His hands are roughas theyhike up myskirt, withno pretence of gentleness, just raw need, as he wastes no time and shovesmypantiesaside It’sallkindsofwrong,thisguyIdon’tknow,inmydad’sbedroom,butfuckme,he’shot Darkhair, clearblueeyes,musclesfordays.Itfeelstotallyrightwhenheunzipshisblackcombatpantsanddragshiscockout,liftingme upsoIcansinkdownonhiscockwithoutasecondthought
He fucks me hard against the wardrobe; each slamof our bodies sends ripples through my blood that spikes quickly, quickerthananyfuckhasgivenmesinceIlostmyV-cardtwoyearsago.
Icanfeel everyinchofhis cock, fillingme up, stretchingme wide, and God, the heat We’re creatingour owninferno, burningawayanysemblanceoftheconfident,borderingonarrogant,mafiaprincess I’msupposedtobe.Rightnow,I’mjust Elizabeth“Eliza”Hughes,andhe’sjusttheguymakingmyheadspinfasterthananyalcoholevercould.
As he takes me to poundtownthatrocks myordered world, there’s no roomfor anymore thoughts, onlysensation, as he fucksmeharderanddeeperasmypussycoatshislengthwithjuice
“Harder,” I demand, and there’s a smirk on his lips as he complies, pounding into me with a ferocity that leaves me breathless,teeteringontheedgeofoblivion,onlyspurredonbythefactthatsinceImethimonthestairsanddraggedhimin heretofuckme,hehasn’tutteredasingleword.
He pulls out slowly, eyes narrowed as he groans softly, leavingme emptyand cravingmore of his cock Witha slow, sinister smile, he steps backand puts his cum-covered cockbackinhis pants and zips up, watchingme pantand struggle to catchmybreath.
Steppingoutoftheroom,thebuzzfromthegrandpartydownstairspullsatmysenseslikegravity.Irunmyhandsthrough myhair and descend the staircase, myheels clickingonthe marble stairs as Itake themslowly, myhand trailingdownthe walnutrail.
Thesightthatgreetsmeisoneofdecadencehereinmydad’smansion Mymumdiedfifteenyearsago,soit’sbeenmeand Dad for as longas Icanremember, rattlingaround this huge mansionlike the ghosts ofChristmas Past. MyDad has never movedonfrommum’sdeath.Alwaysalone.Although,I’msureheisn’t‘alwaysalone’ifyougetmydrift,butnowomanhas evermadeittobreakfastwithmeontheothersideofthetablethefollowingmorning.
Ipushopenthe heavyoakdoor withoutknocking a move thatcould getanyone else killed ona good day ButI’mnot anyoneelse,andthebloodinmyveinscommandsasmuchrespectasthemanstandinginthemiddleoftheoffice,histailored black suit impeccable even under the current circumstances. My father, with his cold blue eyes and iron grip on the underworld,doesn’tevenlookupasIenter
“Always be careful,Elizabeth Trustis a luxurywe can’tafford,” he says withoutemotion,onlyanother piece ofadvice fromthekingtohisheir.
“Always am,” I throw backover myshoulder as Iturnto leave, feelingthe weight of his gaze onme as I exit into the corridor.
Ashudder slowlycreeps over the backofmyneck. Does he know whatIwas doingbefore Icame here? Itgives me a massive ick, butitalso wouldn’tsurprise me Dad knows everything Butthat’s the game Usinghis roomto wrap mylegs around a total stranger while he railed me so hard, mybodyexploded inanorgasmaround his cock, creaminghimuntil he couldn’tholdonanylonger
Thememoryofherwrithingbetweenmeandthemirroredglassisasvividasthecrystalchandelierhangingoverhead The feelofhertightcuntaroundme,thewaysheclawedatmyback fuck,I’mhardagainjustthinkingaboutit.
