Page 48 of River of Deceit

“Asch, good timing,” I say. “I’ve been thinking, since you’re going to be River’s Big Brother, I might as well take him into my fold too. We’ll make sure he gets through the pledge process together.” I pat River’s jaw. “Lucky you.”

“Yeah,” he says, deadpan. “Lucky.”

I notice Asch looking at us with narrowed eyes, but the second he realizes I’m watching him, his expression smooths out.

I let go of River and go back to my desk. “All right. Youdidcockblock me, River, but I’ll forgive you this time. Just make sure you’re on time for bid acceptance on Saturday.” I sit down and swivel my chair around. “Pledging starts the week after that. It’s a grueling process. I wasn’t kidding about weaklings not being able to handle it.”

“Good thing I’m no weakling,” River replies. He stays standing, even though Asch goes to my bed and sits down on the edge. “If that’s all? I can see myself out.”

“Yeah, we’re done.” I wave River away, and he leaves, shutting the door behind him. If he goes snooping in other frat brothers’ rooms… well, that’ll teach them the need to keep their doors locked.

“What was that all about?” Asch asks.

I shake my head. “Not sure. Pandora tried to beg me to go easy on River. Clearly he isn’t here out of some desire for brotherhood.”

“So whyishe here?” Asch wonders aloud, though I don’t think he expects me to have the answer to that question. “I keep telling you, Blaze. Something’s going on with her. I think we should write them both off.”

There’s definitely something wrong with Pandora, but that’s all the more reason to keep going and find out all the ways she’s wrong.

I shake my head. “You worry too much, Asch. Now that we’ve gotRiver here, she can’t do anything. Her soft spot for him is going to be her undoing.”

Asch doesn’t look convinced, but he nods. “What about the Giulio Pavone link?” he asks.

Whatever Asch is going to be doing for me in the future, he definitely doesn’t need to get involved in the sordid underworld right now.

“He’s a has-been,” I say easily. “My dad’s been making in-roads up north. There’s been no word from the Pavones at all. Even if he’s as ‘crazy’ as people say, I don’t think he’s somebody to worry about. Pandora was running her mouth, trying to get River into the frat.”

“Interesting that she’s bragging about mafia ties to try to get her friend into Kappa Alpha,” Asch remarks.

“So she did a bit of research on me. Her and every other woman on campus.” I smile at him. “Maybe she has a notebook with my photo plastered inside. Pandora Bouchard, hearts hearts hearts.”

Let it go, Asch.

Asch sighs. “You’re determined not to listen to me on this, huh?”

“Come on, I got you this Big Brother deal now. That means you can keep an extra close eye on River. That’s the sexy protection plan that gets you off, right?” I say.

“I don’t get off on…” Asch protests.

I grin wider. “No? Then why’d you get all bodyguard downstairs? I noticed you body blocking for me. Were you running extraction scenarios in your head?” I joke. “Oh yeah. Bullet trajectories, bullet resistant vests….” I make a jerking-off motion.

“Shut up, you dick.” Asch gets up, walking over to me and standing in front of me. He stares down at me, and I’m not sure what he’s thinking as he tousles my hair. “I just worry about you, Blaze. Someone has to.”

“Seriously, you worry too much.” I push his hand aside. “Anyway, let’s get back to cleaning out your room. You won’t be able to do any homework in there the way it is right now. And yeah, you might be an econ major, but you’ll still need to copy and paste a few essays.”

Asch’s expression shifts into what I know is disappointment, but I’m not thinking too hard aboutwhyhe’s disappointed. “Yeah,” he says. “I can get it done, Blaze. You don’t have to help.”

I know better, though. Without my help, it’s never going to get done.

“It’s not like I’ve got anything else to do. Besides, we don’t want you to get kicked out on account of the mess.” I get up and head for the door. “New semester, fresh start and all.” I laugh and incline my head at him. “How else are we gonna bend Pandora over your bed?”

“That’s what your room is for,” he mutters, but he lets me lead him toward the door. His mood has crashed and burned, but he’ll get over it.

He always does.

10

PANDORA