Brutal Heir (Court University 1)

I wished we hadn’t.

I’d had my reservations about coming here tonight, for so many reasons and actually had felt ill on the way over. I had no intention of actually going into the property, being there where Bryce shot himself. I still remembered his face, all that blood, and Knight’s face in return. I’d never seen him scared before and hadn’t since, absolute terror in his eyes at what had happened in front of us both. He hadn’t had the look of a guilty man, only a part of that sole action being taken by another. He’d been shocked, fearful, which had been all the more reason I’d been confused why he’d taken me out of there. He clearly hadn’t wanted what Bryce had done to happen. But for whatever reason he was making himself guilty of something by pulling us away. It’d been wrong. It’d been weird.

I swallowed, starting to open my mouth and address his grandpa. I was going to reintroduce myself, share who I was with him since technically, we had known each other at one time.

“She’s no one, Grandfather.”

Right in the chest as he cut in front of me and then forgotten as he graced the steps, standing by his grandpa. He turned to me, basically sneering. “You know how these girls are.”

These… girls?

Another cut at me, another time in which he basically called me a slut and right in fr

ont of his grandpa.

My eyes watering, I backed off but not before his grandpa addressed me again, came down the steps to me. Knight stood in the distance this time, his eyes wide but incredibly cold.

His grandpa frowned. “You should probably be on your way, young lady. It’s very late.”

Very late indeed.

I choked down a lump again as he passed me, Knight not far behind. He grabbed my arm, his hold pinching me. “Get the fuck out of here before I make you.”

He let go as quickly as he grabbed, heading off behind his grandpa who had a waiting car outside. The engine ran, another man opening the door for him. My ride-share had left but I started to walk in the other direction. I’d find my way back home, damned if I made the same mistake of getting lost again.

Chapter Fourteen

Greer

A few short taps and my roommates appeared in my room. They looked amazing. Sophie with her hair all done up and dressed to the nines, and Keisha in a baby blue dress that highlighted the varied tones of her voluminous curls. The kicker had been Hales, her pink dress short, petite and making her look too cute. These girls were dressed for clubbing and not only that.

“We’re kidnapping you,” Haley said, then from behind her back she pulled out the most exquisite glistening dress. Powder white, the dress looked like literal sparkles and sequins and was short enough if I bent wrong I’d have a major vagina slip.

I frowned, shaking my head before going back to my books. “I need to study, sorry.”

Something they could take note of, and how the tides had turned. I hadn’t seen them all in days, a far cry different from the previous week. I only didn’t complain because that meant I hadn’t seen Knight and his crazier-than-fuck attitude since that day he’d kicked me off the frat’s property. I was completely over it, over him, and still hadn’t gotten my notebook back. I took a few notes on my phone from the nursing home so at least that’d been helping when I started my paper.

All three of the girls shimmied into my room, making me groan when they pulled me to my feet.

“This isn’t an option.” Hales framed my body with the dress. “We’re going to do your hair, then you’re going out. You’ve been studying way too much.”

Again how the tides had turned, my messy bun ripped down, then fluffed out. With a tug, they got my hoodie off, but when they went for my bed shorts, a now permanent fixture in my wardrobe as of late, I drew the line. I ripped the dress from Hales. “Thanks. I can dress myself.”

Snickering, they all shook me before I scooted them out of the room and took a look at this dress they’d managed to round up for me. Seriously, half the club would be looking at my goods tonight, but maybe that wouldn’t be a bad thing.

At least, Knight wouldn’t be there.

He wasn’t here now so they obviously hadn’t invited him and his crew to come along, and what if they were? I was a free woman and could do whatever the fuck I wanted. Especially when it came to him.

I took the moments to get dressed, taking extra care with my hair and make up before putting my best fuck-me pumps on, then scooted out the door with my friends. Hales was the only one of us who had brought a car to college, so we took it and headed downtown to the best underage club. They allowed all ages there, of course, but this was the best one we could get into and was where I’d actually met Bryce that night.

Swallowing at the memory of that, I opened my purse, swiping my lips with an extra coat of gloss before heading inside with my friends. Keisha got us right up to the bouncer and with a few words was able to get us in front of the line and right inside. She was good like that, despite being such a nerd like all my roommates were. She was a smart and beautiful nerd like the rest of them, all three of them easily getting what they wanted if they cared about such things. Funny enough, I wasn’t the one who fit in now, more so keeping to myself. A few evenings in with Knight and his lot and my friends were tossing all inhibition, being bold, and we were noticed the minute the strobe lights hit our eyes.

Guys circled us left and right, but we danced together, Hales tugging my hand while the others danced around and beside us. I was a bit stiff, but with some probing they got me to let go and laugh a little, tugging my arms and making me dance. Spinning, I danced around Sophie, grabbing Keisha in too, and it was so much fun to just let loose and be a freshman again. I’d started the year so carefree, so different now, and I hated that.

“Oh, gosh. It’s Knight!”

Absolute dread as Hales tugged my arm to face that direction, Knight and his crew in VIP. They all sat at a high-top table, gratefully across the room, with Knight in the center of the group. A king in his castle, Knight had a girl I recognized under his arm, Melrose he’d introduced to me that night at the frat.