Page 5 of Lords of Misrule
He looks back at me, and I can tell he’s ready to argue when Finn grabs his arm and tugs him. It’s uncharacteristic and the movement seems to shock even Rowan who looks confused but follows Finn’s lead. The three of them get to the door, Hudson making his way out before Rowan turns back.
“We’re not finished.”
“If you say so.” I offer him another false smile, and Finn nudges him over the threshold, glancing back at me once before he follows Rowan out the door.
Three
Finn
“So much for your fucking research,” Rowan cuts into Hudson as soon as we’re down the block. “Could have gotten us all fucking killed by that psycho bitch.”
“You can’t expect me to know that he’s secretly fucking a student,” Hudson defends himself.
“No? You couldn’t find a fucking rumor? No way that shit stays quiet. Someone always finds out and talks.”
“Then they’re particularly careful.”
“Which is suspicious as fuck. She’s got a tenured professor between her thighs, and she’s not tellinganyone?” Rowan shakes his head. “Nah. That doesn’t make fucking sense. She’s up to something.”
“If you need this level of information, you need more. Someone who can hack his phone or his cloud or wherever the fuck he’d keep that kind of info on her,” Hudson explains as we make our way down the street. “That’s beyond my skillset.”
“And you. Why the fuck are you so quiet? You’re telling me you’re in his class with her and you never figured out anything?” Rowan turns his anger on me.
“No. She’s quiet. Sits near the back by me. We’ve had classes together for years since we’re both art majors. I really thought she was…” I go quiet, realizing what I’m about to say doesn’t help the situation.
“What?”
“A good girl. That whole… everything that just happened. Would have never fucking guessed. So I guess I had her all fucking wrong.” I can’t stop the smile that comes to my lips, forgetting for a minute that the mask doesn’t shield that part of my face.
“Yeah. That fucking amuse you?” Rowan gripes, his tone slightly softer with me.
“No.” I straighten my face. Letting on that I kind of like the girl who just had a gun to the back of his head is probably not going to help her or me.
“Good. Because it’s not fucking funny. That was our best shot to get those paintings. I don’t have a plan B.”
“We’ll figure it out. A sleep or two. It’ll all come together again. Maybe she can help us.” I shrug.
“Did she seem like she was wanting to help?” Rowan tilts his head at me, and the way the light flashes across the gold of his mask and dances off its horns has him looking like he might drag us all to hell right now.
“No. But she could have done a lot worse. Called the cops. Called for the professor. She went easy on us,” I counter.
“You didn’t have a loaded gun to the back of your head,” Rowan argues.
“Life flash before your eyes?” Hudson asks, turning around to look at us for a moment and walking backward to accomplish it.
“Yourlife flashed before my eyes. For getting us fucked like this.” Rowan shakes his head. “You realize she has everything now. Knows who we are. Has my gun. Can hold it all over our heads.”
“Relax.” Hudson smiles. “I don’t think she wants to do that.”
“Based on what?”
“I don’t know. The way she was. Seemed like she just wanted peace. Didn’t seem like she was particularly happy with the professor either.” Hudson offers his opinion to the group and Rowan takes it in stride.
“Who would be? You’ve been around Mitch enough to know he’s dull as fuck and even more self-absorbed. I’m sure he’s just as bad in bed,” Rowan muses.
“Didn’t she just have a gun to your head?” Hudson smirks under his mask.
“Yeah. Doesn’t mean she couldn’t be a good fuck. Crazy ones are always good in bed.” Rowan returns the sentiment.
