FEUD (A Bad Boy Romance)

by Mia Carson

  “Family meeting,” she muttered darkly. “Don’t ask.”

  “You can vent to me later tonight then,” he promised and gave her leg one final squeeze before he pulled away. She leaned her shoulder into his and sighed before she stood up and slung her tote over her shoulder. “Jo?”

  She turned, and though she didn’t smile for sake of the people around them, her eyes glimmered with the grin she wanted to share with him. “What?” she asked roughly.

  He picked up the pen off her desk—the one with the perfect cap, never touched by an anxious set of teeth—and held it up to her. “Your pen. You want it or not?” He winked as he said it and loved how her body gave a little shiver before she snatched it.

  “Guess I should be grateful. Thanks,” she muttered and turned to meet her friend coming from the other side of the room.

  They walked out together, and Reider leaned back in his seat, enjoying the view of her ass in the skintight jeans she wore. Tommy called out to him, and Reider said he’d be right there as he picked up his leather bag and dropped it over his shoulder. He took his report to the desk and was about to drop it and leave when Ashford stopped him.

  “Reider, mind if we share a word?” he asked, the light glinting off his bald head.

  “Something wrong?” he asked, worried he’d screwed up one of the assignments—or worse, his parents were asking questions about the class and who was in it.

  “No, not at all. I have something to discuss with you,” he said and stacked the reports together. He tucked them under his arm and picked up his bag. “Walk with me to my office? Unless you have somewhere else you need to be.”

  Reider waved Tommy off and turned back to Ashford. “No, I’m good to talk for a few minutes.”

  He followed Ashford to his office down the corridor and sat down in front of the desk as his professor closed the door behind them. “So, I wanted to check in and see how you and Johanna were getting along. Everything seems to be in order so far,” he said as he sat down.

  “Yeah, we’re managing alright,” he said in a neutral voice. “We both need the class, so no reason making it difficult on each other.”

  Ashford’s lips twitched in a smile that said he knew too much. “I see. Is that why you two are so… close now during my class?”

  Reider tensed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “You know, Reider, I study people for a living. It's part of my job. I pick up on the slightest changes in the actions of people, and those minor actions say many things,” he said and leaned back in his chair. “I think you and Johanna have found something by working together.”

  “Right, like how annoying she is?” he snapped and hoped Ashford would back off.

  The man barked a laugh. “You can quit the act. No one is here but us, and I’m not going to tattle to your parents—or hers.”

  Reider stared at him long and hard before he sagged in the chair and hung his head. “Is it that obvious?” he asked finally, and Ashford laughed lightly. “Damn, we can’t let anyone know. And I mean anyone, or it’ll ruin us both.”

  Ashford leaned forward and nodded. “You won’t hear anything from me. I sensed you needed someone to talk to about it, though. You two look like you’re ready to bust, and the fake fighting with each other before and after class… No one else might be able to see through it, but be careful. If you go overboard, your friends will pick up on it.”

  Reider nodded and blew out a breath. “I'm not going to lie, it’s a relief for someone else to know.”

  “I can imagine,” he agreed. “I must admit, when I partnered you together, I simply hoped you two would find a way to become friends, but this is certainly better.”

  “I knew it,” Reider announced as he smacked his hand on the chair arm. “I knew you did this on purpose.”

  “Your families have feuded too damn long, and everyone in the town knows it,” Ashford said with a shrug. “I figured I would try my hand at ending some part of it.”

  Reider grinned with him until he realized that though his professor was alright with his relationship with Johanna, it meant nothing when it came to what his parents would do when they found out. “Might be a great thing, but I’m not sure how long it’ll last. We’re treading on thin ice, trying to be together, and you know as well as I do what will happen if we’re found out.”

  “I do, but for the time being, know you have at least one ally you can talk to. If either side starts growing suspicious, I’ll throw them off the trail the best I can,” he promised.

