Page 104 of Revere

“I don’t care what you think of me.”

“No shit, Ice Princess. But seriously, I’m impressed.”

“Why?” And why do I care?

“The Interrogator? A professor? I guess the good girls are always the most fun when they actually crack. But you had me fooled. I swore you’d die a virgin. And then you go and give it up to my big brother.”

“Frat brother,” I correct him.

Maddox shakes his head once. “Bio brother.”

“You don’t have a brother.” My eyebrows furrow. “And you don’t even have the same last name as him.”

“Different dads.” Maddox’s gaze drifts off. “Among other things.”

“How very vague of you,” I mumble, my throat swelling as I try to process what Maddox is saying.

I’ve known him my entire life, and I never knew he had a brother. Much less that his brother was Jacob. My mind is swimming with what else I might have missed. The lies are quicksand. One step and I’m sinking fast.

“Wait, is that why you’re speaking to me right now? Are you babysitting me while your brother is off doing God knows what?”

I probably shouldn’t be irritated when I’m the one who surrounded myself with Sigma Sin tonight, knowing they all report to him. Still, this sets me on edge.

“Nope.” His lips pop, and he stands taller, skimming my outfit. “Like I said, I’m just trying to figure you out. The girl who broke my brother.”

“You’re exaggerating.” I roll my eyes. “And he’ll survive.”

If Jacob thinks he can use his brother to guilt me into forgiving him, he doesn’t know me very well.

Maddox smirks, and when his gaze spears mine, I finally see the resemblance I missed. Dark hair and bright-green eyes. Except where Jacob’s have gold threaded through them, Maddox’s are darker. They’re similar and somehow feel nothing alike.

“We’ve known each other for a long time, Patience.” Maddox pops his knuckles.

“Hatedeach other for a long time is more accurate.”

His lips twitch in amusement. “Whatever you want to call it, I’m just saying, be careful.”

“You’re warning me against your brother?” My eyebrows lift.

“Apparently. And you know how I am, so what does that say about him?” At that, Maddox turns and walks away.

I don’t stop watching him until he disappears into the crowd. But even when he’s gone, the ice chilling my spine doesn’t melt.

Idoknow Maddox, so what does it say if he thinks Jacob is worse?

I don’t want to think about it, so I head to the nearest table of booze and grab another shot. My head is thoroughly swimming now, and I’ve officially lost my friends in this mess of people. Maybe I would have been better off hiding in my dorm room tonight.

People close in from every side, and it’s too much.

Pulling out my phone, I type a text to Violet.

Patience

Where did you go? I’m ready to get out of here.

She promised she and Kole would take me back to the dorm when I was ready, and after my conversation with Maddox, I’ve hit my limit.

The lies are endless.