Page 23 of Pretty Secrets

“But the Knights don’t give a shit about that.”

“Or do they?” Oliver asks. “The situation as it is suggests otherwise.”

The bastard definitely grew up like us. He’s not giving anything away. The only thing that’s plain to see about him is his unrequited love for the Astor girl. Who’s definitely more mature than I originally gave her credit for. I was not expecting her to grab the prince’s cock like that, trying to finish her friend off in the girl’s mouth.

I assumed she would be self-righteous about it all, but I couldn’t resist joining. I like to test my restraint every now and then, and what better way than to have a mouth sucking on your cock?

“No one’s answering my question,” Leo fumes. “Why the fuck are we all paired up like we’re in first grade?”

I have my own suspicions about that, but I’m certainly not saying shit to any of these guys. Trust is hard won in my world, and the last person I would trust is Leonardo Jarvis. His family has been at the top of the food chain for years, not that he’s ever been able to revel in the spoils. His troublemaker ways are nearly dragging his family name down with him. “Does it matter?” I ask, eyeing him. “You’re back in the Knights. This is what they’ve asked us to do.”

“Back in the Knights?” Oliver asks. “So, Eden was right, you were kicked out.”

“Stop talking, royalty. I have little patience for people and even less with people I can barely understand.”

“It’s called speaking proper English, you mongrel.”

Leo’s nostrils flare, and I know from experience he’s about two seconds from blowing up. “Let’s not have a royal murder charge on our hands,” I say calmly, peering between the two of them. They couldn’t have paired me with worse choices.

“Our?” Leo bites, switching his ire to me. “Let one thing be clear to the two of you and little miss prissy pants upstairs,” he yells. “There is nous.” He plops into the armchair behind him. “I’ll kill someone if I want to.”

I watch him, wondering if he’s done something like that for his dear old grandfather, the slippery fuck. Nothing ever sticks to him. Leaning forward, I place my elbows on my knees. “Regardless, we’re stuck together. Unless you want me to tell your grandfather you’ve decided not to take his gift of letting you back in the Knights, Fledgling.”

Leo’s gaze narrows. Pure heat flashes off him, but I’ve been under enough hateful stares not to get worked up. The problem with Leo is he thinks he has it the worst and always has.

Eden’s pounding stops. All of us look toward the stairs but do nothing about it.

For myself, I find it odd that the Knights of Arcadia are letting in females, especially the sister of the girl who died during their function. I thought they’d give Delilah her opportunity before shooting her down, and that would be the end of that. But something is off now. Not only did the last girl die, but they’re bringing inmore. The Knights have done a lot of crazy shit before, and this seems like just another calm before the storm. They’re always being tactical, thinking three, four steps ahead of the rest of us. None of what they do usually gets to me, but I’m completely and utterly in tune to this one.

When I heard Eden Astor was attending Carnegie, I knew something was up. The Knights run Carnegie. They typically wouldn’t have allowed her admission because of what happened to Dee. It’s called clean up. They want family members as far away as possible…unless they have something else on their minds. Something awful.

After a pregnant pause, Leo switches positions in the chair, sitting more leisurely. “Odd seeing you back at Carnegie. Professor.”

I shrug, not deigning him with an answer and instead turn to Oliver. “How pissed is she going to be when we let her out of that room?”

“Royally.” Oliver grins.

Despite myself, I smirk. This guy might be alright.

“Listen, I didn’t grow up with all you rich assholes like Eden, but I do know her. She’s used to fending for herself. Whatever it is that we’re doing down here without her is a bad idea. She’s not your typical spoiled, rich brat.”

“Don’t kid yourself,” I muse. “They’re all spoiled, rich brats.”

“Oh, get fucked,” Oliver grunts. “And you’re not?”

“I did say all, didn’t I?”

After a moment, Oliver says, “I don’t know why they paired us together, but I’m here to do this with Edie. That’s the only fucking reason I’m here, not to get into a pissing contest with the likes of you.”

“I’m here for myself,” Leo says casually. “What about you,professor?” he asks with disdain.

Clearly he’s not over the fact that I came back to Carnegie to teach. There are a bunch of things I could say, but I settle for, “I’m here as a Knight. That’s all.”

Oliver’s gaze narrows at me, distrust swimming in his eyes. He should keep that notion. None of us are on the up and up.

“Let’s just take this one step at a time,” I suggest. “We’re grouped together to make sure Eden—and the royal—get through pledging. That’s it. Help or not,” I add, landing on Leo. “But since your end goal is to end up a Knight, I say you toe the line for now.”

A stillness settles over us as we inspect each other. Leo’s still not on board, and I didn’t expect him to be. I have no idea how he’s back within reach of the Knights, but he’s not my focus. Why Eden is here is. As if on cue, soft moans permeate the silence. Every last pair of eyes turns toward the stairs as the sounds get louder and louder.

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