The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (87)

“Not lately.”

“I’m going to break his fucking collarbone.”

“That’s really specific. But before you attack your cousin…again…you should know I only meant the two of you share an unnecessary use of sex euphemisms. Jamie’s weren’t all directed at me.”

“Unnecessary?”

“Very.”

His gaze sharpened as he inched closer, and I suddenly felt as if I were being hunted. “So I should just come out and say I want you bent over that table with your panties around your ankles and my name on your lips?”

“Now you’re just being crude.”

Strong hands cupped my hips as if he might do just that. “And you care?”

“Hey, I can be as classy as you.”

The lustful gleam in his eyes suddenly faded away. “You were never beneath me, Four. I was a shit to make you believe otherwise.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m a tough girl.”

“I know you are, princess.”

“Stop calling me that,” I growled as I gripped his sweater. “I hate the way it makes me feel.”

“How does it feel?” His voice was husky now.

I had to swallow the lump in my throat before speaking.

“It tingles.”

“Where?”

All over.

I didn’t reply, so he added, “Don’t make me go searching.” His gaze was already scanning my body.

“I’ve been meaning to thank you,” I quickly said to distract him. “For Jay D’s stuff. You didn’t have to bribe Dave, though. He was willing to help out.”

“It was insurance to make sure he continued to be.”

“Well, thanks to you, I couldn’t ask him about a job.”

His eyebrows bunched. “Why not?”

“Because I didn’t want him to think the money came with a catch!”

He simply shrugged like it was no big deal. Maybe to an elite with the world at his feet it wasn’t. “My dad gave you a credit card.”

“That I haven’t used once, and I don’t intend to.”

“Then I’ll cover Jay D’s expenses.”

With a huff, I stepped away from him, putting space between us. Thankfully, he didn’t follow. “I don’t want your help. He’s my responsibility.”

The depth of his eyes deepened. “And you’re mine.”

“We discussed this, and the vote was divided.”

“Then hang on tight, little troublemaker. I’m going to make you fall for me.”

I closed my eyes to keep from seeing the promise in his own. There was still so much that stood between us. Namely, the secret pact he had with Barbie and the fact that he risked his life for seemingly no reason at all. My eyes popped open and narrowed. “Why did you skip school today?”

His jaw tightened as he stared back at me without shame. “I was searching for a way back into Exiled.”

“But I thought you were done with that. Why are you trying to get back in?”

“I’m looking for someone.”

“Who?”

I expected him to avoid answering so imagine my surprise when he said, “Nathaniel Fox.”

Hiding my surprise, I decided to get as much truth out of him as I could before whatever judgment that told him to keep secrets returned. “Who is he?”

“He’s one of Exiled’s founders.”

I sucked in a breath, fighting for composure, but my voice trembled anyway when I spoke. “How do you know him?”

“I don’t.”

“Then why do you want to find him?”

“Because he has something that belongs to me.”

I could feel my frustration building. “What? What could he possibly have to make you risk your life?”

He shook his head and looked almost as if he felt sorry for me. “You wouldn’t understand if I told you.”

“How do you know?”

“I just do,” he answered quietly.

“Are you sure you’re not just aspiring to be the next Gambino or Capone?”

He barked a genuine laugh despite the sadness radiating from him. “I’m sure.”

“So if your dream isn’t to be the next American gangster, then what is? Football?”

For a moment, he looked as if he were debating something. “Turn around.”

After a brief staring contest, I did as he ordered and faced the table that nearly took up the entire room. He moved to the other side of the room and whipped off the black cloth.

I stared down in wonder at the 3D model covering almost every inch of the table. “Is that the academy?”

“It is.”

I gaped until I realized how I must have looked and then I shouted, “Ever, it’s incredible! How did you learn to do this?”

“I’ve been taking courses since the ninth grade, but it all started with popsicle sticks. For my twelfth birthday, my mother bought my first Lego set. It was the Empire State Building. I loved it so much I collected as many Legos as I could. I never liked following the instructions. Sometimes I’d play it by ear or sketch shapes that meant nothing, but I just had to build. They were never anything special, but she treated them like masterpieces.”