Page 86 of Massacre Monday

“I like watching men clean.”

“Well, our apartment is spotless, and I plan to keep it that way. And you need to, as well, pink cheeks. Unless you want to be punished.”

Glancing around the small area, I see nothing out of place. “It still looks brand new.”

A little laugh comes from his chest. “Not here.Ourapartment, back in Northview.”

“You mean…”

“You think I’m letting you go back to theSigmahouse? No. You’re moving in with me.”

The argument lies on my lips, but, really, I don’t want to go back to the house…

I belong with him.

Hands on his hips, lips in a line like he means business, I only have one thing to say.

“Okay.”

Sunday night,he drops me at theSigmahouse, so I can grab my things. It took some convincing to get him to leave me here. But he finally did when his mom called him.

Stuffing an overnight bag with anything essential, I glance around the sad little room. It’s never felt likehome. And with Gwen gone, I’ll be glad to be out of here, away from the bad memories.

On the way downstairs, I hesitate as Elina passes. She notices my bag and my stuffed rabbit, her eyes narrowing. With a light shoulder bump, she sneers, “Good luck keeping him. We both know how this will end.”

Heat travels up to my hairline, but I blow out a sigh and keep moving.I’mthe one moving in with him.

In the driver’s seat of my Jeep, I situate all my stuff and call Oz on my way over a couple of streets to Fraternity Row, where the building is located.

When he answers, my face lights up. “Hey, what’s good, Pip?”

“I just wanted you to know that I’m not staying atSigmahouse anymore. I’m moving in with Ryan.”

There’s a pause—just long enough to notice. “Wait. Since when are you with Ryan?”

“Since now,” I say, maybe a little too quickly. My grip tightens on the wheel. “It’s complicated.”

The phone is silent for a moment before his cheery voice pipes back in. “That’s awesome, Pip! Does Mom or Dad know?”

“Dad appointed me to him without telling me, so he should understand the next step in all this.” I snort. “His baby virgin is promised to the man he signed her over to in blood.”

“Oh. Um,appointed.” His voice dips. “To Ryan Cardell?”

“Yeah…”

“That’s…great.” His flat tone says otherwise.

I scowl at the windshield. “Whatis your problem?”

“I don’t have a problem.”

“Is this because he’sTheta?”

“Yes.”

With an exasperated sigh, I roll my eyes. “Oz, comeon.”

He chuckles in a way that doesn’t sound quite genuine. “I’ll get over it. Stay safe and call me if you need me.”