“Camden?” I say as I slowly back away, opening the door. When I know his wild and scared eyes are fully on mine, I nod, a grin curling on my lip. “Good boy. Keep your eyes on me.” I chuckle. “Stay with me, little rabbit. If you run, I’ll chase you. Is that understood?”
I wait, watching him struggle, different conflicting emotions passing over his features as he realizes that I’m deadly serious. He’s having trouble breathing, panicking before my eyes.
“I don’t understand. Why me? Why are you so dead set on me?” he cries out in frustration and embarrassment.
“Because you made yourself interesting,” I say, cocking my head to the side. “And I sure do love a good mystery.” My lips form a cruel smile before walking out and leaving him shaking in the closet.
Yeah, this year is going to be absolutely fantastic.
HENLEY
I’m currently home, creating a flyer for the club my pack and I own. Our dads know we want to be independent, and that it doesn’t affect our loyalty to the crew. Cash flow means being able to do whatever is necessary without having to ask for permission, or needing to wait for the funds.
Waiting could cause potential issues with keeping both my pack and crew safe, and that’s simply unacceptable.
Twisting my lips in criticism, I gaze down at the flyer. It states that there are openings at our club for bartenders, bouncers, and more. It’s true, we’ve been meaning to expand our personnel as the club has been getting busier, and this is a good reason to do it.
The idea of having the little beta under our thumbs is attractive, and I have few morals when it comes to securing a liability. I want him to be afraid of us, jump at the shadows, while also being completely in debt to my pack. The twisted web will curl around Camden tighter and tighter in such a way that he doesn’t realize it until it’s too late. From cradling to strangulation in the blink of an eye.
Right now, he thinks staying on the outskirts is safe. Time to smoke him out where we can watch his every move. I’m unhappy with how little I still know about him.
Shoving away from the desk in my control room, I pick up the flyer and stand to leave. His newly printed photo is up on my wall again, and I lean over it to admire the perfectly formed edges. I need order in my life, and Camden Parker is a very disorderly distraction.
That’s truly where my obsession is gaining fuel from now. Nothing about him makes sense. His record and history is too clean, no one is that above board. Everyone gets into trouble at some point, but instead, Camden is too perfect for how nervous he is whenever he sees us.
There’s suspicion that swims in his gaze whenever he sees me, whether it’s in the library or the Student Union. I make sure he doesn’t catch too many glimpses of me, because I don’t want him to know how often I find myself watching him. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite things to do.
I’m very good at sitting back in the shadows, working on a project, looking as if I should be there. Or, I’ll simply watch him where I know he can’t see me. Either way, I love the way my heart pounds in excitement as I pick up his little habits.
Like the way Camden plays with his hair when he’s worried or anxious. He also tends to mutter to himself when he’s thinking too loudly, and he dislikes large crowds. A part of me wonders if that’s why he hasn’t been to any more parties. Maybe the party at our house was a one off. Did Jamie drag him to it, is that why he went?
This is the only time I’d even think to thank that miserable man. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have this delicious new toy to play with.
If I didn’t hate the fucker, I’d send him a thank you card or a gift basket.
Smirking, I tap on the photo pinned perfectly to my board, turning away to head out. I have my laptop bag to work on things, because I’m definitely going to want to watch him take the bait. Camden walks past the Student Union after dinner on the way back to his dorm, so if I leave now I’ll be able to find an alcove to work from. Stalking requires multitasking when you’re as busy as I am.
Pushing open the hidden door, I walk boldly out, knowing no one is home right now. We only open our home to select people, and only when we’re all aware of it. Typically, the football team will come over after a big game to celebrate. While Brooks enjoys messing with the freshman on the team, he occasionally enjoys the camaraderie of the only people who understand what it’s like to live on the adrenaline of a high stakes game.
To stay at the top, he has to play the social aspect of that as well.
I understand it, though. It’s why I’m in so many student clubs. The gossip lays thick here, if I’m honest. Knowing who is doing what allows me to know who is a danger or a threat. I never want to be caught in a web I haven’t created. I’ve scrubbed people off the board for less than not being able to figure out what makes them tick.
I want to possess and control Camden now, which changes my own rules. Patience is going to help me find my answers, but even that only goes so far. Therefore, tonight is about helping things along.
The sun has set by the time I start walking across campus. I live just far enough to have some peace, but not far enough that I can’t get where I need to by foot. Parking on campus sucks, and I don’t have time to deal with people who can’t drive. It’s safer for this town if I walk to campus and the surrounding areas.
Brooks is usually the one who drives when it’s necessary. He has this innate ability to get people to move out of his way when he’s driving. We tease him about it often, but it’s a useful skill when in a car with people who hate people.
I’m sure my father appreciates the lower body count because of it.
The Student Union looms in the shadows cast by its bright lights, a beacon in a sea of night. Taking the steps two at a time, my head moves on a swivel as I make sure I’ve beaten Camden here. Without a tracker, there are a lot of variables that could have happened.
He could have gotten out of his last class early or decided to skip dinner, something that I’ve seen him choose to do. Forcing air into my lungs, I remind myself that just because he may not see it tonight, doesn’t mean he won’t eventually. All I can do is set the bait and wait.
The reminder has me setting my shoulders back and nodding to the student who opens the door for me. She gazes up in awe and fear, and I soften my features to smile at her. I’m capable of giving and taking away my favor, and this girl hasn’t done anything to piss me off. I think she’s actually a sophomore getting a psychology degree. I only know that because her brother once bumped into me in a hallway and didn’t apologize.
So I took immense pleasure in screwing with his grades.