Ididn’texpectit,butnowaywasItellinghernoonceshegrabbedmeandgaveme that look Heremeraldeyesheatedup asshetookinmybody,mytats,thescarundermyeye.Shewantedme,andI’vewantedherforalongtime.Shejustdoesn’t knowit Orme,forthatmatter
Minutes stretch like hours, but patience is a killer’s virtue. Eliza emerges a few moments later, her hot body lingering briefly in the doorway as she glances back The dead body in the middle of the floor, there for anyone to see, causes no hesitationinherstep,notremorinthosedelicatefingerswithsharpnailslikeclaws theHughesbloodlinedoesn’tflinchat death Elizaincluded
Herlaughfloatsbackasshestridesintothecrowd,lostmomentarilyinaseaoftailoredsuitsandsilkdressesasshemakes herwaythroughthelivingroom.Pushingofffromthecolumntofollowherbeforeheroldmancatchesuptome,IpauseasI recogniseasecond-yearstudentfromCastleUniversity,whereI’mathirdyear.Heiswithhismate,anuglyfuckwithawicked streak,butthereagain,wickedisrelative Hehasn’tcomeupagainstmybladeyet Theystrutafter her like theyownthe damnplace the mafia’s nextgenoffinestpricks, sons ofnobodies tryingto play somebody
“Staythefuckawayfromher,”Igrowl,steppingupbehindtheleaderofthetwoassholesandpressingmybladeagainsthis throat. His eyes go wide, probablysearchingfor Daddy, but evenhis father wouldn’t fuckingdare. The laughter dies inan instant,theairthickwithfear Ibreatheitinwithaslowsmile.
“Fair enough, butunderstand this: ifshe screams, youbleed” Mysenses are electric, and everymovementtheymake is amplified.Theseboysareoutoftheirleague,andiftheypushit,they’llfindoutjusthowoutmatchedtheyare.
Silence descends like a guillotine as Iwatchthem, their bravado crumblingunder the weightofmystare, the feel ofmy blade.The leader swallows nervously,andhis buddyshuffles uncomfortablyonhis feet.Once soobnoxious inthe nightair, their laughter is now a strangled memory Theyglance ateachother silentquestions passingbetweenthem, silentanswers urgingretreat.
Thenightgreetsmewithachillthatcutsthroughmytee awelcomerelieffromthewarmthinside Movingwithpurposetowardsmycar amidnightbluePorsche911thatgleamsunderthemoon,it’smorethanjustacar; it’s a statement, a beastofprecisionand speed thatknows no bounds Justlike Eliza Islide into the driver’s seat, and the engineroarstolifewithapurrthatpromisesescapeandadrenaline.
Twohourspeelawayasthecityisleftbehind,andthequainttownofCastleGate,wheretheUniversityissituated,swims into view The three-storey townhouse where we live, looms ahead, a modern fortress at the edge of Castle University’s campus.Ikilltheengineandstepout.
Ihitthefloor,palmsflat,bodytaut,andstartknockingoutpress-upswiththeprecisionofamachine.Witheachraiseand fall,a silentcountechoes inmyhead This bodyis myfortress,mytemple,myweapon sharpenedandreadyfor whatever shitstormiscomingourway.Witheveryflexandclenchofmuscle,theimageofElizaflashesbeforemyeyes hersharpwit, thosepiercinggreeneyesthatsawtoomuch,andthatdamntonguethatcouldcutyoutoribbonsorbringyoutoyourknees She’s under myskin, a constantitchIcan’tscratchaway. Butinthe game ofthrones we play, love isn’ta luxury it’s a liability
TWO DAYS aftertheone-nighterthathasleftmepantingatthethoughtofthatguy,myblackMercedesSLKpurrslikeapanther as I glide past the imposing iron gates of Castle University The prestige of the place screams elite Oxford was just the overture;nowcomesthecrescendo.
“Welcome toyour new huntingground,” Imurmur,pullingupcurbside togive ita rakingonce-over “You’re pretty,I’ll giveyouthat,butIwonderhowmuchmorebeautifulwecanmakeyoubathedinblood,hmm?”
Castle will forge you, Eliza. It’s time you stood among peers who understand the weight of empires on their shoulders. Well,Daddydearest,challengeaccepted
This is all partofthegame,andI’mfullyawarethatI’mgoingtohavetoearnmyplacehere.Well,takeitbyforceifit comesdowntothat WhichIassumeitwill Dadhaskeptallthisunderwraps,sendingmeinsteadtoOxfordformyfirsttwo yearsandthenthrowinginthedeependwiththegreatwhites.
