Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 184867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 924(@200wpm)___ 739(@250wpm)___ 616(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 184867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 924(@200wpm)___ 739(@250wpm)___ 616(@300wpm)
“Like what?”
He waves his hand around. “I don’t know. Use your charm and wit. You have that.”
“Not as much as you,” Caleb says.
“Speak for yourself, Caleb,” I say. “And Blaine … he’s right. You haven’t been yourself lately. You’ve been sneaking off an awful lot. Care to explain?”
His face grows a little redder than usual, and he shoves a handful of blueberries into his mouth. “I’ve been training.”
“You’re a black belt. You don’t need training,” I point out.
“That’s not for you to decide,” he responds, folding his arms. “Besides, I’d like to be prepared for the worst. You make a lot of enemies during your business dealings, especially when it concerns your father’s company.”
Hmm …
Well, that much is true.
Still, I feel like he’s not telling me the full truth. But I can’t make him tell me either. Blaine only talks when he wants to. Thanks to his impeccable training, no amount of torture could ever compel him.
“Fine. I guess you two have been busy,” I say, folding my arms too. “All the more reason to let off some steam. There’s a girl out there who knows what we do and could spill details at any moment. The only hold we have over her is her mother. It’s time to crush her last remaining resistance. Why don’t you join us this time, Blaine?”
He swallows, and it takes him some time to respond. “Well, I mean … if it’s necessary.”
“Of course, it is.” I grimace at his apprehension. “Since when do you not like fucking around?”
“You know what? I feel like it’s time we threw another party,” Caleb suddenly says.
“Fabulous idea, Caleb!” Blaine says with flair. “I could use the distraction. And a real freakish party has been long overdue.” He throws his arm around me. “C’mon, what do you say, Ares? We could even invite that girl, Crystal.”
“Hmm …”
I do admit I love the kinky parties we throw here at Tartarus.
Everyone on campus and beyond knows us as the place to experience the best kind of high.
“What kind of hedonists would we be if we didn’t indulge ourselves every once in a while?” Blaine muses.
“Hedonists?” Caleb mutters.
“Darling … Tartarus?” Blaine snaps his fingers. “Gates of hell, through which every sinner enters the glorious lands of devils incarnate. They don’t call it the seven sins for nothing.” He licks his lips. “Lust is one of them.”
“Yeah, yeah, we all know you got plenty of that, reading your filthy little books,” Caleb retorts.
“Hey, who are you calling filthy, pig?” Blaine spits back.
“Stop,” I say, silencing them both. “Fine. We’ll have our party. And you two will make sure she attends.”
Their eyes light up.
“But once she steps foot inside these halls, you won’t touch her until I give my permission. Is that understood?”
They both nod.
“Good.” A devilish smile forms on my face. “Let’s plan the greatest party this campus has ever seen.”
Crystal
After finishing an exam, I make my way out of the main building, texting.
Me: Finally done with the exam. Coming!
Penelope: Hurry up. Kayla is about to devour your cake.
Kayla: Lies.
Me: You can have a bite.
Grinning, I grab my bike at my sorority, then race off. It’s been so long since I last drove this thing. It’s a bit unsteady, but I manage. I head down the hills and into Crescent Vale City below, where Kayla and Penelope wait for me at Fi’s Cups and Cakes.
“I’m here!” I shout, announcing my arrival like an idiot when I step into the shop.
Everyone’s looking at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I don’t care.
The girls sit in the back, and Kayla’s hand hovers over her fork as she opens her mouth. I speed my way over to their table and steal the fork, then swiftly take a bite out of the strawberry cake piece they ordered for me.
“Aw, I got so excited,” Kayla says.
“Too bad,” I say, winking. “This cake is mine.”
She grins. “I love it when you get all aggressive.”
“Aggressive?” I scoff.
“Who doesn’t get aggressive over food,” Penelope says, snorting as she takes a bite of her carrot cake.
“Excuse me, I don’t get aggressive,” I respond.
“Sure, you don’t,” Kayla says, laughing before she sticks a fork into my cake. I literally pull the plate away and protect it with my life.
She raises a brow. “See?”
“Mine.”
“Hold up,” Penelope mutters as she looks at the front door. “Isn’t that one of those Tartarus boys?”
My heart immediately sinks into my shoes.
Oh God.
I hope it’s not Caleb again.
I really don’t want to look.
“Oh my God, you’re right,” Kayla says. “That’s Blaine. With a guy.”
Wait, what?
I turn around in my seat, the wavy black hair and extravagant clothes giving it away. He’s actually groping someone’s ass in front of the counter while they place an order.
“What is he doing here?” I ask.
“Getting cake, obviously,” Kayla says, snorting. “And not just the one behind the display.”