Page 25

S ilas called for a full frat meeting as soon as he, Kai, and Sable returned. Apparently, it’s time to address the elephant in the room—me. They want to make a statement, clear the air, whatever the hell that means. Really, it’s just a glorified trial where I get to stand there while they decide if I’m worth their loyalty or if I’m better off leaving for dead. Fun.

The murmuring from downstairs grows louder. AGU is small, so our frat isn’t exactly bursting at the seams, but who the fuck even knows how many of them are still loyal these days.

Probably not enough.

Sable is perched on my bed, her drawing pad resting in her lap, her pencil moving in perfect little strokes. She’s consumed by whatever’s in her head—her brow furrowed in that way that makes her look lost and untouchable at the same time. A part of me wants to stay. To let them talk their shit while I lie here with her, letting the world burn itself down to ashes. But instead, I sigh and pull my hair back into a bun.

I lean against my desk chair for a moment, watching her. “You’re lucky you’re not invited to this circus.”

She glances up, her eyes softening when they meet mine. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Be quick,” she says with a wink.

“I hope this is the only instance you’ll ever want me to be quick. Be back soon, trouble.”

I could stay here forever, soaking in her warm fucking cunt, but the weight of what’s downstairs pulls me like a fucking noose around my neck. With one last glance at Sable, I straighten and head down to the lair of judgment.

The den is packed with more people than I expected. It’s suffocating, the weight of their stares already clawing at me before I even hit the bottom step.

All eyes turn to me. Some are curious, some wary, and others are downright hostile. It’s the hostility that hits me first, sharp and bitter. The stench of judgment is thick in the air.

The Syndicate doesn’t make mistakes. So, if they took me, it makes me seem guilty.

Victor’s scowl deepens as I step further into the room, his posse of frat boys flanking him like they’re guarding a king. There’s Chad, his hair gelled back so tight it looks like his scalp might crack, and Nate, who always has this stupid fucking smirk plastered across his face, like he’s in on a joke no one else gets. Behind them is Bryce, who doesn’t say much but watches everything like a hawk, his cold, calculating eyes darting between me and the others.

I don’t trust any of them. Especially not Victor. The guy’s been gunning for Silas’ position since the day he pledged, and I can see it in his sneer that my return is just more fuel for whatever fire he’s stoking.

The question is: Is Victor a killer? Or is he just an entitled prick who doesn’t know when to shut the fuck up?

Jeremy’s clap on my shoulder pulls me out of my thoughts. He’s always been one of the good ones, the kind of guy who doesn’t get involved in the bullshit politics of the house. He’s tall and broad-shouldered, with an easy grin that makes people trust him, even when they shouldn’t. Except he didn’t wrap Sable’s hands right that one night. I should want to kill him for that.

“Seriously, man, it’s good to have you back,” Jeremy says.

“Thanks,” I mutter, glancing over his shoulder at the crowd. “I heard what happened to Mariana,” I say. Jeremy and her had been dating for about a year or so.

He nods solemnly. “Funeral was last week. Shit fucking sucks. But her killer is out there.”

“The Syndicate will find who’s responsible.”

“Thanks, man.”

My gaze lands on Ryan, the quiet one who spends most of his time in the library, and Blake, who’s pacing by the window, his hands stuffed in his hoodie pocket. Neither of them meets my eye, but they’re not looking at Victor, either. That makes them interesting.

Do I think any of these guys could kill someone? Four someones? My gut churns. The idea of one of them—the assholes I’ve shared beers with and argued over football with—being capable of something so brutal feels like a fucking joke. But I know better. I know what people can do when they’re desperate enough, angry enough.

I glance back at Victor, who’s muttering something to Chad.

Yeah, Victor could do it. He has the ego for it, the drive to make a statement. But does he have the balls? Killing someone isn’t just a power move. It’s personal. You have to want it. Crave it. None of the murders were ones of passion. They were ones that were thought out.

Ryan, though… there’s something about the way he keeps to himself, the way he avoids the petty bullshit that makes me pause. Quiet guys like him are hard to read. You never know what’s boiling under the surface until it spills over.

And then there’s Blake. He’s been pacing the room since I got here, his hands shoved so deep in his hoodie pockets like he’s hiding something. Maybe it’s nerves. Maybe it’s guilt. Or maybe he’s just an anxious fuck who doesn’t know how to sit still. Either way, I make a mental note to keep an eye on him.

I glance around the room one more time, cataloging every face, every whisper.

I don’t trust any of them.

Not yet.

But I’ll figure it out. One way or another, I’ll find the killer. And when I do?

They’ll wish they were never fucking born.

Silas steps forward. “All right, settle down. We’ve got shit to discuss.”

The murmurs die down as everyone shifts their focus to him. But I don’t miss the way Victor’s lip curls again like he’s waiting for an opportunity to pounce.

Silas gestures for me to step forward, and I do. My gaze sweeps the room, meeting each stare with cold defiance.

“Let’s get this over with,” I mutter under my breath.

Silas steps forward, and the room goes dead silent. He’s wearing that smug, unshakable confidence like an armor, and it grates on me as much as it reassures me.

