Page 3 of Pretty Secrets

Slowly, I walk after her, hiding behind high-priced vehicles in the parking lot until I reach hers. Moisture dots the exterior from the cool night air and catches the light off the lampposts, almost making her vehicle shine out of the corner of my eye. It takes me a moment to spot Eden again. She’s crouched next to the wall of Jarvis Hall, staring toward a single figure moving along the cobblestone walkway toward the building that houses the Knights.

A fiery ball of anger forms in my stomach as I peer past her toward the looming structure. The Knights of Arcadia and I have a spotty history. Emotions so mixed it’s as if barbed wire threads through my very thoughts. Can you both want something and hate it at the same time?

I narrow my gaze as she keeps to the shadows, almost like she’s spying. Her free hand turns into a fist at her side and stays that way as she watches the lone figure disappear around the building toward the forest. The figure was clearly masculine but too far away to recognize. I lick my lips, watching after her. Could she see who it was? Was she interested because of the guy or because of the Knights in general?

Maybe I misinterpreted the fist clenching for anger when it’s really sadness. Her sister did go here, after all. And since she was a Knight, this girl would obviously be curious about the building and the people.

Eden jumps, and I hunker down closer to the side of the Jeep so I’m not spied. Eden squeals and throws herself at a figure that emerges from the shadows. She wraps her arms around him tightly, and for the first time, I can see the tormented sadness clinging to her face. But it slowly fades to fondness as the guy holds her to him.

Grandfather certainly didn’t say anything about Eden having a boyfriend. And who the fuck does this guy think he is hanging around Jarvis Hall? It’s my territory.

“Edie….”

Edie?

Red hot jealousy rips through me as she clings tighter. She’s like a delicate flower seeking nourishment, and he’s giving her all she needs. My lip curls in disgust. I don’t know why I covet sad, pretty things when all I want to do is tear their petals off one by one. But that’s okay. This just became a better game, one a lot more rewarding than my grandfather pulling at my puppet strings. I can certainly fuck withandwatch this girl at the same time. He didn’t say hands off, not that I’m known for doing things one hundred percent by the book, anyway.

I casually walk back to my midnight black sports car that’s purposefully lost within the recesses of the parking lot. My body thrums with electricity as I pull the door closed and watch while the couple starts to move.

Reaching for my phone, I send my grandfather another text.There’s a guy with her now.

He responds immediately, apparently feeling the need to keep me informed now, at least on this aspect.Prince Oliver IX. He’ll be staying there.

What kind of douche is a ninth? Fucking royalty. I crack my knuckles, calming myself before I break the screen typing out a response.Staying with her? In a girls’ dorm?

He’s fucking royalty. He can stay wherever he goddamn wants. And he wanted Jarvis.

The familiar, territorial anger pushes through the surface.Another dick? In MY hall?

In MY hall. Do I also need to remind you that you aren’t matriculated at Carnegie anymore? You’re to watch from afar. Share with me anything that sticks out.

I think the fuck not. If the old man wasn’t feeble and responsible for my entire well-being, I’d shake the shit out of him.Nomen are allowed to stay at Jarvis but me.Especiallywith her.

My gaze tracks to her picture still lying on the passenger seat and then moves to the same figure walking next to a goddamn, real life prince. Seeing her in the flesh makes this all the more real and interesting. A pull tugs in my stomach. She’s my next conquest. Only my body will tell me how far I’m willing to go and in whatever ways I want her. For some, just a good fuck is enough. For others, I let my imagination run wild.

My overpaid therapist tells me I have abandonment issues. In reality, I’m just the family miscreant who likes to fuck.

Welcome to Carnegie University, Eden Astor. I’m not sure how pleasant your stay here will be.

2

Eden

I’ve been waiting for this moment. Biding my time, planning in the background. The first step out of my car and onto the freshly paved blacktop at Carnegie University is the first step in the direction I’ve been dying to pursue since Dee died ten long months ago.

I’m finally here, amongst the huge maples blanketing campus. If you’re into old buildings, manicured lawns, and forests, this place would be your sanctuary. Everywhere you look could be a postcard image. Turquoise blue ocean and powder sand are more my style, but it’s not up to me anymore. Standing here, gazing at the gothic-style building that houses my new digs, a pang of sadness for the life I gave up echoes through me. I dropped out of my California state school immediately after Dee died. Following her funeral, I helped pick up the pieces back home. Currently, we’re still moving around with robot-like precision, but at least we’re not shattered remnants anymore.

Matriculating into CU was about as easy as could be. I have a feeling Admin just whited out Delilah from everything and typedEdenin its place. I have her old room. I’m in the same year as she was when she passed. Hell, they’ll probably give me her old dining card, too.

Replacing her in real life won’t be as easy. In fact, it’s impossible. I’m nothing like her. Every time my parents look at me, I must remind them of that very fact. The only aspect I can replace her in is joining the Knights...maybe.

It’s the biggest hurdle in my plan, but if I want to find out any information, I have to do what she did. I have to get the Knights to trust me. I have to seep into their rotten core and unveil their dirty secrets.

Infiltrate.

Expose.

Escape.

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