Page 22 of Distorted Obsession (The Distorted Trilogy #1)

colter

Eva stands before us, and her knees wobble before they straighten as she fights to remain upright. Our presence at Groveton is making her unsettled.

Good , as it should be.

“C…Coop,” she stares at my brother, her eyes volleying between the two of us in utter disbelief. “C…Colt.”

Smirking, I reply, “Long time no—” But my words are cut off when she crashes into my chest, wrapping her arms around me.

“I’m… I’m…” she begins between whimpers. “Sorry.”

Momentarily shocked, I stiffen, my arms hanging down at my side. The realization that she’s embracing me hits, and I have to push down the peace I feel with her in my arms.

She’s not the calm—she’s the raging storm.

Lifting her head, Eva’s tears-stained face strikes my heart, and I find myself once again softening, the need to comfort her tugs at my very soul until I remember why she’s crying—concern is replaced with annoyance, and I have to fight the urge to shove her away.

Inhaling, I remind myself that this is exactly what Cooper and I have planned. “Shhh, Eva. “Don’t cry.” I console her, rubbing her back, but I would much rather her keep crying, so we can drown her in them.

Her friends watch with mixed expressions of apprehension. I don’t miss the way Jade’s gaze narrows to where my hand rests on Eva’s back. She looks like she’d flay me alive, sniffing out my fake concern.

Ignoring their scowls, I peer down at the girl in my arms and smirk. But I quickly soften my features as Eva pulls back and lifts her head.

“When did you guys get here?” Eva sniffles.

Without thought, I raise my hand to cup her cheek, brushing the escaped tears trailing down her face away with my thumb. An image of me licking her tears before swallowing her cries flits through my mind, forcing me to step back as my cock hardens in my jeans.

Once he notices my dilemma, Cooper coughs to cover his snickers and envelops Eva in a hug of his own. His nostrils flare, his jaw clenches, and I know he’s smelling the soft scent of her chamomile, lavender shampoo, and conditioner.

Fucker .

“Yeah. When did you get here?” Camiel probes in a tone that causes my attention to shift to her.

“We’ve been here,” Cooper replies with confident ease, but the suspicion only increases in each of their stares.

News of Portia’s death spread like wildfire around campus, forcing Coop and me to shift gears. Our plans for Thad are on pause until the dust settles. We can’t have another dead student in such a short amount of time without drawing unwanted attention.

We’d also need to reevaluate our plan with the Bradley brothers, as there may no longer be a need for our original plan.

Portia’s death provides the perfect cover to emerge to comfort the guilt and worry Eva will undoubtedly feel—she’s always been too empathetic.

My right hand fists—except for when she’s not.

Don’t go there, Colt. I remind myself, pushing any thoughts of my sister to the back of my mind. Otherwise, my hatred for Eva will bleed through, confirming the rightful skepticism of her friends.

“I need this area clear, now,” the officer commands, initially drawing my scorn until I recognize the opportunity he’s given us.

Adjusting my pants, I return my gaze to Eva and suggest, “Why don’t you all come to our condo? We can order pizza, watch a movie, or play video games.”

Eva’s honey-colored eyes light, and her lips part to answer, but Jade cuts in. “No thanks. We have some game footage to watch.”

Sighing, Eva mutters, “She’s right. Since practice is canceled, we need to use this time to prepare for our game.”

I hide my annoyance and make a mental note to look into Jade Mallory further—she wasn’t enrolled here until a week before the volleyball team was required to arrive.

Nodding, I reply, “Then raincheck. Let’s catch up another time, really soon. It’s been far too long already.”

The light returns to Eva’s face. “Absolutely. Why don’t I drop by after practice tomorrow?”

“Perfect,” Cooper exclaims, smirking at Jade. Then he tightens his hold on Eva before releasing her. “It’s settled. Tomorrow night. We’ll order your favorite pizza.”

Good try—but you gotta be quicker than that —I silently mock when Jade’s scowl transforms into a grimace.

Eva walks to stand with her friends when I add, “Pleasure meeting you ladies. I can’t wait to get better acquainted with Eva’s friends.”

“I’m so excited you guys are here,” Eva confesses while she’s being tugged away.

Cooper begins turning to leave when I grip his arm. “Wait,” instruct.

“Why?” he inquires, but I ignore his question.

“Come on… come on,” I mumble. “Don’t disappoint me.”

My brother follows my gaze to their retreating forms. “What are you grumbling?—”

“Yes,” I huff when Eva cranes her neck to look back at us. Then I turn to my brother. “She’s ours, Coop.”

