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“I know, Dad. It’s just—”

“No, Mase, it’s not just anything. You’ll stop wasting your energy on this—it’s a part of business. Sometimes the win is in your column, and other times it’s not.”

I grind my teeth, trying to remain silent. It’s not often I’ll argue with my father, but it’s also not often there’s a reason to.

“Rhion Pierce did nothing any smart business person worth their pound of flesh wouldn’t do,” he continues, determined to make his point loud and clear.

Pulling my phone from my ear, I work to control my temper. I don’t know how to get him to understand that men likeRhion Piercehave never played fair. There is no such thing as an ethical billionaire.

Pierce Holdings had to have insider knowledge to steal that deal. It was a private merger. There was no announcement, yet the deal was canceled forty-eight hours before the meeting to sign the contract.

Once I’m calm enough, I bring my cell back to my ear. “Yes, sir,” I reply, knowing that’s the only acceptable answer.

“Good. Now, where’s your brother? Your mother and your sister tried to call him—both of you, last night,” he questions, effectively ending that part of our conversation.

There’s no chance I’ll tell him what I’ve been doing since arriving at Groveton.

“I was getting organized.” It’s not a lie per se. “And Liam went to a party at one of the fraternity houses.”

He grunts. “What are the frats down there like?”

Smirking, I quip, “Nothing like ours.”

“No strollin’?”

“Is there anyone who can do it better than we do?” I challenge.

Chuckling, he retorts, “No, but now you’re in the chapter at Groveton. I’m sure you and your brother can help bring that fire.”

I hum my agreement, checking the time as I approach the administration building.

“Alright, Dad, I have to go. Liam and I have a meeting about our scholarships.”

“Okay, Mase. I love you. Tell that knucklehead brother of yours to call your mom, or she’ll make us come out there.”

Priscilla Bradley would do just that.

“Love you too, Dad. I’ll make sure we video chat with her tonight after practice.”

With that promise, he ends the call.

The sound of students bustling through the halls temporarily drowns out my thoughts.

“Took you long enough,” Liam taunts as I approach.

Rolling my eyes, I open the door. “Where the hell did you disappear to last night?” I ask my brother once we sit down.

We may have shared a womb, but we aren’t identical. We both have black hair, brown eyes, and some combination of our parents’ features. That’s about where our similarities end. WhileLiam is a few inches over six feet tall, I’m six-seven, and while I’m fighting for my melanin-deficient life, he has a rich, sepia complexion.

Arching a brow, he quips, “I could ask you the same thing. You ignored all my messages, so I had to find something or some things more titillating than your ass.”

I turn, narrowing my eyes on the cheeky fucker. “Who the fuck says titillating?”

Liam grins, his bright-ass smile showing off what a great orthodontist can do. “Let’s just say the girls at Groveton know how to make a newcomer feel welcome.

The shit got laid. And from the sound of it, there was more than one.

Sighing, I refrain from reminding him we aren’t here of our own free will—we’re here because it was our only option after everything.