Cry For Me: (A Dark College/Enemies to Lovers) (Alder Academy Book 3)

by Erin Trejo

  “You look hot, Knox. Stop your whining.”

  “Stop looking at my brother, Whisper,” Steele warns.

  “Why? He’s fucking hot, Steele. All three of you are. I feel like I’m in the middle of the sexy men of Rolling Springs photo shoot!” She laughs. Steele grabs her arm and jerks her into his body with a growl that could stop your heart. His lips are on hers before she has the chance to say anything more. The more they kiss, the hotter it becomes. I can’t stop myself from looking. That’s when I feel breath on my naked shoulder.

  “Is that getting you off, Liz? Making you hot?” I start to step away from Knox when his hand wraps around my stomach and he pulls me back into him. His hard, hot body molds around mine.

  “Please don’t do this tonight,” I ask him. No, I nearly beg him.

  “Do what? Watch the wetness practically drip down your thighs while you watch them? I didn’t peg you for that type of girl but if that’s what you want, I’ll make it happen, Liz.” His words send a surge of heat through my body and I find myself clenching my thighs tighter. Knox’s lips slowly move over my shoulder, his tongue dipping out to drag across my skin. My breathing picks up as his hand slowly moves up my stomach and cups my breast in his large hand.

  “Knox.” I whisper his name not knowing what else to do with myself. He’s messing with my head, my body.

  “You want me, Liz? Admit that you want me,” he says, sucking my flesh into his wet warm mouth. My body practically begs for his touch, for the feeling he gives me.

  “Can we go?” Shane snaps sounding annoyed.

  “Tell me, Liz,” he growls against me. My heart pounds in my chest but the words won’t form on my lips. How can I want a man that has done nothing but taunt me and embarrass me? How can I feel something toward him? When I don’t answer him, Steele steps up in front of me. His hand comes out, trailing a finger along my collarbone before he looks me in the eye.

  “The faster you admit to things, the easier it will be on you,” he says, his tone low and seductive. I look to Whisper to see if she’s bothered at all by him touching me the way he is, but she stands there with a smirk on her face, knowing these men better than me.

  “There’s nothing to admit. Your brother is insane. He broke into my apartment, he embarrasses me at every turn, and now you want me to admit that I want him? Not a chance in hell.” I don’t know how I manage to get the words out with the two of them standing this close but I do. Steele keeps running his fingers up the side of my neck until he reaches my cheek. He cups it in his hand and leans in closely.

  “You’re making a big mistake.” He pulls away and grabs Whisper, leading her to the limo that awaits us. Knox bites down into my shoulder, causing me to whimper before he too pulls away and walks toward the car. I’m left breathless and confused. Callan walks past and then Shane wraps her arm around my waist.

  “They are intense, Liz. They don’t stop until they get what they want,” she says as she leads me toward the car.

  “I don’t know what he wants from me.” Shane laughs a little before she moves to stand in front of me.

  “He wants you. Isn’t that obvious?”

  “No. He’s rude, he’s… he’s an asshole to me.” She smiles and rests a hand on my shoulder.

  “They do that. Don’t ask me why, but they like to be the bad guys, and if you just let him in, you’ll see he’s different,” she says before turning and climbing in. The driver smiles my way as I move to climb in behind Shane. As soon as I’m inside, Knox grabs me and pulls me down next to him. This is going to be a long ride.

  15

  Knox

  Dinner is going good. I’m surprised that we haven’t heard any shit about our dad since we’ve been here. This was his place. We came here for Thanksgiving every year and the owner personally knew him. He must also know that he was a complete asshole that shouldn’t be missed because he is bowing down to kiss our asses tonight. I knew my dad had enemies and people that didn’t truly like him but the damn owner of the restaurant? I never thought I’d see that.

  “You’re tense,” Callan says, pulling my attention. I glance over with my glass of wine in hand and wait for him to continue but he doesn’t.

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are. We can all see it. What’s going on?” I look my little brother in the eye; the little brother that has since grown into a man. It was hard for me to imagine Cal with a child but seeing him with Bella, he was born to be a father, unlike ours.

