Page 28 of Palm South University: Season 2

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN OUR BODIESwarn us against the actions we choose. They make us sweat, turn our stomachs, cloud our vision, cause us to tremble. My body is sending me all the warning signs now as I clutch the donations raised Saturday night at the auction close to my chest. But I’m not walking up to the bank.

I’m walking into Xavier’s office.

I know it’s wrong, I’m ashamed that I’m doing it, but I don’t have a choice. We raised just over five grand, just enough to buy me the time to Spring Break, just enough to move me closer to my freedom. It’s selfish, it’s against every value my sorority stands for, it’s against everything that I am. But I know this isn’t just some game I can quit and walk away from unscarred. My life is on the line.

Bo’s life is on the line.

And if I want to make it out of this alive, I’m going to have to do some things I’m not proud of.

I already have.

Swallowing, I nod slightly at the body guard outside of Xavier’s office as he lets me in the door. Xavier is seated at his desk, head down, looking through a folder with pictures of other men and documents I’m more than sure I don’t want to know the details of.

“Have a seat, Ashlei. Just one moment.”

I tuck my hair behind my ears, the ends of it sticking to my neck as I sit on the edge of the chair. Xavier shifts through a few more pages before closing the file and leaning back in his chair, steepling his fingers.

“I hope you’re not here to beg for more time.”

“I’m not,” I say, shoving the large envelope toward him. He takes it hesitantly, his eyes on mine, before opening it and running his fingers over the money. “There’s just over five-thousand in there.”

He smiles, one that makes me even more uncomfortable than I was. “Does this mean you’re taking me up on my offer?”

“I don’t really have a choice,” I squeak, my throat dry.

Xavier claps his hands together and I jump. “Beautiful! I love when it all comes together like this, kiddo.” He pauses, noting my frown. “It’ll be easy, I promise. You’ll be on Spring Break. Everyone is looking for something.”

I nod. “I just want it to be over.”

He clears his throat, and I wonder if even he is uncomfortable at the position he’s put me in. Then I think of how he’s treated me in the past, how he’s treated Kya, Hayden. There’s no way this man can have a conscious.

But really, am I so different? Here I am agreeing to sell hard drugs to other students on campus. I could be starting an addiction. I could be ending a life.

“I’ll call you when everything is ready for you to pick up,” he says finally, dismissing me.

“Um, wait.” I stand, wiping my palms on my shorts. “I, uh, I kind of need your help.” Xavier cocks a brow and I close my eyes, ashamed of what I’m about to ask. I can’t let anyone in Kappa Kappa Beta find out about this, which means I need an insurance policy.

“I have to convince my sisters I was mugged, that the money was stolen.” I open my eyes again, hoping he’ll understand without me having to explain more.

“What are you asking me, Ashlei?”

I feel it inside, a crack only I can hear as a piece of me breaks. “I need you to hit me.”