Cruel Love

by Kate Brian

  Suddenly the room erupted in whispers and chatter.

  “Who resigns from Stone and Grave?”

  “He’s gotta be kidding.”

  “Doesn’t he realize he just made enemies of all the alumni?”

  Ariana folded the letter, reinforcing the fold with a violent slip of her fingers, then shoved it toward April.

  “I believe you’re going to need that for our records.”

  April took the note and tossed it into her notebook, slamming the cover over it. Ariana felt her blood pressure slowly rising, her heartbeat thrumming angrily in her ears. Palmer had done this to punish her. Clearly he was trying to show the brotherhood that he thought her so unworthy he’d sacrifice everything Stone and Grave offered just to oppose her.

  Well, it was his loss. And in truth, he’d done her a huge favor. Palmer was out. She would never have to deal with him again.

  “Silence, please!” Ariana shouted.

  It took a couple of moments, but after some shushing from other members, the cave finally fell quiet. Ariana took in a long, deep breath and blew it out through her nose. She would not let the brotherhood see her sweat. Palmer had no idea what he was talking about. Ariana did deserve to be here. She was a straight-A student, a valued member of the tennis team and the lit magazine, she’d stood out in her pledge class, and Soomie had basically credited her and Maria for bringing her back from the edge. No one at this school deserved to be president of Stone and Grave more than she did.

  “Well,” Ariana said finally, calmly. “It looks as if we’re going to need a new vice president.”

  She glanced at Soomie and grinned, looking for all the world like Palmer’s note, his opinion, couldn’t have mattered less.

  “Are there any nominations?”

  BACK ON TRACK

  “Welcome back, Soomie!”

  Maria lifted her glass of sparkling water in a toast as Ariana and Tahira cheered. Soomie blushed and clinked glasses with them over the table in the center of one of Soomie’s favorite DC locales, Busboys and Poets. It was a cozy, dimly lit grill and bar on one side, and a well-stocked independent bookstore on the other—a place Soomie frequented so often she knew the waitstaff by name.

  “We would have come up with something far more fabulous if you’d given us a little notice,” Tahira lamented, sipping her soda. She’d been thwarted when she’d tried to order a red wine and the waiter had laughed at her fake ID. The girl had been pouting ever since.

  “Actually, this is great,” Soomie said, placing her glass down. “It’s perfect.” She took a deep breath and blew it out. “It’s good to be back.”

  “It’s good to have you back,” Ariana said with a warm smile.

  “Thanks.” Soomie sat up a bit straighter as their salads arrived. A raucous group of tweed-clad men by the bar laughed loudly, and the decibel level in the room seemed to grow. “And besides, it sounds like these two are throwing you the party of the decade tomorrow, so that should be plenty fabulous for me,” Soomie said, raising her voice to be heard over the din.

  “Party of the decade, huh?” Ariana asked, eyeing Maria and Tahira with interest. “Sounds like you guys have been hard at work.”

  “You have no idea,” Maria said with a sigh. She plucked an olive slice off her salad, popped it in her mouth and pointed across the small square table at Tahira. “This one’s a slave driver.”

  “All for a good cause,” Tahira replied blithely. “Does the president of S and G deserve anything less?”

  Ariana grinned. She loved how everyone kept bringing up her new position of power. Now that she’d run her first meeting, even more calls and gifts had been rolling in, all from Stone and Grave members in high places. After opening up the truckload of boxes the UPS driver had delivered right to her door that morning, she was now the proud owner of a full set of Tocca candles, two iPads, a new laptop, a mink coat, the entire Ralph Lauren spring line, and more baubles and jewels than she could count.

  As her friends dug into their salads, Ariana’s phone began to vibrate next to her plate. She shot the girls an apologetic look and eyed the screen. After all, a woman in her position couldn’t just ignore calls, texts, and e-mails. What if it was important S and G business? The e-mail was from a name she vaguely recognized, and the subject was “Congratulations!”

  Ariana smiled and clicked it open.