  “Why would you help us?” he asked. “Our families donate a chunk to the college. You could lose your job if you’re not careful.”

  “Eh, I’ve had offers from other colleges. I’ll survive,” he scoffed. “But you and Johanna, you two can do something great if your families stay out of the way. You could end the feud or, if nothing else, escape for good.” He shuffled some papers on his desk and glanced at his watch. “Well, I have another class in ten minutes, but you are more than welcome to stop by any time to talk to me. Really.”

  He held out his hand. and Reider shook it, some of the anxiety weighing him down falling off his shoulders. “Thanks, Professor.”

  As he left Ashford’s office, his cell dinged. He stepped to the side when he saw Johanna’s number and read the message, asking him if everything was alright. She had seen him go into the office with Ashford before she left the building. He wasn’t sure how she would react to their professor knowing about their relationship, so he told her the professor had a question about his report from the week before, nothing to worry about. He didn’t want to lie to her, but they were on dangerous ground and any added worry could cause a slip.

  “There you are,” Micah said loudly, and Reider groaned inwardly as his cousin hurried his way. “I’ve been waiting to leave. Let’s go home.”

  “You know, you do have a car,” Reider reminded him as they walked. He wanted to catch another glimpse of Johanna. “You could drive yourself to and from campus so you’re not always waiting on me.”

  “I’m not ready for that yet,” he said with a shrug. “Besides, it needs to be fixed up.”

  “So? You’re one of the wealthiest people in the state. Take it to a shop and get it looked at.”

  “Can’t. My money’s tied up, remember?”

  Reider slowed and turned to drag Micah out of the way of other people walking. “Yeah, about that, Micah—I really think you need to talk to someone about this paranoia. Your parents had an accident, and you need to accept that.”

  Micah’s whole body tensed, and he sneered at Reider. “You really think that, even after I told you I had proof?”

  “What proof? It was a drunk driver who hit you, and one having nothing to do with the Chadwicks.”

  “Right, so if that’s the case, why was that particular drunk on that two-lane road at the right moment? That guy doesn’t even live around that area, had no reason to be out there!”

  “Keep your voice down,” Reider whispered as several people stopped to stare at the two cousins. “We can talk about this at home.”

  “No, I’m done talking to you about it. Why don’t you think it’s them? You like their family all of a sudden?” he snapped, stepping closer until he was right in Reider’s face. He glared at him intently, his swamp green eyes looking sickly with his delusions of murder and conspiracy.

  Reider gripped his shoulders hard and gave him a little shake. “No. You know I never would, but accidents happen. You can’t blame someone else because you can’t get over the loss.”

  “Right,” Micah said quietly and crossed his arms over his chest. “Where were you all weekend?”

  Stepping back, surprised by the abrupt topic change, Reider cleared his throat and glared. “I was at the station out on the ranch.”

  “Are you sure that’s where you were?”

  “I’m pretty sure I know where I spent my weekend. Are you sure you didn’t spend the whole time wrapped in your delusions
of killers and drinking yourself into oblivion again? Who dragged your sorry ass home this time? I’m sure my parents would love to know you’re out binging every night and that’s why you’ve been missing half your morning classes.”

  “You’re the one who takes me every morning,” he argued.

  “Yes, and you’re the one who goes to the library to sleep in one of the study nooks. I’ve seen you there enough times.” Reider hung his head when Micah’s face contorted with rage. “Listen, stay out of my business, and I’ll stay out of yours, deal?” He held out his hand, waiting for Micah to shake, but his cousin shook his head once and stormed off, yelling at people to move out of his way.

  Reider leaned back against the wall and ignored everyone’s stares as they passed. He’d hoped Micah would’ve gotten over his parents’ death by now or at least dropped the idea that they were murdered. He wondered if the PI was even legit or if he was simply feeding a rich, distraught son what he wanted to hear for the paychecks. Reider needed the name of the guy so he could track him down and force him to stop before Micah did some real damage to himself or someone else. Telling his parents would be the easiest course of action, but did Micah really know Benny was the one at the station over the weekend and not Reider?