  “I’m fine. Just thinking about some things.”

  “We’ve never half-assed things, Knox. We do things as a family,” he reminds me. I nod my head and debate telling him about Jeremy, but tonight isn’t the night for that. Tonight, we are celebrating in a way.

  “Not now. Next week,” I tell him, which seems to make him happy. He nods his head and turns back to his food. I glance around the table, watching Steele, Whisper, Shane. And then there’s Liz. The girl that fucks up my head. What am I going to do with her? She must feel my gaze on her, she looks up and our eyes collide. My head slowly tilts to the side as I take her in, trying to figure her out.

  “Excuse me,” she says, setting her napkin on the table and shoving out of her chair. The thought of following her nearly has me getting to my feet, but it’s Steele’s question that stops me.

  “Who is Jeremy Knowles?” My head snaps in his direction, nostrils flaring.

  “Spying now, are you Steele?” He smiles that dark deadly smile of his.

  “No. Just our general upkeep of records.” Sure, that’s what it is. Although I know Steele has been very vigilant with everything since we’ve taken over, so it is possible.

  “It’s a personal matter,” I inform him. Callan coughs before he laughs.

  “No it’s not. Nothing is personal between the three of us, Knox. What is it?”

  “I said it’s not nothing.” Anger slowly begins to creep up on me. I don’t need them sniffing around what I’m doing with Liz or Jeremy. I don’t need the extra stress.

  “Fine. I’ll run his name.” Steele nearly growls the words. I roll my head around my shoulders trying to relieve some of the tension when Whisper stands and motions for Shane to follow her. At least she knows when shit is getting heated enough to walk away. “Spit it the fuck out.”

  “Jeremy is Liz’s brother. He wants his sister to sign off on some insurance policy their mom had.” I tell him the basics. Steele chuckles and leans his elbows on the table, eyeing me.

  “What else?”

  “That’s it.”

  “Don’t you dare lie to me right now, Knox. We’ve never done this shit before.” His anger is warranted. I’m just treading new waters with Liz, and I’m not sure how to handle it all. I swallow hard and mimic the way he’s sitting.

  “Fine. He wants her to either trust me enough to sign them or fear me enough that I can make her sign them.” Callan lets out a low whistle before chuckling.

  “Trust you? Yeah, that’s not going to happen,” he adds.

  “I know that.”

  “So you’re going with fear?” Steele says before shrugging. “It’s probably the best way, but what do you get in the end? Why can’t he handle it himself?”

  “That’s the thing. He’s the one that killed their mother,” I inform the two of them. Steele and Callan share a look before bringing their eyes back to me.

  “You’re kidding me? He’s the one she’s running from?” Callan asks. I nod my head and take a drink of my wine.

  “Seems mom didn’t really have a drug problem unless Liz was around. Jeremy got her all fucked up so that it looked like she did. According to him, it bothered Liz so much that she didn’t hang out much at home unless it was to sleep.” A part of me hated knowing that. That she had to deal with something like that but the other part of me, the sick, dark part wants to know more. It wants to watch her wallow in her own fears.

  “That’s a little crazy,” Steele says, grabbing his drink and taking down the ent
ire glass.

  “It is what it is.”

  “What are you getting out of this? Surely he didn’t offer to pay you,” Callan muses. When I don’t laugh his laughter stops. “Are you shitting me? He offered to pay you?”

  “Yeah, one million dollars. I basically laughed in his face,” I tell them.

  “Okay, so what then? What are you getting?” Steele asks this time.

  “Her.” Steele sits back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest as he looks at me.

  “That seems a little redundant doesn’t it? I mean, you basically already have her.”

  “There’s something about her, Steele.”

  “You don’t think we saw it too? How much her little attitude is so similar to Nina’s?” My eyes shoot to Callan’s but I should have known. They are my brothers, they know me.

  “We see it, Knox, but we didn’t know that’s what was messing with you.” This comes from Steele as I lean back in my chair.

