by Ruby Vincent
“No one could understand.” He moved away, walking toward the window. “To lose your only son. Your heir. Your legacy. My boy was going to do great things. He would have conquered the world and the weak men within it. I raised him to be everything I was and everything I couldn’t be.”
Dominick’s grief didn’t manifest in tears or a choked throat. He seemed a man perfectly in control. But as I gazed at him standing by the window—and the picture of him and young Cameron hanging inches away from the curtains—tears prickled behind my eyes. Dominick Dupre was the saddest man alive.
Swallowing hard, I quickly wiped away a trail of wetness staining my cheek. “I want you to know that no one is giving up. We will find the person who killed Cameron.”
“Your reassurance is not necessary. I have the best investigators money can buy searching for the rotted piece of shit. It’s only a matter of time.”
I stared at my father’s back. “And what will you do if they find him?”
“You ask a lot of questions, girl, but you don’t have a right to the answers. Get out. Return to the party. There is an announcement coming. Tonight, things are going to change.”
I left.
Left the room, left the mansion, left the neighborhood.
The frigid, stinging wind slapped my cheeks as I walked off blindly in any direction. I didn’t stop until Derek found me an hour later, almost to the highway.
Chapter Eight
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Are you lying to me?”
I chuckled. I was in my room putting away my Christmas presents. The morning dawned with our first gift, a cold snap that dipped temperatures to almost freezing. Jordan and I took full advantage and busted out hot cocoa, blankets, and a pile of Christmas movies. We watched them back to back before her roaring fireplace.
Now I was home and calling all of my boys to hear their celebrations. My final call only wanted to speak about one thing.
“Derek, I swear I’m fine. I’ve apologized over fifty times to each of you for wandering off and scaring you. I got overwhelmed. I felt a panic attack coming on and needed the fresh air. I just wasn’t thinking straight.”
“You can’t run away from us.” Derek was laced with concern. As guilty as I felt for causing it, it warmed me that the guy who regularly called me clingy was fussing over me. “The next time it happens, come to us so we can take care of you.”
“I will.”
“Damn it, Zela,” he cried.
“What?” I asked with a laugh. “I’m agreeing with you.”
“I know something happened when you disappeared. You don’t get panic attacks for nothing. Why won’t you tell me?”
I sighed. “I did tell you. I went to find Cameron’s room and stumbled in on Dominick. We talked for like five minutes and then I left.”
“He said something to you. Did something.”
“He didn’t lay a finger on me or threaten to. All we did was talk about Cameron.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Of course not, my stubborn love.”
He mumbled something I didn’t catch. “Did Landon tell you he talked to Santiago? He threw what Heath said in his face and Santi told him to fuck off. Said it wasn’t his business.”
“Yes, he told me. Heath didn’t have a lot more to say either. Then Dominick came in.”
“The guy is a fucking bastard,” he spat. “Part of me is glad you weren’t there for his big announcement. You didn’t see me lose it.”
I cringed. “I’m so sorry, Derek. I couldn’t believe it when Michael told me.”
“Everything my dad built is dead. He’s destroying what the Network stood for.”
“So new recruits pay to play.”
“That’s why he didn’t care if the parents knew and told all of their friends. He’s bringing the Network public and using his money and wife’s connections to turn it into an official organization. It’s not a mentoring program anymore. If recruits or anyone else want access to the members, they pay through the nose.
“How much?” I asked. “Will there at least be tiers?”
“It’s a flat thousand to apply. If you’re accepted, it’s five hundred a month to keep your membership. After all of that, if you want to get near the members you have to agree to whatever rate they choose.”
“That’s insane. No one will agree to that.”
“People already have. The news is spreading through Evergreen fast. Most of them think it’s a great idea. Parents around here spend thousands for tutors anyway. Why not skip the nobodies and just hire a top NBA champion?”
My new shirt wrinkled in my fist. “The Network becomes another exclusive club for the rich.”
“Yes. It’s open to men and women now, but all of those men and women will have trust funds. I’ve dropped out. So have Landon, Michael, Cole, and Hunter. The kid is a good friend,” Derek added. “I should be nicer to him.”
“I wish I could do something.”
“You can do something,” he continued. “We talked about meeting up over the break. Do you still want to?”
“The answer to that is a resounding yes. We’ve put this off long enough. We should have done it the first day of school.”
Derek finally laughed—a full, rich sound that broke the lingering tension. “Think how much sweeter it’ll be because we didn’t rush.”
I hummed. “I don’t know. Our wild fumblings in the bathrooms and broom closets are plenty sweet. Or were you lying about my pussy tasting like honey?”
“You’re so damn dirty, Zela,” he growled, “and I love it. I’ll pick you up tomorrow night. Tell your mom you’ll be at Adam’s or something because I will not have you back at a respectable hour.”
“Don’t worry. I have it covered.”
“Bye, Zee. I love you... and I will get the truth out of you.”
I shook my head. “I love you too.”