Setting off again, I round the corner as the GPS instructs, and the townhouse where I’ve been boarded looms ahead, grandioseandunapologeticinitsluxury,justasI’musedto.ThisiswhereI’lllaymyheadandplotmymoves,surroundedby thosewhothinktheycandancewithdangeraswellasIdo.
Pulling up on the massive driveway, already filled with expensive machines, the Mercedes purrs to a stop. I lift my sunglasses ontothe topofmyheadandstare upatthe three-storybuilding Climbingout,Iyankmybags fromthe bootwith moreforcethannecessaryandstrideuptothetownhouse.
As Ipause inthe doorway, Iget the distinct impressionthat I’ve just walked into a denofwolves, eachloungingwith deceptivecasualness They’redangerous;it’sintheirblood Icantell thatjustbybreathingthesameairasthem Butit’sthe guynursingadaytimescotchthatgrabsmyattentionashereclinesinanoverstuffedarmchair. He’sacanvasofinkandthatdistinguishingscar,awalkingstoryofviolenceandvice,andIknowhim intimately Interesting. So not a lackey after all.
Carver. Fuck me again. Now it all makes sense why I’m here in this house. Ishould’veknown.TheCarversareoneofthe mostfearedfamiliesinourtwistedsociety,secondonlytomyown
Raphael gives me a cool stare, still devoid of any recognition It stings, an itch under my skin that says I should be remembered. Afew moments intime as hot as ours isn’t somethingthat usuallyslips a man’s mind. Unless you’re playing games
As theyoffer nods andmurmurs ofagreement,Iknow thegamehas alreadybegun.It’s adeadlyboardwe’replayingon, and I intend to checkmate themall Rising, I stalk over to pick up my bags, their gazes following my every move, some calculating,someintrigued.
Heleadsmetothesecondflooranddownthecorridorpastthreedoorsbeforehestopsoutsideaclosedoneandpushesit open Steppinginsidewithhimwatchingme,Itakeitin It’sspacious,withaking-sizedbedandwindowsthatofferaviewof the manicured campus. Tarquin leans against the doorframe, arms folded over his chest, those shrewd eyes tracing my movements
I’malone now, butnotfor long These guys, they’re all pieces onthe board, and Ineed to know everymove theymight make.Dad’sright thisyear’sthecrucible.It’saboutmorethangradesanddiplomas;it’saboutpowerplaysandsurvival. Iunzipmybag,myfingers brushingagainstcoldmetal thereassuringfeel ofthecompactpistol nestledamongsilkand lace.Agirl’sgottohavehersecrets,afterall.
Slingingmybagovermyshoulder,Iheadoutanddescendthestairsagain,eachstepmeasuredanddeliberate.Slippingout thedoor beforeanyonenotices meleave,Icross over theroadandstepontothecampus Theuniversitylooms beforeme,a fortress ofknowledge andsecrets.The oldbuildings standproud,their spires piercingthe sky a playgroundfor those who daretorule.Whispersclinglikeivytothewalls,andIcanonlywonderwhatthey’resaying.
MovingacrossthequadtofindmywaytotheStudentOfficeformytimetable,studentspartliketheRedSea,eyeswide, mouths agape. They’ve heard the stories, the legends of my family, of my dad, and now they see the embodiment of their wildestspeculations
I nod, accepting the unspoken challenge. Class timetables can wait. This is what I’m here for, not lectures on Shakespeareanplaysfromyore Besides,it’snotlikeIhaveachoice thegameisalreadyinmotion,andIeitherplayorget played.ButIdidn’tcomeheretobeapawn;Icametorule.
You’re a Hughes, Eliza Always be two steps ahead I close my eyes for a second, hearing my dad’s voice echo in my thoughts, letting the noise around me fade into the background Mybreathingsteadies,myheartrateslowingdowntoapredator’scalmrhythm EachskillI’vemastered,every scarI’veearned,hasledmetothismoment.Thefights,thestrategy,theartofdeception I’velearnedfromthebest. Andtheyfuckingknowit.