  “I don’t think it’s even all that. Sure, she has the same attitude but it’s different, you know? Liz makes me crazy but I can’t figure out why. I would swear it was because of Nina, but deep down, I know that’s not true,” I admit for the first time to them.

  “Then what is it? You actually like her?” Callan asks. I run my hand over my face, exhausted from this whole conversation already.

  “I don’t know. I like watching her cry for me. I like when she begs me. I like when she doesn’t think that I know what she wants. Fuck!” I growl.

  “Then what are you doing with her? Why help Jeremy?” Callan asks.

  “I like the idea of tormenting her.”

  “Yeah, right into your bed,” Steele chuckles.

  “Maybe.” I shrug. Is that what I like about it? That I can touch her, feel her fear?

  “Well, I think if Jeremy is capable of killing his mom, then his sister isn’t going to be an issue to take out either.” As soon as the words leave Steele’s lips, fury courses through my veins. No one is touching her but me. No one.

  16

  Liz

  “What do you know about his ex?” I ask after talking with Whisper a little about Knox.

  “I don’t know much. I wasn’t around then,” she says when Shane steps closer.

  “She wasn’t but I was. Nina. She was a little off in the head, if you know what I mean.”

  “Knox said she killed herself,” I tell her, remembering that part.

  “She did. She was a druggie. He didn’t want to see that in her and tried to ignore a lot of it. He was always so angry though. She would turn to the drugs instead of asking him for help. It made him crazier, if that’s possible.” She grins.

  “That had to be hard.”

  “It was. The guys tried to help him but he just sort of lost himself. He was hard on himself for a long time, thinking he messed up and it was his fault she did it. He still blames himself,” Shane adds. I nod my head because I can believe that part. I saw how he looked when he talked about her. Having enough of the conversation, I look at Whisper.

  “Think we need to get back out there before your man goes all caveman and stalks in here?” She throws her head back laughing before she nods.

  “Yeah, you’re probably right. I just hope this night doesn’t drag on. I hate wearing dresses,” she whines.

  “That makes two of us,” Shane adds.

  “Well count me in too. This is the most uncomfortable thing ever.” The three of us laugh as we head out of the bathroom. We’re still giggling when we start past the dance floor. Just then, someone grabs my arm. I nearly jump out of my skin when I turn ready to fight.

  “Liz. I thought that was you,” Tommy says with a smile on his face.

  “Hey, what are you doing here?” I ask as I take him in. He isn’t as drop dead gorgeous as the Alder men but he is hot. He’s wearing a tuxedo much like the guys have on, except he doesn’t have his jacket on. His white button-up shirt is unbuttoned at the top and his tanned skin shows beneath. He looks damn good.

  “Me and my sister wanted to try something new for Thanksgiving. It’s only the two of us,” he says as I watch his mouth. What am I doing? Knox will lose his mind if he sees me talking to him. But what do I care? He’s rude and doesn’t own me.

  “That’s nice. This is my first time here as well. Some of my friends invited me along so here I am.”

  “I’m glad I ran into you. I know it’s unprofessional but I was going to ask for your number. I understand if you think it’s odd but I—”

  “Sure.”

  “Um, yeah? I’m sure there’s some rule about it at school. You aren’t in any of my classes though, so that may not be an issue. I just… I don’t know, wanted to talk to you, get to know you more.” Tommy’s words are what any girl would want to hear. He isn’t much older than me. I can tell by looking at him, but the fact that Knox is a stalker could cause an issue. Why am I even thinking about him right now? He just wants to torture me.

  “I understand. I don’t think it’ll be a problem either.” Tommy smiles and pulls his phone out, passing it to me. I put my number in and pass it back when I feel someone behind me.

  “Professor. How fancy seeing you here,” Steele says with an amused voice. I open my mouth but there’s nothing to say.

  “It’s a nice place. How is your Thanksgiving, Mr. Alder?”

  “It’s great. Hopefully it stays that way.” I can hear the way he says it and the words are directed at me. His hand comes to rest on my shoulder but I shrug him off. Steele laughs and walks away when Tommy brings his gaze back to mine.