“All right,” Silas begins. “We’re here for one reason. Levi.”

He gestures to me without looking. “He’s back. He’s staying. And before anyone starts running their damn mouths, let me make one thing very fucking clear…”

Silas steps closer to the center of the room, his hands in his pockets, his posture casual but lethal. His eyes narrow as he zeroes in on Victor, then sweeps his gaze over the others, daring anyone to interrupt.

“The Syndicate is on our side.”

A few guys shift uncomfortably, exchanging glances. Victor’s sneer falters for half a second before he doubles down, crossing his arms tighter across his chest.

“That’s right. The Syndicate. They cleared Levi of all suspicions. So, unless you think your judgment holds more weight than theirs—which it fucking doesn’t—you can keep your half-baked opinions to yourself.”

Victor scoffs loudly. “So, we’re just supposed to take your word for it?”

“No, Victor. You’re supposed to take their word for it. But if that’s too complicated for you to process, feel free to step outside and think it over—permanently.”

The room tenses, a collective intake of breath as Silas and Victor lock eyes. The air between them practically crackles, and for a moment, I’m half-convinced Silas is going to lunge.

But Victor, for all his posturing, doesn’t make a move. His lips press into a thin line, his jaw tight, but he stays silent.

“That’s what I thought,” Silas mutters. He turns his back on Victor, addressing the room again. “Look, I don’t give a shit if you like Levi or not. But he’s one of us. And unless you want to explain to the Syndicate why you’ve suddenly got a problem with their decision, I suggest you get the fuck over it.”

Silas tilts his head, “Anything else? No? Great. Meeting adjourned. Now get out of my den.”

As the group begins to disperse, murmurs ripple through the air. Silas walks over to me, clapping a hand on my shoulder.

“You’re welcome,” he mutters under his breath.

“For what? Putting a target on my back?”

Silas grins. “For reminding them why we’re better.”

I shove my hands into my pockets and head upstairs, taking the stairs two at a time, desperate to get away from the noise, the scrutiny, the suffocating sense of being on trial.

“Levi.”

“What?” I snap, my hands clenching at my sides. “Here, to tell me to smile and play nice?”

Kai doesn’t flinch. Instead, he steps closer, the intensity in his eyes daring me to push him away. “No, I’m here to make sure you’re not about to burn the whole fucking house down.”

I scoff. “Because everyone’s so fucking worried about my feelings, right?”

Kai moves quickly, his hand grabbing my arm before I can get away. His grip is firm, almost punishing, and it sends a jolt through me that’s as infuriating as it is grounding. “You think I don’t hate how they are acting? I saw the way they looked at you. I heard Victor running his mouth before you even walked in.”

“Then maybe you should’ve told Silas to skip the fucking spectacle,” I snarl, my voice rising as I try to pull away. But Kai’s grip tightens on my arm.

“You needed to face them, Levi,” Kai says, stepping closer, his body crowding mine, leaving no space to escape. “The killer may be one of them. You need to let them know you aren’t backing down.”

I open my mouth to fire back, but his free hand cups my jaw, tilting my face up until I have no choice but to meet his gaze.

“Kai…”

His thumb brushes along my jawline, his eyes burning into mine. “You’re pissed. Fine. Be pissed at everyone. Hate them. Fight them. But don’t you dare think for a second that I’ll let you tear yourself apart.”

The space between us evaporates as he steps even closer, his lips hovering over mine, his breath warm and taunting. “You’ve been through hell, Levi. Let me remind you of what it feels like to be alive. Here. With me.”

I don’t have time to respond before his lips crash against mine. It’s not a kiss. It’s a challenge, a demand that strips away every wall I’ve built. I snarl against his mouth, my hand fisting his shirt and yanking him closer than his teeth graze my bottom lip, biting down hard enough to sting.

He’s barely touched me since I’ve been back. Almost as if he is scared that if he does, I will simply vanish. When in reality the only thing I’ve done is crave his touch. His love. His desire burns through my veins, watching him watch me.

His other hand moves to my hair, gripping tightly as he tilts my head back, deepening the kiss with a ferocity that makes my knees weak. He doesn’t hold back, and neither do I, meeting his intensity with everything I have. The frustration, the anger, the need—it all spills out onto the hallway floor.

Kai breaks the kiss, his forehead pressing against mine, his breathing harsh and uneven. “I’ll always choose your hell over anyone else’s heaven.”

I don’t respond, but my grip on his shirt tightens, and he seems to understand. His hand trails down my arm before brushing against my fingers in a silent invitation.

“Come on,” he says with a soft chuckle in his throat. “Before I suck your dick in this hallway.”

He tugs me toward my room.

“Sable’s in there.” I grin.

“Good. She can watch.” He steals another kiss before turning back around, his hand grabbing my wrist and pulling me down the hallway.

When we reach my room, Kai opens the door without hesitation, stepping aside to let me in first. Inside, Sable looks up from her sketchbook, her eyes lighting up as she sees us. She doesn’t say anything, but the way her lips curve into a small, soft smile says everything I need to hear.

