Page 10 of River of Deceit

“We teach her that Kappa Alphas—that you and me—aren’t to be trifled with.” Blaze scoops up the tofu and takes a bite. “She thinks we’re terrible because some chick was passed out in the frat? We could show her really terrible.” His grin turns darker. “Be honest. What do youreallywant to do with her? What would we have done last night, if she hadn’t left?”

“We’d have just fucked her and been done with her,” I say.

But what I want to do to her now? That’s a different story.

I’ve never been a malicious person. I’ve helped Blaze with his squabbles, petty or otherwise, but that’s never been personal. This is.

“Justfucked her? Sounds boring.” Blaze prods. “I was thinking I would have taken her cunt while you had her mouth. We could have made her really scream. And by the time we were done with her, there’s no way she would have walked out on steady feet.”

“Yeah, well. She doesn’t get that experience now, that’s for sure,” I say. I manage a tight smile. “Anyway, it’s not like we’re ever going to see her again.”

Blaze laughs. “What are you talking about? There are what, five thousand students on campus? We’ll see her again.” He gestures toward the front of the restaurant. “Like right now, even.”

I lift my head in time to see Pandora walk through the door of the restaurant, and my eyes darken as I take in the sight of her. It should make that familiar lust spike, but now I’ve seen her for what she really is.

She’s a crazy bitch in a pretty package. Her long brown hair is pulled into a ponytail, so I can see the snake earrings dangling from her earlobes. Minimal makeup, but the eyeliner is thick and makes her eyes look wide. Her nails are painted in bright neon pink. The jeans she’s wearing cling to her ass, and the shirt is equally tight, reminding me of why I’d approached her at the party. Her breasts are a perfect handful.

She’s fucking hot.

Blaze really isn’t going to want to let this go.

Not until he’s claimed her.

“What, you want me to invite her to sit with us or something?” I ask sarcastically.

Blaze grins. “A pretty girl like her shouldn’t sit alone, right? Who knows what kinds of perverts are out there.”

There’s no talking Blaze out of this, I already know that. My best bet is to get it over with and hope he grows bored of Pandora fast.

He doesn’t generally fuck a woman more than once or twice anyway.

“What do you have in mind?” I ask, my voice low.

“She hurt you,” Blaze whispers back, his voice more serious than I’m used to. “So we hurt her back.”

As I glance down at my arm, where there are still streaks of blood where the napkin had done little more than smear it, I think that maybe the idea isn’t the worst.

I get up, painting a smile on my lips as I cross over to wait for her to finish paying for her food. “Hey, Pandora,” I say, turning on all the charm I can muster.

Dimly, I think that I don’t actually have to do everything Blaze suggests, but this is something I want to do too.

This is something Blaze is doing forme.

Pandora smiles at me. “Hey, Asch. I wondered when you were coming over.” Her eyes flick to my arm, and she licks her lips. “Ouch. That looks like it hurts.”

Her friendly demeanor is only a mask, and I remind myself what’s under the surface. It doesn’t matter what she acts like now. I’ve seen what she really is, and between Blaze and me, we’re going to make her regret fucking with me. “Only a scratch,” I say. “Hey, Blaze and I thought you might want to come sit with us. Let bygones be bygones, and all.”

Pandora nods. “Sure! I’ve never been one to hold a grudge, anyway.” She bumps her shoulder against my arm—myinjuredarm, making me wince—before she heads toward Blaze, tray of food in hand.

I watch her, trying to figure out what game she’s playing, then I follow behind her. I stop myself from rubbing at the cut again.

I pull out a chair for her, gesturing for her to sit. “Here you go,” I tell her.

“Thanks.” Pandora sits down and peers at Blaze’s food. “Tofu salad? Is it any good?”

Blaze shrugs. “It’s fine? I’ve had better, but the sesame dressing is great.”

Without even asking, Pandora scoops up some of the tofu with her spoon and takes a bite. “Ooh, not bad. Maybe I’ll get it next time.”