Page 78 of Disobedient Pawn

My father smirked and leaned back in his big leather chair as he steepled his fingers. It was an intimidation tactic but had long lost its effect on me.

I took a step toward the desk. He’d laid his keys down, and I wished he’d leave me alone long enough that I could copy a couple. I had all the shit to make duplicates but could never get close enough. He was always watching me.

“Son, you know very well there is a group actively working against us. Your job is to find out who they are and take whatever measures necessary to stop them. So far, you’ve come up empty-handed. Not only that, but you let them humiliate us by painting our symbol on Austin’s body, if what you say is indeed true and you know nothing about it.”

“It is true,” I lied, and crossed my arms.

It was hard to hand over information about yourself. I would have to give him something soon to lead him down another path.

“The group is well hidden, and I haven’t found anyone who knows who they might be affiliated with. My guess is a rival gang in the area that knows our routines, but I can’t say for sure. Besides, I’ve been saddled with other responsibilities, but I will make it my top priority from now on.”

“You better, or you just might find Devin is a more permanent fixture around here.”

“Are you threatening to make Devin your heir?” I stepped closer to the deck and glared down at my father. “I’ll never let that happen. Even if you order it,” I growled, and my father smiled.

“I don’t know what has gotten into you Son, but it’s good to see you have grown some backbone.” He reorganized some papers on this desk and then laid a folder on top of them. I narrowed my eyes at the pile, what was he trying to hide? Or was this another mind game? “I have a couple of calls to make. You may leave, but remember what I said, Nash. Find who is messing with us, or else.”

“Hey man, this is supposed to be a party. Lighten up,” Liam said, holding out a drink. “I promise I didn’t spike it.”

“Better not. You taking advantage of my ass might make Theo jealous.”

“Not if I can join,” Theo added, never lifting his head from his phone.

“I’ll be back,” Myles said and walked away.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I yelled after him, but he only shot a middle finger back.

“Probably to embarrass himself or fuck up his chances of winning even more.” Liam took a sip of his drink. “But, he does make this far more entertaining.”

* * *

Myles

Every curse word I could think of came out of my mouth as I stomped up the stairs to the main level of the sorority house. It was too pretty in here for a kegger. Guaranteed the shiny hardwood floors would be sticky by morning, and they’d be lucky if their beds weren’t permanently stained with one fluid or another.

I couldn’t believe that Snowflake agreed to come here with Blake. Seriously, how did he always manage it? My best friend was pissing me the fuck off. I marched over to the large bar and mixed myself a drink. I’d never acquired a taste for beer and preferred whiskey.

“Hey, how’s it going?”

I looked over to see Lisa leaning against the bar. Blake’s cousin was fun to hang out with, and we’d done so a fair bit when I first arrived the summer before grade ten. Shockingly, we’d never fucked. Our relationship was completely chill.

“Fine.”

“Doesn’t sound like you’re fine.”

Someone threw a football, and a moment later, three guys sailed through the air as they tried to get to it first. Cheering erupted as one of the guys I didn’t know stood with it in his hand as he howled like a wolf.

“Hey! No one breaks anything, body part or otherwise,” Lisa yelled, scolding the guys.

But they weren’t paying attention or didn’t care. I’d been that guy more than once, but Nash and his strict rules to remain on the swim team had curbed most of those tendencies. Most people would’ve walked, but I loved being on the team more than I cared how sloshed I got.

“Sorry about that. Apparently, inviting rival football teams was not such a good idea. Those idiots have been at it since they arrived.” Lisa shook her head, her blond hair waving as she did, but all I saw was my Snowflake’s hair blowing in the wind. I shook my head to get rid of the image. “So you going to spill the tea?”

“Nothing to tell,” I said, as the front door opened, and my heart stopped in my chest.

Ren looked fucking gorgeous, and suddenly I couldn’t draw a breath. She’d left her hair down, and it glittered under the flashing lights. She was wearing a pretty dress, but nothing about it should’ve set my blood on fire, yet I couldn’t look away. The short combat boots Ren wore with it made me smirk. It was so like her, the perfect combination of sweet and badass.

“Oh, now I know what’s biting your ass,” Lisa said.