And for the first time tonight, I feel like I can fucking breathe.

“Everything okay?” she asks, setting her pencil down.

Kai smirks, the kind of smirk that says he’s already planning something reckless. “Oh, we are about to be better than okay.”

Sable tilts her head. “Is that so?”

Kai moves to sit behind Sable on the bed, his arm slipping around her waist as he leans in close, his lips brushing her temple. “Levi was just reminded how much of an idiot Victor is,” he says. “Normal bullshit frat stuff.” He places his legs on either side of her so she stays nestled in between his legs.

“What did he say?”

“Nothing I haven’t heard before,” I mutter, shoving my hands into my pockets. I shrug, trying to downplay it, but I can tell by the way her gaze sharpens that she doesn’t buy it.

“Asshole, I’ve never liked him,” Sable hisses, sitting up straighter, her sketchbook sliding off her lap onto the bed. Her indignation on my behalf makes something in my chest tighten. She looks at me, her eyes softening. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah… Yeah… Just... needed to get out of there.”

“You should’ve seen him. Looked like he was ready to burn the whole house down.”

Sable’s lips twitch, a faint smile breaking through the worry. “That’s my Levi.”

Her words catch me off guard, and for a moment, I just stare at her.

My Levi.

Something about the way she says it, like it’s a fact, like it’s a given, settles the chaos inside me.

Kai’s eyes catch mine. “Are you just going to stand there? You were talking a big game in the hallway just a few minutes ago.”

I cross the room in a few strides, kicking off my shoes and climbing onto the bed with them. Catching Sable’s lips in a kiss. I pour every bit of chaos into her, and she takes it with hesitation, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt, pulling me closer.

Kai doesn’t move away. Instead, he shifts closer, his hand finding Sable’s jaw, tilting her face toward him as he steals her lips from mine.

I love them.

The Syndicate could kill me tomorrow for all I care.

But it’s them.

They are the reason I will find this killer

They are the reason I will stay.

My hand tangles in Kai’s shirt, pulling him toward me until his lips crash into mine. Sable is caught between us, her breath hitching as I lean over her shoulder. The kiss is rough, demanding, and his tongue brushes against mine.

Sable tugs at my shirt, working it up my torso with careful hands, her touch light around my almost-healed bruises. I shrug the shirt off and toss it aside without breaking the kiss. Kai’s hands move with purpose, sliding under her sweatshirt to reveal her perfect fucking breasts.

“Do you ever wear a bra?” I tease the words low and rough as I pinch her nipple between my fingers, rolling it just enough to make her gasp.

She bites her lip, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “No.”

“Little fucking troublemaker.”

My head dips to take her nipple into my mouth. My tongue flicks over the hardened peak, earning a soft moan from her that shoots straight through to my cock.

Sable grinds her hips against Kai’s lap, her hands tangling in his hair as he continues to assault her mouth.

I trail my kisses lower, down her abdomen, my tongue tracing the soft curves of her skin until I reach the lacy neon pink panties clinging to her hips. I pause, taking her in, her chest heaving, her pupils blown wide with lust.

“No pants either?”

“No, sir.”

“Fuck.” I hook my fingers in them and pull the fabric to the side. Her pussy glistens, wet and ready, and the sight alone nearly breaks what’s left of my self-control. “You’re dripping, Trouble.”

Her legs shift, spreading wider, inviting me closer, and my chest tightens at the trust in the simple gesture. Kai leans into her, his lips trailing along her throat, his teeth graze the sensitive skin.

My fingers trail along her slit, gathering her slick before pressing lightly against her entrance. I plunge a finger inside, the heat of her clenching around me. Her moan is divine, a sound I could fucking die for, and I curl my finger just right, coaxing another from her lips.

“God, you’re so tight,” I murmur, adding another finger and watching as her body arches, her hands gripping the back of Kai’s neck for support.

“God damn. Y’all look so fucking good.”

Sable whimpers, her nails digging into Kai’s skin as she rocks her hips against my hand. My free hand slides up her thigh, spreading her wider, giving me more access as I lean down, my mouth replacing my fingers. I lap at her clit, circling it with my tongue before sucking gently, and her cry of pleasure echoes in the room.

“Levi,” she gasps, her hands flying to my hair, gripping tightly as I devour her, my tongue exploring every inch of her. Kai watches, his dark eyes filled with heat, his hand playing with her nipple as he leans into her ear.

“Tell him how good he’s making you feel, Mahal.”

“So good,” she chokes out, her back arching as I slide my fingers back inside her, curling them to hit just the right spot. “Fuck, Levi—don’t stop.”

My lips brushing her clit as I glance up at her flushed face. “Don’t worry, Trouble. I’m not going anywhere.”

Kai’s free hand tilts her chin toward him, capturing her mouth in a deep, possessive kiss. She moans into it, her body caught between us, and I feel her walls tightening around my fingers, the telltale sign of her release building.

“Let go for us, Sable,” I command as I suck her clit into my mouth again, flicking it with my tongue. “Come for us.”