  Dear Miss Covington,

  I’m writing to congratulate you on your unexpected but much-deserved ascendency to the highest position in Stone and Grave. I’ve heard through our efficient grapevine that Princeton University is your school of choice. As a valued and high-ranking member of the Princeton Alumni Association, I’m writing to let you know that I’d be happy to help you along in the interview and application process and write you a letter of recommendation when the time comes. Feel free to contact me at any time.

  Sincerely,

  Geralyn Montrose, ESQ

  Atherton-Pryce Hall Alumna

  Princeton Alumna

  “What is it?” Maria asked, munching on a single crouton. “You look like you just got excused from finals.”

  “Did you?” Tahira asked, quite seriously.

  “No. But it’s just as good,” Ariana said, tucking her phone away. “It looks like I’ll have no trouble getting into Princeton now, thanks to S and G.”

  “Was there ever any doubt?” Soomie asked, spearing a cucumber with her fork. “You’ve got one of the highest GPAs in our class.”

  Ariana lifted her shoulders modestly. “Every little bit helps, right?” She held back a laugh and smoothed her hands over her napkin in her lap. “But enough about me. This is Soomie’s night.”

  “So where have you been all this time, anyway?” Tahira asked Soomie. “Loony bin?”

  “Tahira!” Maria scolded.

  Soomie laughed. “No, actually. I was at a spa in Antigua with my mom. And guys? We totally have to go back there together. That place was heaven.”

  As Maria and Tahira peppered Soomie with questions about her vacation, Ariana surreptitiously read Geralyn Montrose’s e-mail again, keeping the phone under the table. Her giddiness nearly overwhelmed her. She was going to go to Princeton. She was going to graduate and go to Princeton and have the life she’d always wanted. The life she deserved. All she had to do was get rid of Meloni, and everything would be back on track.

  LAST MEAL

  “You do realize my birthday is tomorrow,” Ariana said as Jasper led her, blindfolded, through a door and into a quiet room. From the sounds she had heard on their way here, she was pretty sure they were in a hotel—the lobby noise, the soft elevator ping, and the click of the electronic key had given it away—and she wondered if any of the patrons downstairs had alerted the police to her predicament. Of course, if she’d really been in the process of being kidnapped, she probably wouldn’t have been giggling all the way across the lobby.

  “I realize,” Jasper said in her ear.

  “And you also realize that one of these days you’re going to have to stop blindfolding me,” she joked.

  Jasper ran his hands lightly over her shoulders, pushing her coat off and onto the floor. Ariana’s breath caught as the mink grazed her ankles.

  “Oh. But it’s so much fun,” Jasper whispered, sending shivers all down her back as he lightly kissed her neck.

  He turned her around and walked her a few more paces into the room, then whipped the blindfold off. It took a couple of seconds for Ariana’s eyes to focus, but when they did, her breath was truly taken away. In front of her was a huge, bay window looking out over Capitol Hill. The dome of the Capitol building shone in the distance, illuminated like a bright white beacon. But the view wasn’t the only spectacular sight. Arranged in front of the window was a small dining table with a linen tablecloth and several silver plates, covered by crystal domes. The scents of garlic and rosemary filled Ariana’s senses, and she saw a basket of southern biscuits arranged at the center of it all.

  “How did yo
u—?”

  “My mother told me how much you missed your mother’s cooking,” Jasper said. “I know this isn’t exactly the same, but …”

  “Jasper,” she said, turning to face him. “This is amazing.”

  “Happy birthday,” Jasper replied, leaning in for a long, lingering kiss.

  Ariana smiled, her lips buzzing. She couldn’t have asked for a more perfect night. There was no place in the world she would rather be than here with Jasper. But as he reached for her hands, her heart pounded suddenly with the unknown. Come Saturday, she was going to start putting her plans into action. After all was said and done, she would be safe from discovery, safe from Meloni, safe from everything. Unless something went wrong. If something went wrong …

  She couldn’t even think of the alternative without shuddering.

  “Are you cold?” Jasper asked, reaching his arms around her.

  She shook her head and looked down, suddenly overwhelmed, afraid her voice might crack if she tried to speak. She simply couldn’t bear the thought of having to say good-bye to Jasper.

