Page 64 of Terror Tuesday

I grip his shoulder briefly, gratitude clear in my eyes. “I don’t want you to pay for my sins.”

He doesn’t need to know about these things. It’s one reason I appreciate thathe’sthe leader and I’m just a member. I can get more accomplished without more eyes on me.

As I leave the office, uncertainty coils tight in my chest. I’ve bought some time, but at what cost? I know whatever assignment they give me will be hell. But at least Olivia remains protected.

For now.

eighteen

“Your throat must be sore.”

Elliot’s emerald eyes flash to me just as I jolt from the memory of being on my knees, in the catacombs, for a masked murderer.

My mouth waters.

I don’t want to think too deeply about that.

Blinking slowly, I find his smiling face. “I’m sorry, what?”

He leans in, sunlight and cedar clinging to his skin, and murmurs low enough to brush my collarbone. “From holding back. Not telling that douche off.”

A giggle bubbles up, so sharp I have to bite it back. He’s absolutely right, though.

“But Andersen vouched for me,” Nick jumps in. “Said he’d never seen anyone as good at predicting the crypto forecast as me.”

“Oh? And what did you say?” Elliot tosses out casually, but there’s a glint in his eye that makes my stomach flip. I pretend to type something productive as Nick launches into hisI-know-how-to-handle-this-guymonologue.

Nick pauses, eyes narrowing like Elliot’s a stray idiot who wandered in by accident. “I said I agreed, of course.”

Elliot murmurs, “Of course…”

Nick stretches back, slings his arm behind my chair like we’re on a date, then drops the hammer. “Rumor is, you and Hunter are officially done. Or I guess, if he’s missing, it doesn’t matter, huh? That true?”

My heart stutters. “Um. Yes. Yeah, we’re over. Haven’t talked to him in a while, either. And I don’t know where he is.”

It feels strange to say it in front of Elliot—like I’m admitting something fragile. But he just studies his laptop like it’s absorbing him.

“So, invite me toOmega’sHallow’s Eve party next Friday. Or, better yet, come with me toTheta’srager this weekend,” Nick says, voice smooth. “It’s about time you came home to the right fraternity.”

I can’t help it—my upper lip curls in disgust. “My brothers are in that fraternity.”

Unfazed, Nick tilts his head. “I know. Is that bad? They’re my brothers, too.”

“I think she’s not into incest, my dude,” Elliot cuts in. “But you would make some adorable cross-eyed babies with excellent crypto portfolios.”

Nick scowls but doesn’t rise to the level of an argument. He rakes a hand through his hair and stands. “Let me know. I’ll text you later. I’ve got lacrosse.”

“Uh…” I start to protest. He’s done nothing for our project, but Elliot lifts a single finger to his lips, warning me off with a small shake of his head. When he lowers it, his hand brushes against my thigh.

And lightning shoots down my leg at his touch.

Swallowing hard, I nod at Nick. “Have fun! We’ll take care of the notes.”

Once the door clicks shut behind him, the air thickens. Every breath feels like a decision. My skin hums with how near the man next to me is. Hints of being closer flash through my mind and make my thighs tighten.

Did Vanq set something loose in me that night?

He’s paid attention to my darkest desires, read them in my diaries. Knew just how to handle them.