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Chapter Four

Vivian

“Are you sure you will be okay with running things?” I ask Tate who waves me off as she wipes down the bar. My nerves are frayed. Three weeks ago we opened Lividica and the opening night was a hit, the partners were put in their place and some were kicked the fuck out. I got what I needed from that night.

“You’ll be gone for a couple of weeks. I can survive without you breathing down my neck. Go check out the campus.” I purse my lips, hating that I am lying to her but the truth is, I don’t know who I can trust right now. I’ve been getting letters every week. At first they were harmless but then suddenly they shifted, they became more sinister. I have a feeling I know who it is but I can’t be certain. I mean, I did ruin a few lives a year ago, so I guess you could take your pick.

“It doesn’t matter if I fall in love with the place, it’s not like I could actually go there.”

Tate’s brows furrow as she looks at me. “Why not? I mean no offense but you reek of money so it’s not like you couldn’t afford an Ivy League school.”

I snort at her observation. Sometimes I wish I had someone to talk to aside from David about all of this shit but I have no one. Taking the crown meant losing everyone I cared about. I justified my actions from that night by telling myself I was doing it to save them all, there is no way Thomas Valerian and his evil prick of a son Nexus would have let my brother and his friends live if Nexus married Nova. I wish I could talk to Tate about all of this but she has no idea who I really am, she just thinks I am a trust fund brat who opened a sex club.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I gotta go but I’ll call you later and check in.” She’s already turned away and waving at me over her shoulder before I finish speaking. I fucking love her attitude and how she gives zero fucks about what people think. I climb off my stool and head out of the back of Lividica and meet David in the lobby. He's talking with the manager of the hotel so I hang back and pull out my phone. I sigh at the sight of unopened messages from my brother. I have plenty from Hayze and Ezekiel as well as Nova but not one has come from Archer. He hasn’t tried to call, text, or even come back to Hollow Hills since I banished them. I have no right to feel hurt over this, but it doesn’t stop the feeling from sneaking up on me.

I clutch my phone and close my eyes as I try to breathe through the pain in my chest. I never meant to hurt Archer when I agreed to marry Ezekiel. Marrying Ez was a strategic move, having his last name gave me the power I needed to set them all free but what I didn’t expect was for them all to act like butt hurt bitches and turn their backs on me. I guess I deserved their anger but all they had to do was fucking fight! The only one who actually did was my brother. Fuck those three assholes, they never lifted a fucking finger to try and stop me or show me I meant a goddamn fucking thing to them. Turns out, they are just like every other gutless motherfucking mommy’s boys who never want to show their feelings because they think it makes them look weak. Real men can express themselves and be open and honest about their feelings.

By the time we reach the CHU campus I am exhausted, my back is aching and my neck is stiff as fuck from the long drive. I haven’t had a break since I took over the Saints. Everyone, including David, thinks I am here to tour the campus since all my other applications were declined. At first I was hurt and pissed off until I did some deeper research into the school and its board members and was shocked at what I had learned about the five youngest members who actually own half the school.

When my driver hands me my bags, I thank him and wave him away when he tries to carry them for me. I may be the lordess but I haven’t forgotten where I came from. I didn’t grow up getting my ass wiped for me, we were taught to stand on our own two feet. I make my way across the grass and head toward the dorms. A ball of excitement takes life inside me. I’ve always dreamed about going to college and all the experiences I would have with my brother and the guys. Growing up we would talk about college and what we would get up to, there was never a question if we would all go to the same school, it was just a given.

I push all thoughts of the past away as I drag my luggage behind me and input the code on the panel next to the door that was sent to me by the dean. At this late hour I expected everyone to be in bed but I was wrong. I smile at a few girls who look like they are dressed for a night on the town. Happiness fills me when they smile back and wave. One even hands me a flier as I pass by. After a couple of wrong turns and a trip to the wrong floor I finally find my room. I push the door open and sigh in relief when I drop my bags. I look around the room and a pang of longing hits me right in the chest. This is what I have dreamed about for years and I gave it all up to try and protect their innocence and my soul. I drop down onto the edge of the unmade bed that I’m assuming is mine and huff in annoyance.

I should have been here!

I shake away the bitter thought and look across the room to see my roommate's side is practically untouched. There are bags and a few textbooks but nothing personal. Her bed isn’t even made and has me questioning if she is a late arrival like me or does she just not stay here? I look down at the flier in my hand and read over it. There is a campus bonfire tonight on the beach. I pull my phone out and plug the address into the GPS and smile when I see it’s only a short walk away.

You aren’t a college student, Vivian!

Sadness envelopes me, it’s Friday night. I should stay in and read over the new contracts David emailed me on the drive over. I know the expansion of the high school and opening our own college is important for all future members of the Saints but this is a college party.

“I could go for an hour?” I say aloud, nibbling on my lip while debating my options. It doesn't take much convincing, I decide to go over the contracts in the morning and enjoy my first night. I may never get another chance to experience something like this, lord knows I would never have been allowed to go if my brother and the guys were here. I was only allowed out if one or all of them were with me but not tonight. Tonight I am going solo. I mean for fuck’s sake, I own a sex club now and I’m not the same naive little girl I was a year ago. I know the world isn’t filled with kind people. I also have my can of pepper spray in my purse so I’ll be fine.