We hung up and went back to putting away my new clothes. I did have our night covered. I went to Mom and told her the truth. I said Derek was planning a special date night for us and I’d miss curfew. I didn’t go into detail, but Mom was no dummy. She looked at me without speaking for so long that it grew uncomfortable, but she said yes.
My mom bought me birth control pills. She met all four of my outrageously hot boyfriends, and she’s given me so many lectures on female sexuality being a natural thing that I lost count. In the end, the truth was best.
Mom and I counted down the final hours of Christmas reading our favorite books on the living room couch.
The next day, I got ready to meet Derek. I didn’t know where he was taking me, but he was the kind of guy who thought of everything. I kept it simple and packed a toothbrush and a change of clothes for the morning.
“Zela?” Mom poked her head in. “Derek is downstairs.”
“I’m ready.”
“I want you back by ten a.m.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“And if there’s a problem, call me.”
“I will.” I pecked her on the cheek. “But there won’t be a problem.”
Derek waited for me on the porch. I threw myself in his arms.
“Finally,” I whispered. “When we get there, we’re going straight to bed. I’ll strap you to it if I have to.”
He chuckled. “Looks like I’m getting a reputation of holding out, but trust me, it wasn’t on purpose. We’re on the same page, Zee. You’ll be lucky if we make it to the bedroom.”
We tried not to run to the car in case Mom was watching. Derek zipped out of the neighborhood and headed for the highway, blowing past the speed limit. It was pure luck that we didn’t get pulled over.
Soon, anonymous highway was replaced with thick woods and tall pines that sweetened the air. I realized minutes away where we were going.
“The cabin?”
“Mom and Dad went out for a romantic night of their own. He
changed the locks on this place, but I swiped the new one and made copies.”
“You’re so bad, Derek Grayson.”
“That’s a reputation I will hold on to.”
The porch lit up when we pulled up the drive, revealing the secluded paradise. Changes were made since our last visit. Flowers lined the path to the door and comfy rocking chairs were on the porch.
“Wow,” I said as I climbed out. “It’s just as beautiful as I—”
Derek raced around the car and scooped me up.
“Admire the landscape later,” he said over my yelp.
That was fine with me.
We stumbled into the house, mouths connected, and hands fumbling to tear off our clothes. Derek kicked the door shut with a slam that rattled the windows. His eagerness made my lower belly clench.
I ripped my bra off and flung it over my shoulder somewhere. I did the same with his belt. I broke our kiss, earning a growl, but I made up for it by dropping to my knees and dragging his pants down. His member sprang free, erect and desperate for me. I swallowed him to the hilt and bobbed my head.
He let out an almost primal groan. Derek tangled his fingers in my hair. “Come here.”
I obeyed. We connected in a kiss that poured molten heat through my mouth and scorched me from the inside out. I broke away, gasping.
“Bedroom,” I rasped.
“We’re not going to make it.”
I slipped out of his hold anyway and ran giggling for the room. I made it four steps before Derek wrapped his arms around my middle and carried me to the couch. I hitched my breath as he bent me over the arm of the chair.
“Der—”
He pushed my panties down and warm air hit my heated cheeks. He positioned himself at my entrance and stopped.
“Do it,” I practically screamed. “Do it, Derek. I want you now. Just like this.”
That was all the encouragement he needed. He pushed inside of me and a moan escaped my lips. He moved and I rocked against the couch. My nipples brushed against the leather as he pumped faster, deeper, harder.
Derek and I had done a lot of stupid things but waiting was at the top. That molten heat raged into an inferno that blotted out my mind and being. Nothing existed but Derek and the molding of our bodies in the place where we confessed our love. The place where he truly became mine.
The sensations surging through me collected in one spot. My orgasm crested, reaching a fever pitch, and then he struck that spot and I tipped over.
I buried my face in the leather as waves and waves of explosions burst in my mind. Derek collapsed on top of me. He cuddled me tight and whispered in my ear as I came down.
“I love you, Zee,” he said. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
He nipped the shell of my ear. “You know that one doesn’t count though, right?”
My eyes snapped open. “What?”
“I got a little carried away. Believe it or not, I didn’t picture bending you over a couch for our first time.”
I giggled. “That’s how I pictured it. The first time we were intimate was in the woods behind school. Also, do I need to get into how many times you’ve put me on my knees in the dirt?”
“So I guess I thought we’d try a bed for once.” He dropped soft kisses on the back of my neck. “I’ve got dinner, candles, and music. Tonight is going to be perfect.”
“It already is perfect,” I murmured. My eyes fluttered shut under his ministrations. “But I love you for doing all of this for me.”
“Are you hungry?”
“Only if we’ll eat in bed.”
“That’s a given.”
We took our night to the bedroom and everything Derek promised was waiting for me. Candlelight flickered over us as we fed each other and then made love again beneath the soft sheets. Derek took his time, torturing me with foreplay, and I soaked up his love, knowing we had all night.
Four in the morning, we laid in each other’s arms completely spent. I nuzzled in the crook of his neck, so happy I couldn’t pen in my smile.
