Page 66 of Wicked Lord

“She’s right,” Lexi added. “I know from personal experience.”

“Oh, I remember, and that’s exactly why I can’t stop. I won’t give up until I find out exactly what happened to my friend. And I have a feeling your boyfriend knows more than what he’s letting on.”

CHAPTER 27

THE SERPENT’S POISON

Axel

The Sigma Delta house was surprisingly quiet as I headed to the kitchen for a late afternoon snack after dropping Lorelei off at the Zeta house. She’d needed a ride home from the other side of town, and I happily obliged.

Had her father taken her car away just to punish her for breaking things off with Brock or was her family really in that much financial trouble? Mr. Battenberg seemed like the type to hold a grudge, even against his own daughter.

If things were really that rough, maybe I could?—

A door suddenly burst open and Micah darted out, nearly earning a punch to the face.

“What the hell, Preston? Are you trying to get knocked out?”

He peered down either side of the hall, sconces highlighting the dark burnished wood. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“I’m busy.”

I didn’t even want to imagine what kind of stupid, half-cooked plan this idiot thought of this time. Didn’t he realize he was being followed?

“This is important.” He grabbed my forearm and attempted to pull me into his room, but my boots remained firmly planted on the sleek hardwoods. “It’s about my friend.”

“Obviously.” I jerked out of his grip. “And like I said before, I want no part of it.”

Micah’s hazel eyes narrowed, flecks of gold burning in them. “Too bad, Vanderhart, because you’re already part of it.” He stepped into his room and motioned me in. “I want to show you something.”

“Make this fast, Preston. I’m losing my patience.” The guy had no idea how much effort it took not to knock his ass out right now.

After I entered his room and closed the door, Micah stooped by the wall near his dresser, prying up a loose floorboard.

“I found something.” He stood, closed the gap between us, and held out a woman’s yellow leather wallet. “This is Susanna Michaels’.”

A pop echoed as he opened it to a picture of a pretty brunette with a bright smile and stunning blue eyes.

“Girls lose shit all the time at our parties.” I shrugged even as cold tingles rippled down my nape.

Was she another innocent casualty from that night? Had she really seen something?

I shook the dark thought from my mind, its edges wrapped in serrated barbed wire, as Micah flipped the wallet over, revealing dark burgundy spots splattered across the other side.

“This is blood.” His hands trembled.

Acid oozed up my esophagus as I attempted to think of another explanation. “It’s probably red wine. It doesn’t prove anything.”

Harsh lines cut into his face, and he shoved the wallet into my chest. “I know the Serpents & Daggers did something to her.”

My brows furrowed as I took the wallet and tossed it on his desk, knocking over a half-empty bottle of water. “Where did you find this? I highly doubt it was left lying around all these years.”

Micah marched to his desk to right the overturned bottle. “Does it matter?” He yanked a drawer open and drew out a picture of him and Susanna smiling in front of Stonewall U’s main gate. “She didn’t run away. Something happened, and I have a feeling it has to do with Peter Dupont’s death.”

I turned away and jammed my hand through my hair as blood pounded in my ears. Micah had no idea of the darkness he was provoking in me. I fought so hard to push down the horrible person I’d become after being tormented as a little kid. That night, the bully born out of those nightmares died when Peter fell off that cliff.

But Peter didn’t fall.