Page 53 of Pretty Vengeance

“War’s got company.” Jamie leads me into the house through the main door.

As soon as we enter, we face the onslaught of music blaring down from above at an ear-splitting volume.

“Guess he’s not planning to have a conversation with him or her.” I glance toward the stairs to the second floor apartment. “Jesus, that’s loud. How are their ears not bleeding?”

Persistently silent, Jamie guides me toward the hall that leads to the guest room we used last time I was over.

Between tracks, a girl’s wail pierces the quiet just before screaming guitars resume. The female’s distress brings me a up short and causes my head to jerk so I’m staring at the rafters.

“Is—do you think everything’s all right up there?”

“It is, yeah.” Carrying my bag, Jamie takes my arm and guides me the rest of the way down the hall.

In the guest room, a collection of sex toys sits atop the nightstand, and black leather restraints with silver chains rest on the mattress.

I stare at the chains, my body suddenly on high alert. “Umm…”

Jamie drops my bag unceremoniously in the corner. “I’ve got a question for you, Sauce.”

Licking my lips, I drag my gaze from the bed to his face. “Yes?”

“Did Ashling tell you I sent her a text saying you guys weren’t to attend the party last night?”

My body goes rigid but my voice remains steady. “She was a little vague on details, but yes.”

Jamie leans back against the dresser, his muscles flexing. “So, you ignored what I said.” His tone is calm, but his cool eyes rake over me in an unfriendly way. “If you ever follow her lead in breaking an instruction I’ve given again, you and I will be done.”

His “matter of fact” tone sets my teeth on edge, even as my heart thumps with heavy beats. With fingers clenching into fists, I fight my natural urge to lash out.

For years, powerful people have tried to dictate how I live my life. And the more I’ve thought about Brad trying to intimidate me—and the way Ash flipped him off—the more I’ve realized how sick I am of walking on egg shells. Of being the one who always has to bend to others’ wills.

The wash-in magenta color was the first thing I’ve done to defy Allendale expectations. I knew my grandparents would consider it trashy, but it was popular with the girls in my prep school and was—as Dad pointed out—only temporary, so I got away with it. Which gave me an intoxicating taste of freedom. I’m hoping for more of that once I get into the Briar Club and cement my own future.

Playing a slave girl in bed is fun, but the last thing I want is some guy trying to control every moment of my life. I get more than enough of that already.

“Jamie, I need to clarify something.”

“What’s that?” From his tone, I can tell he doesn’t intend to meet me halfway.

Stiffening, I shake my head. “You know what? Never mind.”

Jamie folds his arms across his chest and studies me. “You sure?”

“Look, if you expect to dictate what I do when I’m not with you, you’re going to be disappointed.”

“It’s not about controlling you around the clock. But there were things in play last night that you know nothing about. And wouldn’t want to. So, next time, I expect you to listen.”

“Look, I’ve been a Tronex fan for a long time. Also, my roommate was going, and I would not have wanted her to go alone.”

His grim expression hits me like a blow. “Remind me, are you the one who protected Ashling when she got in trouble? Or were you the cause of it? And needing to be rescued as well?”

My jaw drops. “That’s so unfair!”

“Agreed. I needed to concentrate and keep the peace. Instead, I wanted to tear your brother’s fucking head off.”

“You didn’t?—”

“Don’t say it,” he snaps. “Do not fucking tell me I didn’t need to follow you down dark hallways or knock your brother to the ground to stop him from doing whatever the fuck he was trying to do by unmasking you.” His eyes narrow angrily. “And when I see your tits bouncing under a dress so thin I could tear it off with my goddamned teeth, all I want to do is shove you against a wall and fuck you. You’re the worst kind of distraction, Sawyer. You’re the one I can’t resist.” His breathing is harsh.