  The idea of his cousin finding out about him and Johanna made Reider’s gut twist, and his hands curled in rage. That bastard would ruin everything if he found out the truth, but there was no way he could know. Reider was careful—extremely careful—to make sure Micah didn’t follow him or have any idea about the barn.

  They were safe. Reider had to keep believing they were safe. If Micah knew, with his sudden urge for vengeance against the Chadwicks, Reider doubted he would remain silent. He gripped the strap of his bag and exited the building, stalking towards his Wrangler and taking one last long look across the parking lot. By chance, he caught sight of Johanna’s Coupe as it made a turn down his row. Her window was down, and as she passed, she winked at him before hitting the accelerator and speeding off. Reider smirked and fished his keys out from his pocket. He circled around a truck parked by his Wrangler and flinched when he saw Micah waiting at the passenger side door, his face drawn in suspicion.

  “You sure you want to ride home with me?” Reider snapped, wondering what Micah saw.

  “I’m not walking, and I don’t have money for a cab.”

  “You would if you’d stop feeding it to the con-man you’re having investigate a car accident,” he argued and climbed in. He slammed the door shut—a door he had not wanted to put back on—but after a heated argument with him and his dad about taking care of his fragile cousin, Reider had no say in the matter. “You getting in or not?”

  Micah grumbled under his breath but pulled himself up and in. Reider started the engine and peeled out of the parking lot, purposely speeding and whipping around turns until Micah yelled at him to stop as his white-knuckled hands pressed against the dashboard. Reider smirked and took a right turn quickly enough to squeal the tires.

  “Slow down, you bastard,” Micah snarled.

  “Why? I thought you liked my driving,” Reider replied and pressed the pedal to the floor to make it through a yellow light. “What’s wrong? Maybe you should drive yourself from now on.”

  They reached home in record time, and Micah’s hands shook as he undid his seatbelt and pointed an accusing finger at Reider. “Don’t think you’re going to scare me off. I know what you’re up to.”

  “And what would that be?” Reider turned off the Wrangler and pulled the keys out, but Micah’s hand closed around his tightly. “Let go,” he warned, pulling at his hand, but Micah’s face darkened menacingly as he leaned in close.

  “I know you’re hiding something and it has to do with the Chadwicks. I’ll find out, and you’ll be ruined like I was,” he promised and let go, hightailing it out of the Wrangler before Reider could think of anything to say in return.

  His cousin disappeared inside, but Reider couldn’t move his body from the vehicle. He sat in his seat as the realization hit him that he’d underestimated his cousin and the craziness, rather than grief, filling him. Micah was growing dangerous, and if he did find out—if he followed Reider around—he would figure out that he and Johanna were together. He would have to tell her the next time he saw her and figure out a way around his cousin’s sudden interest in his life. For tonight, he wouldn’t worry about it and considered telling his parents about the PI, but revealing that much had him on edge.

  All Micah had to do to set Reider’s parents off was drop hints that their son was somehow involved with a Chadwick. His dad would lose it, and any hope Reider had of swaying his parents’ minds to let him handle the cattle side of the business would disappear in a shot. He loved his family, was loyal to their business and the name, but at the same time, he was tired of the constant competition between the two families.

  Professor Ashford was right. The fight had gone on long enough, and Reider was not going to be a part of it. On Wednesday, he’d talk to Johanna and a plan that would take them both out of the city and far from the reach of their families.

  Chapter 11

  All day Tuesday, Reider and Johanna texted because they couldn’t see each other due to her brothers watching her closely and his dealing with Micah. Reider needed to hold her, to feel her skin beneath his hands, and it killed him that he couldn’t drive to her house, pick her up for the day, and drive off like a normal couple. No ideas had come to him of how they would pull off an escape, and he worried Micah would catch on at some point.

