Page 47 of River of Deceit

Pandora gets up from the bed and adjusts her jeans. I notice her patting the pocket like she’s checking what’s in it. That’s not the first time I’ve seen her do that, either.

“Is monogamy a rule here at Chaos?” Pandora asks, as though she’s completely unbothered by everything. “Just so I know whether I need to keep River in line with all his conquests.”

“No,” Asch says evenly. “He can have as many conquests as he wants as long as he doesn’t try to be a cockblock for anyone else.” He looks pointedly at River.

“Got it,” River says through gritted teeth. “I’d never dream of being a cockblock for anyone.”

“Maybe Blaze needs to explain all of the rules to River,” Asch says. “Pandora, I’ll escort you out.”

Pandora looks between all of us and purses her lips. “Are we sure that’s safe? Blaze might get intimidated by?—”

My vision grows hazy at the suggestion that I might bescaredof anyone. “Asch, take her. Pandora has outstayed her welcome.”

Except I was the one who invited her, and somehow now I’m the one kicking her out.

Pandora winks at me before she walks over to Asch and links her arm with his. “Show me out then, dear butler.”

Asch scowls, but he only says, “I’ll be right back, Blaze.”

River’s eyes track the two of them as they leave the room. “Thanks for the warning,” he says sarcastically.

I cross my arms and glare at him. “Joining Kappa Alpha Omega Sigma isn’t easy. You’ve got the pamphlets, and I bet Asch told you a few things, but this isn’t some walk in the park. We don’t accept anyone without real resolve. If you’re here because you think it’ll get you into Pandora’s pants…”

“I can get into Pandora’s pants without being in Chaos, and I don’t even have to threaten her,” he says with a brittle smile. “What about you?”

I could easily have anyone I want.

I could have had Pandora, too. If I wanted Pandora to adore me, I could turn up the charm and the smiles and woo her off her feet.

She lost that privilege when she hurt Asch.

“So you’re serious about Kappa Alpha?” I ask, ignoring his question. “Then you learn that here, in this house, your frat elders are in charge. And you don’t do something stupid like try to threaten me, ever again. Got it?”

I wait for a show of the defiance I see lurking behind his dark eyes, but he’s smart enough to bide his time. He doesn’t cry or beg either, not like Declan had.

“Got it,” he replies.

I go over to him and put an arm around his shoulders. “There you go. It’s not so bad. And if you play nice with me, I can promise you lots of benefits. I reward my friends.”

Tell me all your secrets, I think. I’ll take what I need from River and leave him a hollowed-out husk. And then I’ll show those remains to Pandora and watch as she cries.

As she breaks.

Showing me she cares about somebody? Yeah, that was a mistake.

He goes rigid beneath my arm. “Sure. We can befriends,” he replies. “Does that include you ‘sharing’ Pandora with everyone in the frat house?”

I shake my head. “Everybody? No. I like cunts to be tight, not so sloppy you could fit the entire school in there. But my closest friends? Sure.” I grin at him. “You’re gonna want to be one of my friends, River.”

Violence is the easiest way to break a man, but I’ve seen other methods. My father can string somebody along, build their trust, and shatter their entire self-esteem with a few simple words.

I’ll use River—my new pawn—to his fullest extent and sacrifice him when he’s served his purpose.

River doesn’t look convinced, but that’s all right. He doesn’t have to be, not yet. In time, he’ll come around.

Asch returns, letting himself in without so much as a knock. His expression has smoothed out, no longer all storm clouds, and he flashes River a friendly smile. “Sorry about that. I think Pandora has a way of getting under people’s skin.”

“You could say that,” River says with an ugly laugh.