The lies we tell

THREE

Kinslee led me over to the large grey stone building that housed several lecture halls and classrooms. “There. Do you want to meet at the Student Union building for lunch?” She pointed across the campus, where beyond a grassy square, a long building with huge glass walls, stood.

“Sure. Twelve? If you get there first, save me a seat. I’ll do the same if I’m there first.”

“Sounds good to me.”

I smiled. “Brilliant. See you at lunch.” She turned in the opposite direction, and I headed into the building in front of me to find my lecture hall. I peered at my schedule, trying to work out where I was going.

“Lost?” The low drawl came from my right, and I spun around to see Cassius, one of the Four, leaning against the white painted wall, staring at me.

“Uh… I have to find the Brunswick lecture hall.”

“You’re in luck. I’m headed that way.” He grasped my arm firmly, tugging me along with him.

“Stop manhandling me,” I hissed.

“No can do. I’m under orders from King Caiden.” He laughed mockingly. Guess his boyish good looks hid a sadistic bastard. Great.

“You really call him King Caiden?”

“Nah. Just messing with you. But Caiden has decided you’re not to be trusted, and until he decides what to do, one of the Four will be keeping an eye on you as often as we’re able to.”

“You ca

“What exactly is it you think I’m going to do? And why are you listening to him, anyway? Don’t you have your own mind?” The last thing I needed was someone shadowing my every move. I needed to stay as inconspicuous as possible—to find answers for my dad without attracting unwanted attention.

Meeting his gaze, I stepped closer, gritting my teeth in irritation. “Listen to me. You can tell King Caiden that I don’t want, or need, a stalker. In fact, I’m pretty sure stalking is illegal. Not to mention, creepy as fuck.”

His eyes narrowed at me. “You’re new here, so I’ll let your comments slide. This time. But you need to get one thing through your pretty little head. At Alstone, our word is law. Do not attempt to defy us, or you will regret the day you ever set foot on this campus.”

I stared at him, my mouth opening and closing. What a sanctimonious prick! These boys had a serious case of self-entitlement.

“I don’t think it matters. Caiden already threatened me last night.”

The contempt in his gaze lessened as he frowned at me. “What?”

“Oh, didn’t Caiden tell you? We had a lovely di

“What?” Cassius’ frown deepened.

“He’d scratched the word ‘whore’ into my door. Nice and deep, too, so I can’t get it buffed out, or whatever the hell they do to remove scratches in the paintwork.”

“For fuck’s sake,” he murmured, almost to himself. “I wasn’t totally on board with his plan to begin—” He clamped his mouth shut, shaking his head.

Hmm. Interesting. Was he about to say something he shouldn’t have—something I could use to my advantage? Maybe the Four weren’t as close as my initial impressions had led me to believe.

“Come on. Let’s get to the lecture. We don’t want to be late.” He gripped my arm, more gently than before, and I sighed.

“I’m coming. There’s no need to hold on to me, you know. I’m quite capable of walking on my own.”

“Okay.” He dropped my arm, and I rubbed it.

“You do realise that’ll leave a bruise? You really need to be more careful.”

He stared at my arm, and, to my surprise, a remorseful expression crossed his face. “Sorry,” he muttered, leading me down a long corridor and pushing open a large door. “After you.”

We entered the lecture hall, which had tiered seating, the seats around two-thirds full. I climbed the stairs to the top, preferring to sit near the back. I slumped down into an empty seat, and Cassius swung his large body into the chair next to mine. The seats were close together, and he was huge. Our legs were touching, and I won’t lie, I kind of liked it. I mean, yeah, he was Caiden’s friend, and Caiden had decided to make me public enemy number one, but he was sexy. As were his asshole friends.

An idea hit me, and I chewed my lip, deep in thought. Maybe Caiden’s orders to keep an eye on me, despite being completely ridiculous, could work in my favour. Since it was clear that the Four were the kings of campus, it made sense that they would be the most likely to have information out of anyone at the university. And if they were insisting on shadowing me, maybe I could use that to my advantage. If I could get one of them to drop their guard, they might have answers for me. Something, anything, no matter how small, that could help me put the pieces of the puzzle together, to find out what had happened to my dad.

Mind made up, I studied Cassius, noting the way his shirt stretched across his muscles as he leaned back in his seat, raking his hand through his hair. Getting closer to him wouldn’t be a chore, at all.

“See something you like?” he smirked, noticing me checking him out.

“Maybe.”

“You’re easy on the eyes, too, sweetheart. Shame Caiden has decreed you off limits.”

What the fuck?

Oh, I said that aloud.

“Yeah. None of us are allowed to touch you.” He sighed sadly. “Such a waste.”

“But why?”

He shrugged. “You’ll have to speak to him about that.”

Like that would happen. “Right. I know he hates my mother, but I can’t work out why or what that has to do with me.”

“I know why he hates your mother, and I can understand why he hates you.” He thought for a moment, then added, “Kind of, anyway. It’s not my place to say. And if he wants me to stop being friendly around you, I’m afraid that I’ll have to comply. My boys come first, always.”

“Stop being friendly? I must have missed the part where you started being friendly with me.”

“I just complimented your looks, didn’t I?”

I huffed and turned away from him, busying myself with getting my laptop from my bag in preparation to take notes. I was already in a bad mood, and the morning had barely begun.

Cassius didn’t speak to me for the rest of the lecture, and I was glad of that. Somehow, I managed to concentrate on what the lecturer was saying. As soon as it was over, I shoved my laptop into my large messenger bag and stepped over Cassius’ legs, ready to hightail it out of there.

“Not so fast.” Rising out of his seat, he grabbed my arm and pulled me back against him. He held me in place, bending his head to speak into my ear. “Walk with me.” I shivered involuntarily at his proximity. It was nothing like the way my body had reacted to the asshole Caiden, but it still reacted. And he noticed.

“You smell good enough to eat.” He leaned even closer, trailing his nose down my cheek, and my breath hitched.

He suddenly released me without warning, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Caiden would kill me if I did anything with you.”

I stayed silent, my head spi