I can’t wipe the smile from my face as my sandal-covered feet sink into the sand. My hair gets caught in the wind and smacks me in the face, some of the strands getting caught in my lip gloss but I pull them away and tuck them behind my ear. I make my way toward the crowded bonfire and can’t help but stare at the guys and girls as they dance around to the music with red solo cups in their hands. The girls look so carefree and happy, the guys seem relaxed without a worry in the world.

I envy them.

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t feel worried or stressed about the future. Unlike everyone at this party, our futures weren’t guaranteed. We had to fight, claw our way out of the corner our father’s backed us into until I took matters into my own hands.

“Hey, why the long face, beautiful?” I snap my head up and lock eyes with a guy who has one of the warmest smiles I have ever seen. I drink him in and swallow audibly. He’s shirtless and wears a pair of ripped jean shorts that hang low on his hips. When he chuckles I lift my gaze back to him. He runs a hand through his black hair and pushes it back from his forehead, his blue eyes filled with wonder as he stares down at me. “You must be new here.”

“H-how…” I clear my throat and try again. “What makes you say that?”

The sexy smirk that touches his lips has my heart rate picking up. “I would remember seeing you around campus.” I feel the blush coating my cheeks and duck my head for a moment before pulling on my big girl panties and facing him again.

“That obvious, huh?”

He shrugs. “Kind of, yeah.” Both of us laugh at that. “Can I get you a drink?” I must hesitate too long because he quickly adds. “We don’t do kegs here, all drinks are sealed and any left lying around are tossed.” His words put my worries at ease and I find myself nodding and following after him. He grabs me a wine cooler and hands it over. Sure enough, it’s sealed. He and I stand side by side as we people watch. The cheer squad run through a routine while everyone watches. I can’t put my finger on it but something about this place seems different to Hollow Hills.

“Do you go to school here…?” I don’t know his name so I let my sentence trail off. He smiles down at me and extends his hand.

“My name is Matthew but my friends and family call me Dawson.”

I cock my head to the side. “Why do they call you Dawson?”

He smiles sheepishly and rubs the back of his neck. “It’s a long story but the gist of it is, my dad wasn’t around when I was born so I demanded everyone call me by my last name so I could be closer to my old man I guess.”

I reach out and touch his forearm. “I’m sorry.”

He smiles and shakes his head. “Don’t be, my dad’s one of the greatest guys I know.”

“So, he’s around now?”

He nods. “Yeah, he has been since he found me and my mom when I was four.” I don’t know why but I get the feeling he is uncomfortable talking about his family so I change the subject.

“I’m Vivian.”

“A pretty name for a pretty girl.” For the second time tonight I blush. “Got a last name?”

I open my mouth to say Hatchett but then realize, that is no longer my name. “Tempest. My name is Vivian Tempest.”

“Your name suits you, you definitely seem like a temptress.” I can’t help the laughter that bubbles out of me.

“Oh, that was real smooth, Romeo.” Dawson shoots me a wink.

“So, CHU, huh?” he says, changing the subject. Sorrow unfurls inside me. Dawson seems like a great guy but he’s also a stranger and would never understand the dynamics of my life.

“I’m actually just here for a meeting with the board.” His brows jump to his hairline, his eyes suddenly turn accusing and I take a step back. “Is everything okay?” I ask.

He shakes his head and the look vanishes. “Yeah, I guess I’m just so used to everyone knowing who I am and who my family is.”

“What do you mean?” I press.

“Everyone at this party has tried to kiss my ass so they could get in my good graces so I could put in a good word with the board so they won’t get kicked out for failing their classes.”

I frown up at him. “Why would they want to kiss your ass?”

He sighs and scrubs a hand down his face. “My father and four uncles own half the school and sit on the board of CHU.” Surprise ripples through me, I replay his words a few times until they sink in.

“I swear, I had no idea who you were. I only came tonight because I was handed a flier when I arrived…” Feeling suddenly out of place, I try to flee but he grips my wrist, halting my escape.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to accuse you of anything, it’s just hard… you never know who is real and genuine anymore?—”

“Or just using you because of what your last name is?” Surprise flickers through his gaze.

“Yeah,” he breathes out.

“I get it, back home I never really had any friends because they always wanted what my last name could get them or just to get close to me so they could fuck my brother and his three best friends. Well, everyone except one. Nova never cared about my last name or my brother and his friends.” Longing hits me hard and I gasp for air at the mention of Nova. I miss her so much. “I have to go,” I rush to say and yank my hand free of his hold. I ignore him calling out for me to come back as I run back to the dorms.

This was a stupid idea coming here. I run along the beach, choosing to go the long way around so I wouldn't bump into anyone along the footpath. I don’t know why I ran but I just had to get out of there, it was too much thinking about… them . I thought I was past this point where just the thought of them would bring me to my knees. I guess I was wrong.

I stop running and bend over, placing my hands on my knees as I try to drag in a lungful of air. I tense when I get an eerie sense that I am being watched. I slowly push up and discreetly look around. Trees line the bank on one side, on the other is nothing but open ocean. What I didn’t take into account when I ran off was that it’s pitch black out here except for the lighting of the moon. I wrap my arms around myself when a cold shiver works its way down my spine. I take a deep breath and try to reason with myself that I’m just envisioning this feeling of being watched because of the letters, but then I see a shadow emerge from the trees.