  Ariana took in a long breath and blew it out through her mouth. “I’m fine, really. It’s just … you didn’t have to do all this.”

  “Of course I did,” he said simply, lifting his shoulders. “I love you.”

  Ariana swallowed hard and looked intently into his eyes. “How much?”

  Jasper blinked, taken aback, but smiled. “I’d do anything for you. You know that.”

  “Anything?” Ariana asked.

  He adjusted his arms on her waist, drawing her even closer. His forehead pressed against hers. Their noses touched. She could smell the mint on his breath.

  “I’d go to the ends of the earth for you, Briana Leigh Covington.”

  Ariana’s heart expanded with warmth. Her smile widened, even as the tears threatened to overflow. He couldn’t have said anything more perfect. She tilted her head and touched her lips to his, gently at first. But she soon found she couldn’t control her emotions and she began to press harder and harder, holding onto him as tightly as she could. Hoping she’d never have to let go.

  Jasper’s hand moved up her back and into her hair, cupping the back of her head. She shoved his jacket back from his shoulders and he shook it to the ground, edging her backward toward the bed. Never letting her lips leave his, Ariana tumbled onto her back, tugging him with her, and kicked her sling-back heels onto the floor. Jasper unzipped her dress, she unbuttoned his shirt, he slid his hands up under her skirt, she grasped at his bare waistline with hungry fingers.

  “Wait,” Jasper said suddenly, breaking away.

  “What?” Ariana gasped. Her lips were swollen and her very skin throbbed. “You don’t want to stop, do you?”

  “No, I just … your food. It’s gonna get cold,” he said, his brow creased.

  “Screw the food,” Ariana replied.

  Jasper grinned and she pulled his bare chest against hers, letting go of everything—of Meloni, of Reed, of the future—and giving herself entirely to Jasper Montgomery.

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY

  “Wait until you see inside!” Maria gushed, practically dragging Ariana and Jasper toward the double doors of the club Tahira had rented out for the birthday celebration. “We’ve completely outdone ourselves.”

  Ariana shivered with anticipation inside her white cashmere coat as Jasper squeezed her hand. She could hear the bass line of the music pounding from inside, and a screech of excitement wafted through the cold night air. For a moment, she paused at the threshold, letting Jasper reach for the door. This was it. The beginning of the biggest night of her life. She looked around, taking in the starry night sky, the twinkling lights decorating the topiary trees on the slate patio, the crisp scent of pine that hung in the air, and just like that she knew.

  This was going to be a good night.

  “Mademoiselle?” Jasper said, arching his eyebrows and gesturing politely at the open door. “Your celebration awaits.”

  Ariana grinned and stepped inside. Past a coat check and a pair of thick velvet curtains, the cavernous club opened up before them. Ariana’s breath was completely taken away. Every single surface was covered with mirrors and clear crystals of all shapes and sizes. They glittered on the walls and hung from the ceiling in strands and swaths. The cocktail tables along the periphery of the hall were adorned with silver tablecloths and the centerpieces were filled with sparkling jewels. Hundreds of people crowded the dance floor, holding their champagne glasses aloft, reveling in the sheer decadence of it all.

  “Happy birthday, Ana!” Soomie called out, running over and throwing her arms around Ariana’s neck. She wore a dark gray full-skirted dress and black heels and looked relaxed and happy as she pulled away. “Wow. You look all … glowy tonight.”

  “I feel glowy,” Ariana replied with a laugh. And she did. Tonight nothing and no one could touch her. Tonight, she was the star.

  “Do you love it?” Tahira asked, appearing at Ariana’s other side. While Soomie’s dress was elegant, Tahira’s was more MTV Video Awards red carpet. She wore a short, low-cut silver dress and the highest heels Ariana had ever seen, the toes encrusted with diamonds. “The theme is On the Rocks,” Tahira announced, spreading her fingers wide.

  “I love it!” Ariana exclaimed. “It’s like partying inside a diamond.”

