Page 73 of Unexpected Prejudice

“How could you do something like that? To hurt someone that way? It’s just… it isn’t okay.”

“Oh, really? Hurting people isn’t okay?” He let out a fake laugh and clapped his hands. “I had no idea, Jordy. Thanks for letting me know.”

“I’m being serious right now.”

Raising one brow, his lips pursed. “Fine.” He dropped his hands and stood up, the sarcasm washing off his face. “I gave that son of a bitch what he deserved. I did it because I could. Is that good enough of an answer for you?”

I clenched my jaw. “No. What made him deserve that? Miles?”

“Watch it,” Shay-Lee warned as soon as I mentioned his name.

“Yeah… it’s because of him.” I bit my bottom lip and shook my head. “You’re doing all these bad things because of Miles, because he’s dating someone else instead of dating you.”

He sneered. “No, Jordan. I do them because I’m a bad guy. And it’s about time you get that.”

“That’s not true.” Shay-Lee wasn’t a bad person. No. He was a complicated guy with many secrets and power, but he wasn’t evil.

“Oh, but it is.” He turned around and started to walk toward Don’s bed. “I offered you money when I knew you couldn’t refuse.” He paused and looked at me over his shoulder. “Not because I cared, but because I wanted something in exchange. I forced you to break into their house with me.” He sat on the bed. “I made you spy on those rats for me. Get friendly with them so that I’ll have something on them.” He leaned back on his elbows. “I even made you stalk them with me. All because I don’t accept that this filthy dog gets my Miles. And despite knowing all these things, you still came here tonight and expected me to deny I beat the shit out of his ass? Please. You’re not that dumb.”

I looked down at my feet because what was I supposed to say in response? It was the truth. I knew Shay-Lee was using me to get what he wanted, but hearing him say it so bluntly was harsh. And yet, I wanted to give in. I wanted to give in and deny what was right in front of me because I wanted him. I wanted him so much that it messed with my head.

“Don’t beat yourself up over it, Jordan. I’m not saying this to make you feel bad. I’m saying it to wake you the fuck up. The sooner you get the image of who I truly am, the better.”

I looked at him. Still wearing only his briefs, he stretched back on his arms, his divine body on full display.

“Jordan,” he said, and my eyes traveled up his torso until they reached his lips. I watched with torment at the way they moved with each spoken word. Then he gestured his body with his hand. “Trust me that there’s nothing good going on underneath all of this. I deceive, lie, and take what I want, regardless of the consequences. I mean…” He paused before he looked up at me, his eyes full of unspoken emotion. “The only good thing about me is that I know how to take a cock, so why won’t you take advantage of that? Why not enjoy it while you can? Trust me, you don’t want to involve yourself more than you already have.”

He said all those words and gave me all these warnings only so I wouldn’t see what was behind his smoke screen. There was something that hurt him and made him hurt others. I was sure of it. He might have been in love with Miles and claimed only to be using me for his own good, but I knew it wasn’t the whole truth. No. The truth was that he needed someone and that someone could eventually be me.

“You’re not all that bad if you told me to stay away.”

“The fuck you talking about?” His brows pulled together in confusion, and I took the moment of vulnerability to step closer.

“You told me not to come to school today. That must mean you cared enough about me not to want me involved.” I stood right before him, so my sneakers nudged his bare feet.

“I told you to stay away because, unlike the rest of us, no one could help you out of that mess should we have gotten caught. You don’t have the money to get you out of shit. You’re broke as fuck. Remember?” he sneered, obviously trying to push me further, and looked away. But his words only pulled me deeper.

“That’s not true,” I said and reached to grab his face, forcing him to look at me. “I have you to get me out of shit.”

“What makes you so sure?” He spat out his words, trying to pretend he didn’t care.

“Because you’re not a bad person.” I watched as his eyes softened for a split second before they were filled with pain, and he pushed my hand away.

“You’re a joke,” he grunted. “Always the good guy, aren’t you?”

I shrugged. “I’m just being honest.”

“Or a complete fool.” He huffed before stretching back on the bed and spreading his legs. “Enough with this bullshit. Are you going to fuck me or not?”

That’s the thing about falling for someone. It turns you into a blind fool.

When I first saw Andrei hurt and in pain, all I could think about was the monster who did that to him. Now, when the monster in question looked back at me with captivating eyes that spoke of sorrow and kissed me with hungry lips that begged for comfort, all I could think about was how much I wanted him.

How much I was willing to give up to have him.

Jordan

Three Weeks Later