant andüber expensive. I grin and shake my head. “No. I’m fine.”

He squeezes me, fingers pressing into my collarbone as he dips his hands lower to massage my tense muscles. “You need to become the best actress of your life. Hate these people if you want, Edie, but you need to pretend that you don’t. Smile instead of scowl. Laugh instead of growl. Take the bite out of you a little.”

He’s right. They’ll see right through me if I don’t. “What happens when we prove they hurt Dee?”

“Ifwe find that out, we call the authorities.”

Shock pings through me. I swallow before turning in his grip. Why would he come here if he didn’t think they did it? He studies me when I don’t say anything, and I can’t decide if I’m mad that he doesn’t believe me or if I should just be glad he’s here anyway, despitenotbelieving me. Then again, he’s already said he’s only here for one reason. I guess I have to add him to the list of people I need to convince.

I know one thing for sure: the Knights are untouchable. The authorities won’t be able to do anything to them, so I’ll have to get creative in their punishment. I haven’t figured that part out yet, but that’s just as high up there in the plan as finding out what happened to Delilah.

“You look good, by the way.”

“Of course you would think so,” I tease, though my cheeks heat a little at his words. “Ready?”

“Ready,” he confirms, holding his elbow out to me. I slip my arm through his, grab my bag on the way out, and start toward the stairs.

My roommates are already gone or still in bed when we get down to the main floor. We escape without a flurry of fanfare and start toward our first class. Oliver’s arranged for us to have the same schedule since apparently no one in admin at Carnegie can turn true royalty down. Knowing Oliver, I’m sure he put on the charm, too.

Walking through campus is like attending one of my parents’ posh parties. It’s a who’s who of rich families. My presence doesn’t seem to be a surprise to them. Their discerning stares watch the two of us, though I can’t tell if it’s me they’re interested in or the royal.

We see nothing of Keegan the first half of the day, but my eyes stay peeled, searching for him in between boring classes. Multiple people attempt to talk to me, and Oliver has to elbow me every single time so I can make nice. Dee was so much better at this socializing shit than I am. Whatever I’m thinking is usually plastered all over my face, but I have to grin and bear it for the foreseeable future.

I walk out of the cafeteria after lunch, dejected. The classes suck. My friends—bar Oliver—aren’t here. And I haven’t seen Keegan all fucking day. I’m ready to scream when the crowd parts in front of me and the face I’ve been looking for miraculously comes into view.

“No fucking way,” I murmur.

Oliver’s head snaps up. His lips part when he recognizes him. “Okay, alright. What we’re going to do is—”

I march forward. Oliver sighs behind me, but I ignore him. I’ve been waiting to confront Keegan for too long. The gaze of the Forbes’ heir settles on me. He stops, shoulders slumping while his already sallow face pales.

His demeanor doesn’t deter me. I wouldn’t care if he was dying, I’d still approach him. “You motherf—”

“Okay,” Oliver says cheerily, coming up to take his place beside me. He places an arm around my shoulder and tries to steer me away. “Let’s go somewhere private.”

Around us, people stop to stare. “What do you want, Edie?” Keegan asks. He hasn’t moved from his spot, so I shake Oliver off and face him again. He barely meets my eyes, acting nothing like the Keegan Forbes I know. The last time I saw him, he was being a dick to my sister, telling her maybe he’d fuck me if she wouldn’t give it up—not that I’d ever let him put his dick inside me, regardless of his relationship with my sister.

“Seriously?” I laugh, wondering if he’s completely lost it. He must know what I’m pissed about. He didn’t even show up to his fiancée’s funeral. That’s fucked up.

He lifts his bloodshot eyes to mine. “Yes, seriously.”

“You look like shit,” I seethe. “How dare you look like you care.” I step forward again.

Instead of him moving to face me like he would have in the past, he retreats. “I’m not doing this with you right now.”

My jaw unhinges. Irritation straightens my spine. Everything he’s responding with isn’t what I expect. The fucker looks as if he lost his fiancée, even though he doesn’t care. He never cared for Dee as much as she cared for him. He wanted the Astor trophy wife, and she wanted anything but. They clashed over everything.

Oliver tries to tug on my arm, but it’s a commanding voice that makes me pay attention. “Let’s not do this here.” It’s so sultry and dark that I immediately peer up at its origin. A handsome man in a suit stares us down then switches his gaze to glare at the growing crowd.

I can’t place him right away despite his looks, so he’s nothing but an annoyance. I’ve been waiting to pepper Keegan with questions, so I turn my attention back to him. “You have nothing to say?”

“Not here,” the man demands once more, his tone deepening.

Anger lashes through me, and I face the brazen man again. “Who the fuck are you?”

“Mr. Barclay. Your Economics professor.” He glances at his watch. “A class you’re going to be late for if you don’t leave right this instant.”

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