Page 37 of Ruthless Chaos

“Does he have an accent?”

I nod. “Yes, he—”

Tara slams on the brakes, jerking the vehicle so hard I can’t finish my sentence. I look around quickly, suddenly thankful that the road is so narrow and lonely. She could have caused an accident!

She’s looking at me with wide eyes and an outrageous smile on her face.

“You’re the gift that keeps on fucking giving,” she says, a clipped laugh falling from her lips. “It’s been two days and I’m wondering if I was all wrong about you.”

I’m confused. “What are you talking about?”

“You fucked Alexander Duke.” Her voice is pitched higher than normal, like she’s trading silly secrets at a sleepover. “He’s the president of Kingmaker House.” She squeals, shaking her hands. “Cassidy is fucking obsessed with him.”

My blood runs cold. “Cassidy from Hemlock?”

Tara nods vigorously. “Yes, Cassidy Coldwell. I’m sure you’ve met her.”

“Are they dating?”

Somehow, knowing that she likes him rips a hole through my chest, even though I told myself I need to stayfaraway from him after what he did to me.

During initiation, Cassidy paid special attention to me—especially to the bruises on my neck. Oh god, if they’re dating and she thinks that I had sex with him…

I can’t even bring myself to finish the thought.

Tara makes a snorting sound. “She wishes they were. Cassidy hounds him like a dog,” Tara rolls her eyes. “It’s like an unspoken rule in the House. Alexander’s off-limits.” She chuckles. “I honestly think her plan is to frighten every girl off him so she will be his only choice.”

I can’t imagine a girl like Cassidy being that desperate.

Tara’s explanation gives me calm, though. Cassidy probably doesn’t think we had sex, after all. If she thought that, things would have gone differently last night.

“I don’t think she knows, else she would have had me kicked out. Please don’t tell anyone.” Then I add after a moment, “It was just a one-time thing. I won’t see him again.”

“Your secret’s safe with me.” Tara mimics locking her lips and throwing away the key. “It’s for the better anyway. Cassidy would make your life hell.”

We start moving down the road again, this time in silence.

Part of me wonders if she’ll actually keep it a secret—I don’t know much about Tara’s other friends, but it would make for a good story.

At least if it does get out, I’ll be certain of her character once and for all. I’m not sure how much that will help me when I’m relegated to Hell House, though.

Now I have another secret to keep if I want to survive here.

“Do you know where I can find more information on the Houses at the university?”

Tara shrugs. “Maybe in the library,” she mumbles. “Why?”

Fumbling with the fringe of my shirt, I suck in a breath.

I have more to lose if I can’t prepare myself for what’s ahead. Being honest with Tara this one time won’t hurt. After this conversation, I can go back to keeping my guard up.

“I don’t know a thing about this place and I can’t find anything online.”

If she’s surprised by what I’ve said, it doesn’t show. “We’ve got twenty minutes to kill,” she says. “Ask me some of the questions you have. I’ll help you get the rest of the answers.”

Her offer seems kind. I’m a little skeptical, but not enough to pass it up.

“Well for starters, what’s the big deal about the Houses? I thought they were just dorms.” I get the impression that if I said that to a random person on campus, they would know that I’m not who I say I am.