Scrunching his brows in confusion, he states, “You got all that from her looking back?”

“Yes. Now, who the fuck is Jade Mallory, and how much of a pain in the ass will she be?” I retort, annoyed that we’ve put off investigating her background more.

Cooper whips out his phone as we head back toward our condo. “It’s not just Jade,” he huffs. “I have a feeling all of Eva’s friends here present a risk to our plans. Especially that fucker in her art class.”

“ Markus— stupid Ken doll-looking asshat.” I hiss. “He’s not the problem. Jade is.” I stop talking until we pass the campus police officer, and the ambulance finally pulls away with Portia’s body.

“It’s unfortunate the bitch died before we could question her,” Cooper mutters. “Anaphylaxis beat us to the kill.”

I pause at the reminder of her death. “Did anyone else report symptoms?”

“A few students, but their reactions weren’t as severe.”

I call bullshit.

“Add her death to the list of shit we need more information on,” I instruct. “It’s just too fucking convenient for a nut-free dorm to mysteriously end up with nuts, and specifically in her room.”

“Done. Now let’s hurry the fuck up and get back to the condo so we can get Teagan and Lev in on some of this shit.”

“Jade Katherine Mallory. Nineteen—she started school late because her parents wanted to travel. She’s five?—”

Interrupting Teagan, I state, “We got the initial stuff.”

“If you would like to wait and let me finish, I’ll share what else I found,” she retorts, scowling at me.

What is it with all the goddamn scowling today?

Lev snickers, “You should know better than to interrupt.”

And now it’s my turn to scowl— why not join the party?

Clearing her throat, Teagan continues. “Her father, Sylvester Mallory, is fifty-three and an investment banker who made a large share of their family’s wealth during the 2008 recession from subprime loans.”

I sneer at the information. Predatory bankers who offer loans to people they know cannot afford them are some of society’s scummiest people.

“Strike one,” I mutter before Teagan begins again.

“Bambi Mallory is a former Miss Nebraska, which catapulted her into a modeling career for ten years. She’s also appeared in some B-list movies but is primarily a kept woman, spending most of her time doing charity work.”

A picture of Jade’s parents sits on the screen—she’s a blend of both of them. Jade has her father’s eyes and platinum-blond hair while having her mother’s button nose and slight but tall frame.

“Is there anything suspicious?” Cooper asks.

Teagan’s eyes narrow to slits. “If one of you asshats interrupts me again, I’m going to leave Loki with you for the weekend.”

“You wouldn’t,” my brother argues.

That damn cat has a drug problem—as in any time he hears you open a bottle of medication, he comes charging into the room and tries to knock it out of your hands, or he’ll try to lick the cover. I’ve never seen anything like it.

“Try me,” she challenges, crossing her arms.

Lev bursts into laughter, making me mumble, “Fucking ass kisser.”

“You two are about to be on her shit list for at least a year at the rate you’re both going,” Lev quips.

Teagan flicks her gaze to Lev’s. “You’re no better,” she huffs. “Actually, none of you are. All of you idiots have negative chill.”

Coop and I both snort.

“Now what, bitch?” Coop adds, making Teagan groan.

“Y’all exhausting. I’ll send the rest of the files, and you can read through them on your own time. I have other shit I need to be doing, like trying to find a solution to Owen’s problem.”

We all sober up at the mention of what’s happening in Edgewood.

“Sorry, Teag,” I start. “And thanks again.”

She nods and then ends the call.

“How are things going up there?” Cooper probes.

Lev rubs his hand down his face. “It’s been extremely difficult. Nothing is going our way, and Ariah…” he pauses, collecting himself. “She’s rightfully pissed off, but there’s nothing we can do about it yet.”

“You know we’re here—whatever you need, man, just let us know. We’re also looking into possible ways to help O,” I state.

“Thanks,” Lev replies. The anguish on his face disappears as he blurts, “Why wasn’t I invited to The Hunt ?”

Grinning, I retort, “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

“That’s what it is, isn’t it?” Lev exclaims.

Chuckling, Cooper replies, “Very much so. We have questions, and since one of the two people who can answer those questions is taking a well-deserved dirt nap, Thaddy-boy is up to bat.”

Lev’s lips tip up into a smile. “Then you won’t mind if all of us join—strengthening our odds and shit.”

“The more the merrier,” my brother affirms.

“Why don’t we raise the stakes—a nice wager to keep things interesting,” I declare.

Lev’s excitement thrums through the laptop screen, and I know life for Thaddeus is about to become infinitely worse. Smirking, he leans forward and inquires, “What exactly do you have in mind?”