Witha determined stride, Ifollow them, and itappears we are headingtowards the old librarybuilding, the site ofmy impendingtrialbyfire
Slipping through the ancient doors, the scent of mildew and dust assaults my nostrils, but I ignore it, stepping into the bowelsofCastleUniversity’soldlibrary.Itsemptinessisamawofdepressingsights,itsformergrandeurlosttotime.Butit’s theheartoftheundergroundchallenge ariteofpassagewhisperedaboutinhushedtonesamongthestudentmafia
“Welcome to the gauntlet, Eliza Hughes,” a voice echoes through the gloomy building. No face accompanies it, just a disembodiedtauntbouncingoffthestonewalls
Theorderisaccompaniedbyaflashinglightofftotheside.Pushingopenthecreakydoor,ItakethedarkstepsasIwould if there was light Confident and arrogant If I fall on my ass, well, I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it These next-gen studentscansmellbloodinthewater,andIwon’tbetheprey.
Theannouncementisabrupt,joltingmeintoactionforatestofwhichIhavezerocluewhatI’msupposedtobedoing But myinstinctdrivesmetodropmybagandmoveforward,andIsoonfallintoitasI’mledwheretheywanttogobyintermittent lightsflashingliketheydidabovethedoorthatleddownhere
ThecoldairofthebasementbitesatmyskinasIdartaroundacornertofacethefirstobstacle.It’sawall amassiveone, slickwithmoisturethatseepsfromtheoldstones.Isizeitupinaheartbeat,notingtheoldropethatoffersatreacherousgrip and the uneven bricks that beg to be foot and handholds My muscles coil like springs, and I leap, catching the edge of a protrudingstonewiththetipsofmyfingers.
“Come on, Eliza,” Ihiss throughclenched teeth, hoistingmyselfup The slimyrope slips inmygrasp, butIdon’tfall I neverfall.DadwouldhavemyhidetowearasacloakifIdid.Up,up,mymusclesstrainingasIhaulassoverthetop.Iland ontheothersidewithcat-likegrace,barelyasoundasmybootshittheground,andIlandinacrouchassomethinggoesflying overmyheadwheremyfacewould’vebeenhadInotducked.
“Tooeasy,”Ipantwithagrin.
“Nice jump,” someone sneers frombehind me. Iglance backto see a lankybloke witheyes thatgleamtoo muchlike a snake’sformyliking.“Watchandlearn,sweetheart,”hesays,butI’malreadygone,leavinghimtoeatmydust.
“LookslikeHugheshassetthestandard,”someonecallsout,andamurmurripplesthroughthecrowdofwatchersasIburst into a brightly lit roomset up like a bar with TVs watching the moves of everyone going through the test Regaining my composurequicklyandsweepingmyhairovermyshoulder,Ipressmylipstogether.
Iglance over to the bar briefly, catchingsightofRaphael and James leaningforward, their expressions unreadable. Are theyimpressed?Intimidated?Ican’ttell,andfrankly,Idon’tgiveafuck.Letthembrood.I’mnotherefortheirapproval;I’m heretoconquer
As I weave through the tables, leaving whispers and awed looks in my wake, I know this isn’t the end, but only the beginning I’veearnedmyplacetofightforthethrone,notthethroneitself Bigdifference.
He rallies quickly, as expected His eyes roamover mydirt-streaked face and sweat-dampened clothes “You’ve made quitetheimpressionthismorning.”
“Alwaysdo”
“Which is why you’ve been invited,” he continues, ignoring me, and hands me a black envelope with a gold seal. It’s unspoken,butwebothknowwhatitis aninvitetoanaffairwhereonlytheeliterubshoulders “Tonight,”headds “Don’tbe late.”
WhenIturnbackaroundtofindmywayoutofthis roomandbacktomybag,Icomeupshortas James is standingright behindme,havingsomehowsnuckuponmewhileIwastalkingtoDavid Goingtohavetowatchforthat “Youdidgood,”hemurmurs,holdingoutmybag.
Eyeingitup suspiciously, itappears as Ileftit, butifhe wentrootingthroughit, he would onlyhave found a few loose tampons,mypurseandbasichandbagjunkthateverywomantendstocarryaround.
