Emma Harper has been a thorn in my side since senior year began, but it seems she has the same annoying effect on Colt. Not one to ever look a gift horse in the mouth, I decided to include the professor in my scheme. I wasn’t planning on messing with her since all her efforts regarding Stone Bennett went nowhere, but making room in my plan for the prestigious professor just feels right to me.
Fated even.
Almost as if the universe agrees that I shouldn’t let her off the hook for her meddling. Putting Emma Harper in Colt’s path won’t be difficult. In fact, it will be all too enjoyable for me to watch them butt heads while the true nature of my game begins to unfold.
Ironic how in a room destined for us to learn about ethics, I’m about to make sure they both lose theirs.
Evil men reap what they sow, Colt.
And your day of reckoning has finally arrived.
Chapter 1
Colt
Halloween night – one month ago
I keep my steps silent, my eyes glued to the nape of her neck as Kennedy slowly walks further down the dark corridor. She’s so consumed in her task, she completely forgets to check her flank, letting me follow her every step while being none the wiser of my presence.
What are you up to, Ken?
Making sure I always keep a good safe distance between us, I continue to lurk behind one of my dearest friends, wondering what the hell she’s up to now. Because in all the years I’ve known her, Kennedy Ryland is always up to something. My forehead crinkles in curiosity as she continues on with her pursuit in a Kill Bill jumpsuit no less. All that is missing from her costume is a samurai sword, and I wouldn’t put it past her if she has one hidden away somewhere. Good thing she’s unarmed, because hell has no fury than a pissed off Ken. And by the way I can hear her grind her teeth, she’s definitely fuming with rage. Whatever she came back here to find has slipped through her grasp.
No, not something—more like someone.
When Ken finally reaches the servant’s quarters at the back of the house, and sees that no one is there, she throws her arms up in the air with a disgruntled huff, kicking the wall for good measure.
“Shit!” she mumbles, aggravated.
Whatever she was up to, it’s obvious she failed miserably at it and Ken hates losing. She always has. Seeing as she’s about to turn around and head back to the party, I can’t pass up the opportunity to confront her here, where she’s alone and less likely to be able to dodge my questions. I grab her by the waist and clasp my hand over her mouth, stifling the little shriek she lets out.
“Boo,” I whisper teasingly in her ear.
She elbows me hard in the gut, resulting in her release, as I chuckle with her knee jerk reaction of hitting first and asking questions second.
“Damn you, Colt! You almost gave me a heart attack.”
I can’t help but continue laughing at the deep-rooted scowl she’s trying to level me with.
“It looked like you were about to have a coronary long before I came along. Just what are you doing back here all by your lonesome?” I cock a mocking brow.
“What are you talking about? I was just checking if all the rooms had enough beverages. Linc did appoint me as this party’s hostess, right? I’m just doing my part, that’s all. Geez, paranoid much?” she retorts, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Sure you were.” I chuckle, closing the small gap between us, my fixed gaze never leaving her annoyed blue eyes.
But for every step I take in Kennedy’s direction, she takes two steps backward, until finally her back is flush up against the wall.
“Where’s your fiancé?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him yet.” She shrugs feigning boredom.
“You don’t look like you’re too bothered that he hasn’t shown up to your party.”
“It’s not my party. It’s Lincoln’s.”
“We both know it’s your party, Ken. Everyone does. That’s why people came.”
She mauls her lower lip, not happy with my observation. Truth is that ever since Aunt Sierra and Uncle Crawford died so abruptly last spring, no one is in a rush to get chummy with my cousin. Unless of course he’s writing them a big fat check, then everyone can’t get enough of Asheville’s golden boy.
Fucking leeches.
“You didn’t answer my question. You don’t look like you care if your fiancé comes to