Page 33 of Pretty Lethal
Leaning my head against the headboard, I mull over options for my next move. All week, when I don’t have class, or receiving knife-wielding lessons from Hadley, or hanging out with the guys, I’ve been in the campus library, trying to dig up any information I can find on the King’s Elite. Going so far as to bring books home, use the light on my phone to read after the guys have fallen asleep, and stay up until the early hours of the morning on nights I’m by myself.
However, other than a brief mention of Kappa Epsilon in one of the history books, I haven’t found a thing.
Zip.
Nada.
Nothing.
Whomever the King’s Elite are, they’re ghosts in the history of Ridgeway College.
Sighing in defeat, I grab the stack of books and move them to my bedside table. I should really go to sleep, but I know it will be a while longer before my brain switches off. Instead, I climb out of bed and pull my robe over my satin pajama shorts and tank top. The robe is one Hadley bought for me—it’s black with a white hood, with black panda eyes and ears.
I stuff my feet into matching slippers before heading down to the kitchen.
As I descend the last few stairs, I notice a light coming from the direction of the kitchen. I can hazard a guess at who is awake at this hour. Hawk has been having as much trouble sleeping as I have recently, so I’m not the slightest bit surprised to find him sitting at the island nursing a glass of scotch when I walk in.
“What are you doing up?” he asks.
“Probably the same reason you are.” I move toward the cupboards and begin pulling them open. “Do you want a hot chocolate?”
When I glance over my shoulder, he holds up his glass with an amber liquid swirling in it. “I’m good.”
I go about making my drink before sliding onto the barstool beside him, then I nudge my knee against his. “Talk to me.”
He shrugs. “There isn’t much to tell.”
“I don’t believe that. I’m guessing you forgave Wilder?”
He takes a sip of amber liquid before answering. “Yeah. It seemed stupid to hold a grudge, especially after everything that’s happened.”
“You shouldn’t forgive him just because you feel like you should.”
“No, it’s cool. We talked, and honestly, it was exhausting to hold on to that anger. While I wish he’d done things differently, I do understand why he did what he did. He genuinely seems remorseful, and I’ve been watching him with you. He’s been different this last week.” He turns in his chair, linking one leg with mine as he faces me. “Both he and Kai have accepted this.”
“They have.”
“And for the most part, things are good, right?”
I smile at him over the rim of my cup. “They’ve been better than good.”
He nods, already having suspected that answer. “Then I’m okay to forgive him.”
Setting my cup down, I shimmy closer in my seat and slide my hands along his thighs. “How have you been doing with all of that? We haven’t had a chance to talk.”
He strokes his fingers through my hair, brushing it back from my face. “You know I have no problems sharing you with them, so long as it’s what you want.”
“I know, but you’ve had me all to yourself for a while, so I wouldn’t blame you if you were having some adjustment issues.”
He smiles, small and half-hearted, as he leans in and cups my cheek. “How do you know me so well?”
I place my hand over his. “Because I feel the same way, too. It probably sounds stupid, but I miss you. I thought having a schedule would make it easier, but I feel like I really only have time with you once every four days.”
This time his smile is genuine. “If the schedule isn’t working, we can do something else. We can just do what feels right, go with the flow and make more time for all of us to spend together. We could even turn the third floor into one giant bedroom and put a California King in it so we can all sleep together.” His eyes flash as he smirks mischievously.
“Mmm, I like the sound of all of that.”
“Have you found any info on the King’s Elite?” he asks, changing the subject.
