Page 35 of River of Deceit

River’s always been like this.

One moment, I like him.

The next, I want to stab him.

Okay, maybe there was only one specific moment when I wanted to stab him, but I still remember the deep hurt I’d felt.

“I could get my dick wet anywhere,” he retorts. “Don’t forget I’m your only ally right now, Pandora.”

“Don’t forget that I could end you whenever I wanted to,” I say, moving to straddle his lap. “It could have been more than a finger that you gave me, River.”

“Keep reminding me of that, and maybe I’ll forget I agreed to help you before I kill you,” he says. His hands go to my hips, fingers tightly gripping me.

“So you don’t care about Rachel after all.” I lean in and snap my teeth mere inches from his lips. “Are you going to help me get revenge or not?”

“I’m not here to serve your whims, Pandora,” River says, squeezing tighter. “Why do you even need my help to take out some college guys?”

“You think we’re the only mob families in the country?” I ask, lightly slapping his chest. “Come on, River. You know how things operate. If we can make the cops look away and even participate in crimes with a bit of money, you think some elites wouldn’t do the same? Blaze has already threatened to destroy me. He owns thisschool; his ties to the dean and the cops and whoever make him untouchable.”

The real threat is the one lurking behind his eyes, though.

The look that says he wants more than to simply expel me or fuck me.

The look that promises utter ruin.

All because I hurt his precious Asch.

River’s eyes narrow. “And you’re going to let them get away with that?” His grip tightens on my waist.

I grin manically. “You know me better than that. Nobody gets away with pissing me off.”

I just have to hurt Blaze where it really hurts.

His answering laugh is dark, but he doesn’t contradict me. If anyone knows the consequences of pissing me off, it’s him, after all. He shakes his head, though, taking a moment before saying, “Step one, I get into the frat.”

“You get into the frat,” I agree. “Step two: we both get close to Blaze Bouchard and Asch Alvarado.”

“Bouchard,” he repeats. “As in the Bouchard family from New Valence.” He leans back against the headboard. “Are those the fuckers who were trying to paw all over you yesterday?”

I roll my eyes. “It’s not my fault you aren’t paying attention to anything.” I get off his lap and pull Rachel’s journal closer.

“It’s not my fault you’re leaving out pertinent information,” he grumbles, but he shifts so he can see the journal again. “Are you going to answer my question?

I grin at him. “Ah, so you admit to the stalking. And yes, those two were Blaze and Asch. Blaze is the blond one, Asch with the brown hair.”

“I’m not stalking you,” he mutters. “I was only making sure you were okay.”

I arch a brow.

“All right, so maybe there was a little stalking,” he amends.

“I’m flattered.” I flip the pages again, to the back, past where Rachel had written.

This is where I keep all the new information.

River’s breath hitches. “Are those…”

“Yeah,” I say quietly. “The crime scene photos.”