  Johanna’s messages sounded as desperate as he felt, and he knew she pictured their weekend and any others like it slipping away. It might’ve only been a few days, but it was so much longer in his mind since Reider merely held her hand or kissed her lips. All Tuesday night, he paced his room until midnight came and went, and he wracked his mind for a place for them to go tomorrow during classes. They had a break around the same time. His mind threatened to lose it if he didn’t hold her soon.

  In his pacing, his eyes landed on a key sitting on his desk. “You idiot,” he muttered and picked it up, smacking himself in the forehead. “You dumb bastard. You have a dorm room.”

  Too excited to sleep, Reider texted Johanna and told her he had a surprise for her tomorrow that would give them a chance to see each other alone on campus. He told her to let him know if she’d be in class tomorrow. She didn’t respond until the next morning. Her message was the first thing he saw when he picked up his cell, and he grinned. She promised to be there and wanted to know what he had up his sleeve.

  Even Micah didn’t annoy him with his dour face and onslaught of questions about the previous weekend. Reider hummed along with the radio and simply turned it up when Micah kept talking. When they reached campus, his cousin rushed off and Reider whistled on his way to his first class. A dorm room, all to themselves, and he had the only key. As long as no one saw them go in or leave together, they could be alone whenever they wanted while on campus. That room was the perfect solution to their current predicament.

  Maybe they would have a chance to discuss their future and work out a plan they could both live with. After his first class, he swung by Ashford’s office and smiled at the man sitting behind his desk.

  “Ah, Reider, come in, come in,” Ashford said.

  Reider did so, but he didn’t take a seat. “Can you do me a favor?”

  Ashford set down his pen and nodded. “I shall do my best, unless it’s about your grade.” He raised a brow until Reider shook his head. “Then ask away.”

  Reider took the dorm room key and held it out to his professor. “Give this to Johanna when she comes by your office in an hour. Please.”

  “A key?”

  “Yes. Will you be here?”

  Ashford tucked the key safely away in his drawer as he nodded seriously. “I have office hours up until our class starts, so yes, I will be here. Tell her if my door is closed to announce herself. I’ll make sure she gets it.” Reider th
anked him again, grinning madly, and turned for the door. “Reider, does she know I know?”

  “Not yet, but I’ll let her know we have at least one person who won’t treat us like outcasts,” Reider said over his shoulder.

  Ashford chuckled. “No, that is something I would never do. See you in class.”

  Once out in the hall, Reider texted Johanna and told her to head to Ashford’s office when she could and there’d be a key. Once she had it, she was to go to the dorm building he mentioned and find the specific room number, which he included, and said he would be along shortly after. All she had to do was trust him. His chest aching with the longing to feel her body pressed against his nearly drove him mad, and he walked around campus, not speaking to anyone, and held his cell tightly in his hand, waiting for her message. His phone vibrated after what felt like an eternity. The message said she was in the room, waiting for him, and added why the hell hadn’t he mentioned it before.

  “Wish I knew,” he whispered and sent a reply saying he was on his way.

  Reider tucked his cell away, took one long look around the quad, and walked as quickly as he could, without running, towards the dorms. His room was on the ground floor near several study rooms, but no one recognized him so he passed them and didn’t stop until he reached room fifteen. He fumbled with the knob while texting Johanna to say he was there. It would look strange if he didn’t have a key to his own dorm.

  The lock clicked open a second later, and he opened the door. The light was off, and he walked in, closed the door, and locked it behind him before he turned around. “Johanna,” he said, but it was all he managed to get out of his mouth.

  Johanna sat on the bed he’d made before he was told he would be living at home. Her clothes were scattered all over the floor, and as he let his bag drop to the floor, she smirked and spread her legs. Groaning roughly, Reider stalked across the room and took the hand she offered him. She pulled him closer and pressed his hand against her cheek.