Page 21 of Lords of Misrule
“Rowan is usually Lord of Misrule and decides the night’s events. But sex, drugs, and drinking are always at the top of the list,” Hudson informs me.
“Lord of Misrule?” I look back to Rowan again.
“Master of Ceremonies… Creator of Chaos…” Hudson laughs again, and I can tell this is one of their favorite things. “We all wear our masks. You can put your name in a bowl to get a mystery partner for the night. Lots of wine and old-style feast foods—cakes, fruit, liquors. We go all out for it.”
“It’s invite-only but everyone tries to get an invite on campus. How have you not heard of this before?” Finn raises a brow.
“Sounds interesting. I’ve never cared much for wild parties,” I mumble as I carry things to the table. Mostly because they end up with me in a closet with Rowan, enjoying myself until the hangover the next morning.
“You’ll like this one. Stick with me, and you’ll have a good time.” Hudson grins and bumps my shoulder, and I smile back as we sit down to dinner.
“Okay, but when are we going to plan our…” I start and then I realize I don’t even know what to call it. Robbery sounds pretty terrible even if that’s what it is. Is there a word for justified robbery? Vengeance acquisition? Punishment pilfering?
“Heist?” Finn adds helpfully.
“Sure. Heist.” That at least sounds more like we’re professionals with a common goal than the petty thieves we actually are.
“We gotta get through our game this weekend and then the party. After all that we can formulate a plan for getting the paintings. I’m thinking Christmas weekend though. Hopefully the professor goes out of town.” Rowan takes a bite of his pasta, and his brows raise subtly like he might like it as much as the garlic bread. Maybe the man can be mildly impressed.
“Fine. As long as it’s soon. I want to get this done.” I take a sip of my ice water and glance to make sure Finn and Hudson are enjoying their food too, and my heart bounces a little when I see them both devouring their dinner. I suppose it doesn’t take much to keep hockey players happy with food after practice, but it still feels like a small win.
Eleven
Finn
When we get off the ice that night after the game I’m exhausted and bloody. The shower in the locker room isn’t nearly enough to knock the weariness from my body. I’m going to need a soak when I get home to try to ease my muscles and take the sting off the worst of the bruises from the fight tonight. When we get to the car, Charlotte’s standing there, and she pops off the side of it when she sees us coming. I grin at the way she hurries toward me, concern written on her face.
“Are you okay? That fight was insane.” She frowns as she looks me over, and I hear Rowan make a scoffing sound.
“I’m fine. Just need an Epsom soak and some ice. I’ll be good as new tomorrow. You like watching the fight?”
“I doubt that. And it was interesting…” Her fingers ghost over the bruise on my cheek once we’re in the car—Rowan driving, Hudson in the passenger seat, and the two of us in the back. I see Rowan’s eyes flash a warning look at me in the rearview at the way she’s touching me and given the rough night and my ejection from the game, I’m half tempted to argue. Half tempted to tell him if she wants to take care of me tonight, I’ll let her.
But as I sit back against the seat and glance out the window, I remember that he’s kept us afloat. Kept me out of trouble more than once over the years even when it meant him taking the fall. I can’t betray all those years for her even if I want to. Even if I’m so fucking tempted it hurts.
We stop on the way back, grabbing some quick food for all of us, and I take my soak after we eat. When I get out, she’s waiting in my room with ice packs, I start to smile, but when I look closely I see her cheeks are stained and her eyes are red.
“Charlotte? Are you okay?” My voice startles her, and she looks up.
“What? Oh yeah. I’m okay. I just wanted to make sure you had some ice and stuff. Those bruises look terrible.”
“Why were you crying? Did Rowan do something?” I feel my temper start to kick at the idea of him being an ass to her again for no reason.
“Rowan? No. No. I just… The guy that has my brother. He sent a video of him telling me he’s okay and not to worry. But that asshole told me to hurry the fuck up with his money. Like I can go any faster. He knows I’ve done all I can. I’m just worried if we don’t get the money in time. What will happen?”
“Oh fuck.” I sit next to her on the bed and wrap an arm around her shoulders. She leans into me, the warmth of her body soaking into mine.
“I’m just scared for him. Before he’d let me talk to Brady occasionally, but now, he won’t even do that. Just the videos. I mean he looks okay, considering. He tells me not to worry. But he’s basically being held for ransom while I try to work off his debt. How the hell am I supposed to not worry?” A little sob comes out then, and her tears start to fall again.
“We’re gonna figure it out. We’ll get the paintings and get the money soon.” I pull her closer. I wish I could fix this for her. Beat this guy into a fucking pulp for what he’s doing to her and her brother.
Rowan chooses that moment to walk by my open door, and he pulls up short when he sees the two of us sitting on my bed while I try to console her. His face contorts though when he sees the tears, and he leans against the doorframe.
“What’s wrong?”
Charlotte starts at the sound of his voice, her head popping up, and her eyes snapping to his immediately. It’s hard to tell if it’s fear or something else when she’s around him.
“Nothing. It’s fine.”
