The Ritual

I know who she is. I also know that it doesn’t matter that she’s promised to Matt. He’s pissed off the Lords and lost his chance at her being his chosen.

Prickett thinks she’s free game, but that’s the furthest from the truth.

She’s mine.

It wasn’t a coincidence that she ran into me this morning. I put myself in her way and waited for her to look up and notice me. I’ve been following her ever since I was told to choose her two weeks ago. Learning her schedule and the places she goes. She lives a very boring life, that’s for sure.

I was, however, surprised that I liked the way she looked, staring up at me from on her ass. Vulnerable. Easy prey.

“That’s Matt’s girl? They’re still together?” Gunner asks, pulling his cell out of his pocket.

“He seems to think so.” She won’t be for long.

“She had the flyer in her hand,” Prickett states.

“I saw.” By the way it was wadded up, I think it’s safe to assume she’s not coming. My comment about strays and chose to be taken must have piqued her interest. Good. I want her asking around and finding out just who I am. I’m definitely more of a man than Matt. All she has to do is ask him.

“Dude, she’s got to be a virgin.” Gunner laughs. “Sure you want to fuck with that? Take someone without some experience.”

“Doubtful,” I mutter.

I know she and Matt have never had sex, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t fucked someone else. But that would be the icing on the cake, wouldn’t it? If I took his woman and fucked her before he ever had the chance. Plus, it just makes her ten times more interesting. And my cock even more desperate for her.

“She’s on the list,” Gunner adds, scrolling through names on his cell.

I already knew she was on there. Blakely Rae Anderson is to be chosen. Just not by the guy she expects, but definitely the better choice.

BLAKELY

“MATT?” I CALL out when I spot him in the library sitting at a table. And what do you know? He’s texting away on his phone. “You better be responding to me.”

“Shh.” He shushes me, standing up while pocketing his cell. “Keep it down.” He grabs my arm and yanks me down an aisle where we’re alone. “What are you doing? Don’t you have class right now?”

“Why are you ignoring me?” I demand.

“I’m busy, Blakely,” he growls, stepping away from me.

“Not too busy to talk to someone else apparently,” I hiss.

“I’m not doing this right now.” He runs his hands through his dark hair. “I don’t have the time …”

I grab his arm, but he just shoves me off. “Why can’t you choose me?”

He glares down at me, his jaw hardening, and steps into me, pressing my back into the bookshelves. “What did you just ask me?”

I swallow and place my hands on his chest, trying to push him back a step. Matt is a big guy. He lives to work out. His physical appearance is very important to him. He played football all through high school. I’m too weak and small to even make him budge. “Why can’t you choose me?” I ask, softening my voice. “What does that even mean?”

“I’m only going to say this once,” he growls, stepping even closer. Placing both hands out on the bookshelf behind me, he cages me in. “Drop this. Right now. It does not concern you.”

Why is he avoiding this? How bad can it be? “But Ryat …”

“I don’t give a fuck what that piece of shit says, Blakely. Stay the fuck away from him. Stay away from the house of Lords.” He pushes off the bookshelf, stepping back. “And go to fucking class.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

RYAT

JUNIOR YEAR AT BARRINGTON UNIVERSITY

I SIT IN the chair with Matt to my right. We haven’t spoken one word to each other since last night in Chicago. We were given one hit and ended up killing his wife as well.

The door opens, and I sit up straighter.

“What the fuck happened?” Lincoln demands.

“The job was completed,” Matt snaps, immediately going into defensive mode just like he did with me at the house last night.

The moment we made the call that we finished the job, we were on a private jet and brought back to Pennsylvania to the house of Lords and escorted to this room where they’ve made us wait. Which is never good. I’ve seen men come in here and never walk out.

“You killed his wife,” Lincoln argues. “She was to stay alive. I don’t know how you see that as a job completed.”

Matt growls. “She got in the way.”

“Is that true, Ryat?” He looks at me. “She was a problem, standing in your way of completing your assignment, and you had to terminate her as well?” Arching a brow, he waits for my answer.