He’sleaningagainstawall,abottleofbeerinhishand,lookingasgorgeousashedidonourveryfirstencounter.Iflash back momentarily, tipsy and horny. It’s a dangerous combination when hot guys are lurking around the upper floor of your home.GuessIknowwhathewasdoingtherenow.Hewaswaitingformydad.Oureyeslockforafractionofasecond,andI waitfor thatflicker ofrecognition, butthere’s nothing. He either has anepic poker face, or he is the biggestdouche onthe planet Eitherway,itdoesn’tstopmefromenjoyingtheview,butitirksmemorethanIwanttoadmit
“Congrats, Eliza,” Raphael finallysays, saunteringover and raisinghis bottle ina toast before turningawayto engage someoneelseinconversation
Givingthemall a lookofdistaste, Iturnonmyheel and head out, knowingI’ll be called a stuck-up bitchor something equallyashateful,butI’mnotafaker.Notwhenitdoesn’tsuitme,anyway,andthissituationdoesn’tcallforit.
Hiseyeshoodashetugsgently,aslow,sinistersmilecurvinguphistoo-fulllips He’snotgood-lookinginthesensethat he’s hot, but he’s got charisma comingout of his ass and that whole danger thinggoingon. Too bad, I like myguys rough, gorgeousandsavage.Davidstrikesmeasthetypewhowouldletothersdohisdirtywork.Notmykindofguyatall. WhenIfailtoreact,hetugsharder,hiseyesalmostgleamingashethinkshehassomecontroloverme Hardno.
“Touchme againwithout myconsent, and Iwill gut you,” Isaypleasantly, ignoringthe stingonmyscalp Prettysure I managedtopulloutaclumpofmyownhairwhileIwasprovingapoint toughshit.
Inpurelow-classfashion,whichshowshimforwhoheis,hespitsatmyfeet He’sluckyitdidn’thitmyshoes He’seven luckier he didn’t aim for my face. My hand itches to reach for my knife, but it’s overkill. He’s strolling away with his followers,whohaveprobablylostmorethanabitofrespectforhimnow “Youdon’twastetimemakingfriends,doyou?”Jamesmurmurs,tiltinghisheadatmelikeaninquisitivepuppyashesizes meup.
Takenabackfor a microsecond at the nickname, I laugh, a thrill shootingover myskin “I’ll take that and wear it with honour.Butasforyourquestion,Iguesswe’llfindout.”
Westepintothetownhouseandheadstraightforthelivingroom,whereOliverpullsabottleofwhiskeyfromthecabinet with an ease that speaks of habit. At the same time, James gathers glasses, clinking themonto the coffee table as if he’s preparingforatoasttoourcollectivedamnation.
Once I reachthe sanctuaryof myroom, the clickof the lockbehind me is a definitive sound of seclusion. I leanback againstthedoor,suckinginadeepbreath Thesilenceisdeafening
“Fuck!”IcryoutsoftlyasIedgemyselfagain,needingthissweettorture,cravingthedrawn-outorgasmthatIknow will scratchtheitchfornow.
TARQUIN
ELECTRICITY SIZZLES THROUGH MY VEINS,thekindthatonlycomesfromdoingsomethingyouknowyoushouldn’t.I’mleaning backagainstthehardwoodoftheheadboardonmybed,laptopopen,theglowfromEliza’sbedroomfillingthedarkenedspace aroundme.Myeyesarelockedonthescreenwhereshe’ssprawledacrosshersheets,avisionofforbiddendesire.
“Fuck,” Iwhisper to the silence, a voyeur to her self-pleasure The sightofher, all softskinand sharp moans, is more intoxicatingthanfeelingbloodcoatmyhandsafteranall-outbrawlwherevictoryismine.I’munabletolookaway,captivated byherrawsensuality.
She’s untouchable, meantto be keptatarm’s lengthfor the sake ofanalliance as fragile as glass. Butshe is unravelling everythreadofcontrolIpossesswitheverythrustofherdelicatefingersinsideherprettylittlecunt
Every gasp and moan filters through the speakers, wrapping around me like velvet chains, pulling me deeper into her world Thesightofherbackarching,herbodybowingtothepleasureshegivesherself,ismorethanIcanbear “Fuck,” I hiss. It’s an exposed, almost feral reaction to the primal display on my screen. Her rhythm is erratic and unpredictable,yetIfindmyselfmatchingitstrokeforstroke,lostinherself-satisfactionasIcreatemyown.
