Page 133 of Terror Tuesday

The wall behind him is covered in TV screens. Along the sides are tall shelves with something like servers.

“What’s all this?”

He shrugs. “My new war room. Or…I guess it needs better flooring, but this rug looks alright. I still need to use the warehouse to meet campus bros for business, but otherwise, I can do personal things here.” Standing abruptly, he holds out his hand for me to take. “I want to show you something.”

I down the rest of my coffee, then place the mug on his wide L-shaped desk and follow him.

Through a small door at the side, one I thought may have led to a conservatory, we slip into a room with two-story ceilings. At the top of the room is a loft filled with floor-to-ceiling bookcases and a rolling ladder.

Below, in front of an arched window looking out onto the gently sloping hills, is a large wooden table. On that lays a stack of journals and a bottle of ink.

A fluffy white rug and an overstuffed pink chintz chair sit in the corner next to a small fireplace lit with roaring flames.

Dangling from the windows are glass Monarch butterflies that catch the light as it waves inside.

It’s gorgeous. Cozy…

When I peer at Valen, he’s got his hands in his pockets, sheepishly awaiting my response. “What is this?” I ask.

“I thought maybe you’d want a special place to write in your diary.”

My heart beats fast as tears heat my eyes. Maybe I hadn’t seen it. Maybe I didn’t even know, buthedid. “I need this,” I whisper. “I’veneededthis.”

Then, I turn my body into his waiting embrace as he places a warm kiss on my head. “I know, baby. It’s all yours. You’re home.”

thirty-six

The autumn eveningis slowly approaching, but before the night’s festivities, I need to handle some business.Theta’svice president isn’t waiting for me at the warehouse like he said he would. I’ll give him five minutes before I leave. It was just a quick background check on some girl he’s probably interested in anyway. Will only take me five minutes to gather a report on everything.

But as I skirt through the alley, mask pulled taut, I feel eyes on me…

Standing still, I scan my surroundings,sensingsomeone. My jaw tightens as I unlock the door and slide it open.

Inside, things are quiet, other than a buzz from the fluorescent lights. But the air is disturbed with a familiar scent I can’t place. Patting my pocket, I check for my knife and pull it out, then creep toward the computer room. Everything is off. Even when I flip the switch, no lights come on.

“Who’s there?” I ask the void.

A tiny breath responds.

Blade held up, I reach for my phone’s flashlight, but before I dig it out, a robotic voice freezes me.

“Abby Meyerson. Your first crush. She was raped and murdered by…” The voice hesitates. “Reggie Blackwell.”

I can’t breathe. Who is this? One of my brothers messing with me?

“Yeah…”

“She liked your family’s money. And thought you were a dork who played too muchWorld of Warcraft. You even cheated by buying gold, then setting up currency farmers for you in the game so you could wear the best armor, correct?”

“Who are you?” With a swift movement, I pull out my phone and flash the light around until a curvy figure covered with a full-face mask appears hidden behind a shelf in the corner.

“My V? You were a cheater. And a cute one at that…” She holds up a picture of me in braces. Thick glasses. Playing on my old rig in my room. A picture one of my brothers must have taken back in the day.

My shoulders drop as I tighten my lips. I’m half-pissed. And half-impressed. But fully going to punish her.

I rush over to Olivia and grab her around the waist, hoist her over my shoulder, and smack the shit out of her ass as she squeals and drops her voice changer.

“Did you just fuckingstalkme?” I ask.