“What time do I have to get you home?”
“Ten,” I said. “Which means we’ll get in a quick one before breakfast.”
“I should set an alarm. I don’t want to risk your mother’s wrath.”
I pointed over his chest. “My bag is by the nightstand. Use my phone.”
Derek rolled away and rifled around until he got my cell.
“I love this picture,” he said.
“Picture?”
He flashed me my background. “No one could do your beauty justice but Hunter came close. Those socks still look cute.”
I hummed. “You’re showing your soft, sweet center, Derek Grayson. And all it took was hours of hot sex.”
He winked. “Another hour might soften me up even more.”
OUR TIME IN THE CABIN was over in a blink. Hours later, I helped Derek remove every trace of our presence.
“I wished this break wouldn’t end,” I said. I bagged up the trash and placed it by the door to take out. Derek was in the kitchen washing up our dishes. “Detention is filled with lowerclassmen every day because the Bs, As, and Elites go after them relentlessly with challenges.
“Why are they allowed to do that?” I raged. “They’re demanding battles for privileges they already have. They should have addressed this in freshmen year when the Elites came after me.”
“It’s rough on the boys’ side. Security has broken up three fights already.”
“The girls’ side isn’t much better. The Elites seniors aren’t joining in on the targeting, but I put that down to Melody. She claims they don’t take her seriously, but that girl doesn’t see how popular she is, or that the girls in our class consider her a friend. It didn’t help that she funded the spring break trip herself. Or I should say it did help.
“Except for Everly rolling her eyes every time I breathe; the senior girls stay out of it. I can’t say the same for the other grades. Beth doesn’t want to join in either, but her friends are pressuring her. Whittaker and Argyle have to give in.”
Whittaker just won’t do it,” Derek said. “He can’t accept that after all these years, Breakbattle is falling apart under his watch.”
“I understand that he believes in this system, but it’s been weeks and Refuse is going stronger. Tanner says they’re willing to hold out for the rest of the year.”
“Parents leaned on him and Whittaker got rid of the ten-point penalty. He’s listening to them. If they protested the system like this, this could be over in a week.”
I shook my head. “The parents sent them to that school in the first place. If they didn’t want their kids dealing with the battle system, they made a crap choice. Of course they flew in quick to stop their kids from flunking, but the chances of them getting as organized as us are slim.”
“You have a point.” Derek put away the last dish and met me by the door. “This might be all we can do, but we won’t give up.”
I kissed him. “No, we won’t.”
“Ready to go?”
“I wish we didn’t have to.”
“You won’t feel that way when I tell you Michael is dropping by your place today to surprise you with a date to the skating rink.”
“He is? But now you’ve ruined the surprise.”
“Worth it to put the smile back on your face.”
We gathered the rest of our things and left. Derek took the garbage and tossed me the keys. The chime for a text sounded in my pocket.
I pulled it out and read the message. I stopped dead.
“Oh my— No. No, it can’t be true.” My phone shook in my hands. “No.”
“Zela? Zee, what’s wrong?”
Raising my head, I looked at Derek through wide eyes.
“Derek, I know who For All is.”
“ZEE, ARE YOU SURE?” asked Michael.
“I’m one hundred percent sure,” I repeated for the hundredth time. I picked up the pace and so did
the boys. They were basically chasing me down the hall.
The first day of the new term began tomorrow, but it wouldn’t start until I confronted the shadow hanging over our school.
Cole grabbed my wrist. “What are you going to do?”
“I haven’t gotten that far.”
“At least stop and talk to us.”
“We’ve talked all through break. The talking is done.”
“You can’t risk—”
I shook free and burst through the doors of the boys’ campus. Move-in day was chaos. People were rushing around, too busy to notice me. Even if they did, I didn’t care. I was ending this today.
I stalked down the passage for the dorm building. The boys were one step behind. A few guys gave me curious looks but they didn’t say anything. I wasn’t the only girl around. Mothers, aunts, and sisters were helping their boys unpack. This was my chance to corner him in the only place he could hide from me.
I didn’t slow down until I saw his dorm. I was correct about many things. For All was a guy. He was smart. And he hated the battle system. If only I had put it together sooner.
“Stay here.”
My order triggered a chorus of protests.
“We’re not letting you face him alone,” Landon said. “The guy is unhinged.”
“If all five of us pound on his door, he’ll feel ambushed. I want you all to wait in the staircase too.”
“Fuck that,” Derek stated firmly.
“I’m serious. You need to trust me.”
“We’re not—”
“Ten minutes.” Michael pushed through the boys and grasped my chin. “We’ll give you ten minutes. If you’re not out by then, I’m breaking down the door.”
“Okay.”
“No,” Cole snapped. “Not ten minutes or ten seconds.”
“Zela can handle herself,” Michael replied. “Landon taught her to fight.”
“You throw out the fucking rule book if he comes at you,” Landon said. “Don’t even think the word pacifist.”
“Okay.”
