Page 123 of Terror Tuesday

“Fuck, no. Not until I have my own.” Which is starting to sound like a great idea… “I have class assignments. Need to study,” I tell them, then aim for the stairs.

One could spend an entire week at my parents’ house without seeing anyone else. I like it that way. A sense of comfort envelops me in my old wing of the manor, and it still smells the same. And I feel likemehere. Especially after a hot shower and a change of clothes.

When I open my email from my rig that takes up most of the anteroom’s far wall, I freeze. There’s a random email with the subject:

Thought you should see this.

It’s from a spoofed address, too.

I open it, and the attached photo is inlaid within. My heart pounds harder, and my palm sweats on the mouse as it flashes on the screen.

It’s a picture of Nick and Olivia making out in the abandoned stacks in the library…

I stare at the photo, my stomach a knot of betrayal and rage. Nick’s hands on her hips. Olivia’s lips on his—like she’s mine, but for that moment, she forgot. My jaw tightens until it aches. An exhale whooshes from my lungs, slow, steady, and cold. Nails dig into my skin as I clench my hands into fists.

My phone buzzes on my desk, and when I check it, I lose my breath.

Unknown Number

there’s more where this came from…

thirty-three

My room feels colderthan usual. Shadows stretch longer across the walls, fingers of darkness creeping toward me. I stare at my phone, the screen blank and accusing. Valen’s silence echoes louder than any scream could.

I try to ignore it, but desperation gnaws at me. This is like waiting for Hunter to contact me on Sunday mornings all over again. Not knowing where he was or who he was with the night before…

Except Valen doesn’t seem like that kind of guy. No, he’s different.

He’s never texted much, preferring the enigmatic persona of Vanq. So maybe I just leave it at that. This is fine. He’s just…not one to contact me.

My fingers hover, hesitating, before finally dialing the number I know better as Elliot’s.

Ringing. Endless ringing. Voicemail again.

“Hey, Elliot—um, Valen. It’s Olivia. Please, call me. I just… I just want to make sure you’re safe.”

As I hang up, my heart sinks deeper into uncertainty.

What if the president sent someone after him other than me?

It’s probably him just sleeping in on a cold November weekend morning. That’s all it is. Right?

Visions of taking my Viscount to family dinner today are squelched immediately. Could I ever show up at my parents’ without my brothers wanting to hurt him? I mean, Dad already agreed to my appointment whenever we can get it formally approved, so they’llhaveto agree. If they tolerated Hunter, surely, they won’t mind Valen.

I hope.

After tidying up for the day, I grab my tote bag and stroll toward the parking lot in front ofOmega. My feet feel like I ran over rocks from serving food at the homeless shelter most of the day before, but my pink pumps were necessary to look good. That’s what’s important.

“Olivia!” Hailey’s blonde hair floats behind her in the chilled breeze as she catches me at the door of my Mercedes.

“Hey, Hailey. Sorry, I’m heading out to?—”

“Your parents, I know. I just wanted to ask you something before you left.”

“I’ll be back for the meeting tonight. We’ll talk strategy for Wicked Wednesday then.”

“This is, um, aprivatematter. It won’t take long…” She glances over her shoulder.