Page 63 of Play The Game

Ms. Vivienne just smiles at me, the same shade of red on her lips that Avery wears but somehow making it look trashy. “Becoming a teacher didn’t make me immune to the charms of the younger males. He’s of legal age, so it’s only the school ethics code that could pose a problem. I doubt a young man like him would care about that but even if he did, he’s only a few months away from graduating. I’m not usually one to wait but for someone like that… well, I’m not so eager to brush aside the attraction we both share.”

She turns away from me to stare over at him as I shake my head at the crazy that’s spewing out of her mouth right now. I hate her eyes on him, hate that I can’t stop her from looking at him, hate that I feel this way to begin with, but her staring isn’t harmless; it’s an assault. The burning in my gut isn’t a jealous reaction, but that same protective urge I have when someone is threatening any of my family.

Harley glances up at me right as I turn to watch him and he frowns when he sees the cougar bitch sitting next to me. I give him a sarcastic little wave, then point at the pocket my other hand is tucked in, clutching my knife. He smirks at me, blowing me a kiss, and ignoring his coach berating him for being distracted.

“Boys that look like him, they turn into men that won’t settle for little girls like you. He needs someone with more experience, someone who’s more worldly. I heard you let him and his friends take turns with you but he’s not going to share you forever.”

Huh.

No matter how shit she’s phrased it, she’s still just voiced my biggest fear about our relationship, and yet the moment the words leave her mouth, I know exactly how wrong she is. It’s not a passing phase, no one was coerced into this, and, if anything, we all respect each other more now than ever. We’re damaged, we’re broken, we’re desperate, but we’re together and we’re a family.

There was no jealousy or hesitation in Harley when he found Ash in my bed, only concern for what drove him there. Blaise only gets pissy about being left out of the group… activities, never about the actual sharing. And Ash… Ash wants me safe and happy.

This bitch wouldn’t know a fucking thing about what Harley needs, but I do.

“Keep pushing him, Ms. Turner. You’ll learn that he’s nothing like the pretty little boys you’re used to playing with, and I am nothing like the girls you’ve threatened away before.”

Ms. Vivienne’s spine snaps ramrod straight and the smile on her face now has a viciously sharp edge. “I was told you’re a brilliant student, that your IQ is at genius levels, and yet you can’t identify when you’re outplayed.”

“If I’m such a genius, why am I not a part of your study group? Why isn’t Ash? He’s just as smart as Harley. You’re a sexual predator and you belong behind bars. If you had any sort of intellect you’d leave Harley alone, because the path you’re on leads to a six-foot deep hole.”

She blinks at me, then turns on me with vicious intent only to falter as Blaise says, “There you are, Star. I’ve been summoned to rescue you from the cougar. Harley’s afraid you’ll catch the clap from sitting too close to her.”

His shadow hits me as I look up at his smirking face, every inch the spoiled rock god of my dreams in his leather jacket and ripped jeans. He winks at me playfully when he catches me giving him a lusty once-over. I might be horny, sue me.

The look on Ms. Vivienne’s face… fucking priceless.

“How dare you speak to me like that!”

I scoff at her. I could’ve warned her about Morrison’s poison tongue but, y’know, fuck her.

He stares down at her. “Like what? You’re a desperate, panting whore who can’t accept that you’re over the hill so you fuck teenage boys to get validation. I’ll speak to you however the fuck I want.”

She turns beet-red with outrage and I chuckle under my breath, stashing my books away. I don’t need rescuing, but it’s nice to experience Blaise destroying someone who’s not me for once.

“Yes, I know, you’re going to call my parents and go to the principal. Problem is, my parents don’t give a fuck and Trevelen is under Beaumont’s thumb so… maybe you should chase after someone else’s cock and leave Arbour’s alone. Also, if I ever see you so much as side-eye Star again, I’ll personally destroy you. Are you aware that my aunt is on the school board? Shriveled old hag, but she has a soft spot for me. How badly do you need this job? I think I’ll start by taking it from you and working my way up from there.”

Blaise’s face only gets more vicious as the stunned silence drags out from the cougar, and he holds a hand out to help me up. “Avery’s waiting to have dinner with us in the dining hall before her ballet class. We shouldn’t keep her waiting.”

I tuck myself under his arm and don’t spare the whore a backward glance.

My phone wakes me the next morning, ringing insistently, but when I finally dig it out from underneath my pillows I don’t recognize the number. Avery frowns over at me from her bed, rumpled and clearly unhappy at the early wake up call, and I force my tone to be even and cold. “This had better be important.”

When I hear the Coyote’s voice, I straighten.

“I’m not a fan of early mornings either, Wolf, but this is an emergency. I have some information for you and a job. I’m willing to hand over a favor if you’re reluctant.”

I bite my lip as I sit up. “What’s the information?”

He huffs down the phone, but I wouldn’t say it’s a particularly joyful sound. “You’ve royally pissed off the Jackal and now he’s gone fucking insane. He’s hitting back at the members who took your side in the vote. He’s just popped by for a visit here, but he seems to have forgotten that I live in a bunker and it could survive an atomic bomb blast.”

I groan and rub my eyes, shaking my head at the frantic look Avery shoots me. “I apologize that my… issues are now affecting you.”

The Coyote laughs at me, still no joy to be found. “I don’t regret voting for you. He’ll have to try a bit fucking harder than this to push me into taking his side on anything. I’m just calling to let you know he’s on the fucking rampage and no one is safe.”

When it’s clear no one is dying, Avery gets up to make us both coffees and I switch the phone onto speaker so she can hear the conversation. “Right. Well, I appreciate the courtesy call. What’s the job?”

There’s a pause and then he murmurs, “You’re in love with that guy, right? The mobster’s kid. He’s worth all of this?”