  “Steele?” he asks with a questioning look in his eye.

  “No! Oh God, no. I’m friends with his girlfriend, Whisper, and his brother’s girlfriend.” Tommy seems to relax at my words which is almost a little amusing. People begin to fill the dance floor as music plays over the speakers. Tommy smiles and extends his hand, holding his palm up toward me.

  “Would you dance with me?” I almost hesitate. I almost say no, but then something inside of me says to do it. I slip my hand into his with a smile on my face and let him lead me out onto the floor. His hands wrap around my waist, pulling me closer as we begin to move. My arms slip around his neck and there is just something about this moment that doesn’t feel right.

  “So you dance, I know that much. What else do you enjoy doing?”

  “I don’t dance a lot. It was more for something to do. I don’t usually stay in one spot too long.”

  “Ah, you move around a lot. Do you like traveling?” he asks.

  “Not as much as you’d think.”

  “Rolling Springs is a nice place to live. Great schools, nice people,” he says.

  “Yeah, my cousin lives here. He owns a tattoo shop.”

  “Is that reason enough for you to stick around?” he asks. I shrug my shoulders when I feel warmth behind me. I don’t need to turn to see it’s him. I can feel Knox. Tommy stops moving, his eyes going behind me. I close my eyes and try to tamp down the anger that is slowly seeping into my veins. I hate that he thinks he controls everything. Controls me. When Tommy starts to pull his hands free, I reach down and grab them, keeping them in place.

  “We’re dancing.”

  “And now you’re done,” Knox growls behind me.

  “No, we’re not.” Tommy looks torn as to what to do but I keep my hands on his, not really allowing him to move. I’m sure he could if he really wanted to, but he hasn’t yet.

  “You want to play this game here in front of everyone, Liz? You want me to make a scene?” Knox’s words hold a threat that I know is real. He will make a scene, and it will be me and only me that feels the wrath of everyone’s judgement. I slowly release the hold I have on Tommy’s hands and let mine fall to my sides.

  “I’m really sorry. Thank you for the dance,” I apologize. Tommy grins and nods his head, but before he can say anything else, Knox steps around me, blocking my view of him. Feeling pissed off, I spin on my heel and stalk back toward the
table where I find Whisper. I drop into the chair next to her and sigh. She knows what’s happening, she can see it all.

  “Smart choice,” Callan says with a grin.

  “Was it really a choice?” I snap. He chuckles and looks back toward the dance floor where it seems to be getting a little heated between Knox and Tommy. Neither of his brother’s make a move to go intervene. Instead, they watch with smirks on their faces. Assholes. Having enough of all this, I stand and head for the door. As far as I’m concerned, dinner is over. Stepping out into the cool air, I shiver.

  “That was smart of you to walk away.” Damn it. Why does his voice affect me? Why does he affect me? I want nothing more than to snap his damn beautiful neck.

  “Why are you doing this to me? Don’t you have other girls you can torture and torment? Why me?” I spin around to face him and instantly he has me pulled into his chest. His lips are like fire as they burn against mine. He backs me up until my body hits the brick of the building, and I gasp into his mouth. The brick scrapes at my flesh but I don’t care. All I can feel is Knox surrounding me, dissolving me into a pool of nothing.

  His lips move from mine and down my neck, licking and sucking as he goes. His warm breath is a tease against my cool flesh.

  “Why do you hate me?” I whisper. Knox doesn’t stop.

  “I don’t fucking hate you.” His voice rattles my insides. He doesn’t hate me? Then what is all this? Why is he doing this?

  “I’m confused.”

  “Good. Stay that way for a little longer, Liz.” Then I hear the word that I never thought I’d hear from him. “Please.”

  17

  Knox

  What the hell is wrong with me? Why did I ask her that? Why the fuck did I say please?

  “You like her.” I flip Callan off as I continue to pace the living room.

  “He’s not wrong,” Steele adds. What the fuck is this? Gang up on Knox night?