  Jasper slipped her coat from her shoulders, exposing the chic, aqua-blue sheath underneath. Maria took off her own mink jacket as well, to reveal a halter-necked black dress that just skimmed her knees and made her look impossibly slim. Jasper, gentleman that he was, hurried off over to the coat check desk with both girls’ coats and bags.

  “That was the idea!” Tahira cried, her eyes wide. “Happy birthday, Ana!” She gripped Ariana into a tight hug and gave her two huge air kisses.

  “Thank you so much, Tahira. And you, too, Maria,” Ariana said, reaching for Maria’s hand. “This is like a dream come true.”

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help plan it, but clearly they didn’t need me,” Soomie said.

  “I’m just glad you’re here tonight,” Ariana assured her. “I couldn’t have asked for a better gift.”

  Soomie smiled, but Tahira scoffed. “Yeah, wait until you see the gift table,” Tahira said, leaning toward her ear. “You’ll be singing a different tune.”

  “Really?” Ariana asked, her eyes bright as she imagined piles and piles of elegantly wrapped presents, all with her name on them.

  Thank you, Briana Leigh, for being born in December, Ariana thought happily. This party was exactly the kind of distraction she needed and the kind of celebration she knew she deserved.

  “Well? Are you ready to greet your public?” Jasper asked, rubbing his hands together as he returned to her side. His sharply cut black suit fit him perfectly, and the light blue tie made his eyes seem even bluer than usual. He’d combed his hair back from his face and looked elegant and sophisticated—the perfect date for the perfect night.

  “So ready,” Ariana replied.

  Maria pushed her long brown hair behind her shoulders. “Then let’s do this, birthday girl.”

  Ariana grinned, and walked with her friends into the main hall.

  “So let me tell you what the deal is,” Maria offered, hooking her arm around Ariana’s. She escorted her further into the room, where a few of Ariana’s friends from school shouted their greetings and called out, “Happy birthday!”

  “Clearly, this is the dance floor, but we have the upstairs lounge as well if you want to escape the mayhem for a few minutes.” Maria pointed toward two sets of stairs at the back of the room, winding up in opposite directions toward a gallery area above. “Then, outside, we have the entire outdoor deck, which overlooks the water.” She moved swiftly to the outskirts of the dance floor, trailing Soomie, Tahira, and Jasper toward a glass wall with several clear doors closed to keep out the cold. “As you can see, there’s a hot tub out there. We’re already taking bets on who’ll get drunk enough to be
the first skinny-dipper.”

  “Bet on me!” Tahira shouted, raising her arm. “I don’t even need to be drunk.”

  Ariana cracked up laughing. “Thanks for the warning.”

  “This party gets better and better,” Jasper joked.

  “And just wait until you see your birthday cake!” Soomie exclaimed, raising all ten fingers. “It’s incredible.”

  “I can’t wait,” Ariana replied.

  “So? What do you want to do first?” Jasper asked, slipping his arm around her waist.

  Ariana scanned the room, taking it all in—the happy faces, the gyrating bodies, the winking lights, the sparkling crystals. She felt so giddy she could have burst open like a bottle of Taittinger.

  “Suddenly all I want to do is dance,” she said with a grin.

  “Woo-hoo!” Tahira cheered, throwing her arms over her head.

  Jasper took Ariana’s hand as the others laughed. “Your wish is my command.”

  After diving into the crowd, Ariana found that getting to the center of the dance floor was easy as pie. Everyone moved out of the way of the guest of honor and her entourage, and before long, she was moving to the beat with her best friends and boyfriend around her. Soon, Adam, Landon, and Rob had joined them, and Ariana smiled wider each time her entourage grew. She could feel the eyes of the crowd on her, and never before had she felt so entitled to the attention. Everything was as it should be. This was her night. She was the hottest girl at one of the most prestigious schools in the world. Everyone knew her name. Everyone wanted to be near her.

  Life was perfect.

  Then, she opened her eyes. And the entire world stopped spinning. There, right there, standing at the top of the dance floor scanning the crowd, was Dr. Victor Meloni in the flesh. Ariana froze and took one of Tahira’s wayward elbows to the side.