Tonight was a revelation a glimpse of something pure and wild In her element, Eliza is a force of nature, and I am irrevocablydrawnto her. Whatever this is betweenus, it’s uncharted territory. I’mbothhunter and prey, captivated bythe game,whichisfarfromover,andI’malreadyitchingformynextfixofEliza’sintoxicatingbrandofchaos
The door opens andIquicklythrow the sheets over mylapas Raphael leans onthe doorframe.“Youfuckedoffquickly. What’sup?”
Our gaze holds,andit’s like beingstruckbylightning.Untouchable or not,she is mine,andIwanttopinher tothe wall whileIfuckhersenseless,lettingherknowthatshecanneverescapeme Slowly,sheturnsaway,crushingmysoulwithheractions.“Night,Tarq.”
HIDDEN BY A BUSH,asIdoabitofsnoopingthefollowingday,Iwatchandlearn.Despitemysuccessatthelame-asstrialand myfamilynamebearingdownonme,I’mstilltheoutsider Theunderdogwithzerofriends,onlyenemiesandtheguysIlive with,whosestatusesarestill undetermined.Acoupledriftsby,lookingdodgyandsecretive,soIleanincloser,ignoringthe scratchofathornagainstmycheek
KnowingI have myworkcut out for me to uncover this secret meeting, I slinkthroughthe bustlingcorridors of Castle University,eachstepcalculated,blendingintothehumofstudentchatter.Theairisthickwithsecrets,ripefortheplucking I’montheprowl,readytosinkmyteethintoeverywhisperedwordthatfloatsmyway “Eliza,hey!”
Her eyes dartaround, ensuringour privacy, as she indicates Ifollow her backoutside. “Iwas impressed withyour shit yesterday.Ihadassumptions,wealldid,thatyou’dbesomeprettylittleflowerbankingonyournametogetahead.Sonotthe case Youkickedmajorbutt Noonehaseverrunthegauntletinthetimeyoudid” “FunnyhoweveryoneheardIwascominganddidn’tdoanyresearchonme,”Imutter.
“Totally.Hethinkshe’sabigshot,butweallknowhe’snomatchforTheKings.He’sawannabe,nothingmore.” The Kings I’mguessingthat’smyguys.OrtheguysIlivewith,rather. “Hmm”
She inches closer, her following words low and urgent “There’s a power shift coming Some families are getting too comfortable,andothersareplanningmoves.”
“Moves?Whatkindofmoves?”Iprod,intrigued “Big ones. Alliances are shifting, and some reckon you and those hotties you’re shacking up with might be in for a surprise.”Hergazelocksontomine,seriousasaheartattack.“Midnight,theNorthCastle.”
“Is thatso?” Myvoice is steady, butmymind races This is more thanjustidle gossip it’s the currencyofour world “Thanksforthetip-off.”
“Yeah,” Imurmur as she nods and hurries off. The cautious partofme screams atme thatthis is a set-up and thatshe’s baitingme,buttheotherpart,thepartthatisalwaysonestepahead,tellsmesheisinthiswithmetowin.She’snotdumb.She knowsI’vegotwhatittakestorulethisUniversity,andshewantsin However,Dadalwaysdrummeditintomethatthoseyou consider friends are ina prime positionto stab youinthe back, so I’ll head to the NorthCastle atmidnight, butIwon’tbe goingalone
Movingthroughcampuslikeawraith,Ikeepmyearsopen,gleaningsnippetsofconversation eachoneafragmentofthe larger puzzle thatis Castle University’s secretsociety. It’s a tangled web, and I’mthe spider expertlynavigatingits threads evenasIkeeponeearonmyclasses,oneislisteningtothechatterandhushedconversationsallaroundme.
“Guessyou’llhavetofigureitout,won’tyou?”heteases,turningtoleave.“Butwatchyourback,Eliza.Noteveryone’sas charmedbyyouasIam”HesauntersawayasIfollowhimwithnarrowedeyes Itappearslittlealliancesareforming There arethosewhowanttobemyfriendandthosewhodefinitelydon’t.
