Kingpin (Court University 2)

“In what ways?”

“Well, for starters, it’s not as easy to come up as it is here.” He lifted his hand to the digs, letting me know he obviously didn’t always have such luxury around him.

I couldn’t assume anything, but rumors said drugs were involved and LJ basically confirmed that at the party.

Niko frowned. “But honestly, outside of that, I would have liked to have stuck around. Been closer to my mom.” He snagged a pillow, strong-arming it between his thick arms. “She’s sick. Breast cancer.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say really, probably the wrong thing.

Niko lifted a hand. “She’s doing okay with her treatments. Doesn’t want me to worry much, but I do wish I was closer. I plan on coming right back home after I finish school, and I send everything I can her and my sister’s way. The least I could do.”

Enjoying what I’d learned about him, I brought my legs up on the couch. “And here I thought you were just some meathead with a loaded wallet.”

“Oh, my wallet is very much loaded.” His arm dropped around me, those dark eyebrows waggling. “And though I’m not as smart as Jay, I’m far from a meathead. Grades back home got me a partial scholarship, but Jay…” He whistled. “Full ride. Guy’s a fucking tank. I call him a genius, but he said it’s just hard work.”

Seeing his most recent efforts in school, I saw a glimmer of that genius. As far as hard work or lack thereof, I’d seen that too. “Well, he could stand to try a little in my class.”

“Yeah?” He lounged back, hands tucked behind his

head. “I guess I’m not surprised. You drive him crazy, Queenie. Frankly, I’m blown away he has any type of average at all with you around.”

“Well, he drives me crazy.” Taking the pillow, I tossed it at him. He fought me a bit with it before a barked throat clear made us both shift on the couch.

LJ, his tie loosened, had his jacket over his arm. He’d looked fucking sexy before, but now, his dark shirt labored at the seams, his shoulders thick and his golden chest exposed. He had the top button of his dress shirt popped open and basically smoldered before me.

I wet my lips despite myself and pretty much eased off Niko’s lap since we’d been wrestling.

At least, I tried to.

Niko pulled me right back, dropping an arm around me when he grinned up at his friend. “Sup, bro?”

LJ twitched like Niko flashed him, his eyes cold. Tossing his jacket on the couch, he moved fingers through his perfect hair. “What the fuck is this? A hot tub party? You said you were just taking her home.”

I angled a look over at Niko. He shrugged. “I texted him while I was upstairs changing. That I was getting you home—”

“And nowhere in that text did you include her ass basically all over you.” Jaw clenched, LJ crossed the distance, and Niko lifted a hand.

“Give me a break, Jay. Her boyfriend’s over at her house being a stalker—”

“Ex-boyfriend,” I raised a finger, but even still, LJ’s eyes flashed wildly for some reason. Before I knew it, he was striding in the opposite direction.

“Where the fuck is the fucker?” he charged, exiting the room completely. “I’m going to fry his ass.”

I pushed Niko. “Shouldn’t we go stop him?”

LJ looked pissed, and he might just kill Sinclair. Though I had no idea why. I started to get up, but Niko tugged me back.

“Like to see you try,” he stated, chuckling. “Anyway, wait it out. I checked earlier and your guy is gone.”

“So why am I still here—” Again, I moved to get up, but again, I was pulled back down. I pouted.

“Because he might come back?” he stated the fact like it was obvious, and I jumped at a door slam. LJ had obviously left, and at this point, Niko chuckled, then pointed a finger at me. “Now, how about a real drink? Might be a long night with Jay all up in his feelings. Goes better with alcohol.”

He started to get up, and palming my face, I nodded. “You got wine?”

“Sure thing.”

A quick exit, and he eventually came back, a glass of dark wine in his hand. His arrival also happened to coincide with LJ, who entered the room with his shirt basically open, the guy amped the hell up like fucking Hulk. LJ’s shoulders laboring with breath, Niko cut in front of him.