Page 53 of Under the Lights (The Big Boys of BRU #2)
Forty Three
Sierra/Ella
Sierra
“We’ve got enough. Hope they like orange jumpsuits and bad lighting.”
The sharp angles of Dom’s face were shadowed by the dim lighting in the living room. He was massaging my feet, a satisfied glint in his eyes, as a small moan of pleasure escaped my lips.
I nodded. “I’m not getting caught up in all this, though. I wish there was a way to keep our names out of it.” My brows furrowed. “This could destroy both of our career prospects, you do realize that, right?”
“Then we just have to play it smart. There’s nothing really tying us to the case. We just happened to find the evidence.” He shrugged.
“Okay, not to interrupt whatever sexy revenge plot this is,” Ella’s voice rang out from behind us, making us both whip our heads around, “but am I packing snacks or an alibi? Just trying to plan ahead.”
She was standing barefoot in her doorway, drowning in a giant hoodie, one brow arched. I stiffened, not sure how to read her, but Dom just grinned like this was the most fun he’d had all week.
“Depends,” he said. “You want in?”
“Color me intrigued, little bro.” She strolled over to the couch, eyeing us both. “So? What’s going on?”
Dom and I shared a look, then I sighed.
If I was already dragging one Kincaid into this, what was one more?
“Someone’s been siphoning money through my old sorority — donations, event funds, member dues. I caught on. They tried to rope me in, and when I refused, they kicked me out. I’ve been collecting proof ever since.”
Ella’s eyes went wide. “Holy shit. That’s messed up.”
“Yeah,” I exhaled. “I’ve got the evidence. I just don’t want it traced back to me. If this blows up, they’ll go full scorched earth. And I’m not in the mood to get burned.”
Ella was quiet for a beat, then her face lit up with a dangerous grin. “Okay. I might know someone.”
“Ella—” I started, wary.
“Relax,” she said, already pulling out her phone. “I know what I’m doing. Also, you’re basically family now, and we Kincaids look out for our own.”
“We might actually be Johanssons,” Dom said casually. “Still being debated.”
I groaned, glancing between them. “We’re not getting married.”
Ella snorted. “Told you, you’re screwed. No one out-stubborns my brother.”
Dom held up a finger. “Correction — we’re not getting married yet . Totally happening, eventually.”
“You’re impossible,” I muttered, throwing my hands up.
“Yeah, but you still love me,” he said, all smug and shameless.
I blinked. Froze. My mouth went dry. Did he just—?
Ella’s phone buzzed. She glanced at it, then grinned. “We’ve got a deal.”
***
Ella
Hunter leaned back in his chair, his fingers already flying across the keyboard as I watched with interest. Did I have even the faintest idea what magic spells he was casting there?
Nope . But nobody said I was interested in the code on the screen. What I definitely was interested in was the way those big hands moved.
If they were that fast and nimble on a keyboard, one could only wonder what they might be able to do in other places. His equipment hummed softly, and the glow of the screens was illuminating the sharp features of his face.
“This is felony-level chaos. You know that, right?” Hunter’s voice was casual, borderline bored, as though we were discussing the weather.
“Mhm. But who doesn’t like a little chaos.”
“I don’t.”
I arched a brow. “So why do this then?”
“This is a favor. You will owe me a favor in return.” His cool, gray eyes cut to me for a second.
“Depends on how clean you make it.”
He scoffed like I’d said something funny. Probably the first time I’d seen this dude even slightly amused. Guess that meant challenge accepted.
***
I sat in the library, tucked into a corner desk, my laptop open, earbuds in, and pretending to study. What I was really doing was watching the world unravel, one notification at a time .
It started slowly, like a small snowball rolling down a hill and growing larger with each turn.
First, a Reddit thread titled Sorority Treasurer Scandal?? , popped up. One comment. Then six. Then a whole flood of them.
Including a screenshot of a Venmo history — the names were blacked out, but the dollar amounts told the story of payments that didn’t match any official events.
The comments were brutal.
“Hope that Dior bag was worth federal charges, babe.”
“Imagine stealing from a philanthropy event.”
“We had a bake sale so Madison could get lip filler???”
Next, the spreadsheet leaked. Tab after tab labeled:
“EXCESS TRANSFERS”
“VENMO TO PERSONAL”
“MATCHED SCREENSHOTS”
I swallowed a laugh as someone posted, “This Excel sheet has more drama than my dating life.”
This was fucking gold. Owing Hunter a favor was so worth it.
By noon, the campus paper’s digital front page got updated with the headline:
Student Funds Misused? Investigation Underway.
Sources claim an anonymous tip provided substantial digital evidence of misappropriated funds by Greek Life leadership.
Flipping through my apps, I paused when a notification popped up — someone had gone live on IG. I tapped it. A frat bro was on camera, pacing in front of their house, wild-eyed as he stammered, “We didn’t know anything, okay?”
In the background, someone shrieked, “Delete the drive! Delete the f—”
I doubled over laughing. The chaos was chef’s kiss , and I could only imagine the satisfaction Sierra and my brother were feeling right now.
Helping them felt good. Hell, I lived to make the people I loved happy. And if you messed with my family? You messed with me. Simple as that.
Switching to my messages, I texted Hunter.
Ella: You’re a menace.
Hunter: You’re welcome.
A grin stretched my lips. Even though he barely spoke, I quite enjoyed my interactions with Hunter. He was interesting and just so real . I’d never met anyone like him, and I doubted I ever would again.
***
Sierra
The lights were low, and soft music was playing in the background, but neither of us was paying attention to it. We were curled up together on the couch, my laptop open between us.
Another alert dinged.
“Two senior members under formal review. Treasurer suspended from all leadership roles pending investigation.” Dom read quietly.
“It’s really happening.” I said after a beat. I didn’t feel giddy. Nor smug. This just felt … final . Like the closing of a chapter that tried too hard to erase me from its pages.
“You did it.”
I looked at him, returning his gaze — warm, steady, safe. “ We did.”
There was a pause, the silence only lasting for a moment, before the hum of a phone buzzed on the table.
Another notification. Another nail in their coffin, another step closer to the grave they dug themselves.
And I didn’t give a singular fuck.
My fingers curled into Dom’s shirt as I exhaled. It wasn’t quite relief, but something deeper.
Like I was finally standing on ground that wouldn’t give out underneath me. Like I was finally where I was supposed to be.
“I’m done with this chapter of my life.”
“Good. The next one is already waiting for us.” His fingers grazed over my arm.
I watched the screen go dark. Not everything was fixed, but a huge load had just been taken off my shoulders.
The lies. The leverage. The loneliness.
I leaned against his chest, basking in his warmth and scent.
“Feels weird,” I murmured.
“What does?” I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Being okay.”
There was a long pause, and I almost thought he wouldn’t say anything. Then—
“Get used to it, Darlin’.”
Instead of answering, I just let my hand come to rest over his heart, anchoring the two of us here, in this moment, as the world outside went up in flames.
Let them fall. I wasn’t running anymore. Not from the fire. Not from the truth. Not from him.
We’d lit the match together — and this time, I’d walked through it whole.