Jasper.
I answer, putting it to my ear.
A girl’s voice comes through. Shaky. Uncertain.
“Jasper? Jasper?” she calls out again, voice rising with panic. “Jasper, please!”
I hear the line click. Jasper dropped off, leaving me alone with whoever this is.
She realizes it a second later.
“Who am I talking to?” I ask.
“Hi, uh. I’m Lexi.”
I glance at my phone. A text from Jasper appears.
A photo. Brown hair. Brown eyes. Pretty in an unpolished way—no makeup, no filters, just raw.
Jasper:Lexi. 18 years old. West Pointe University. She’ll fuck you if you’re nice enough.
I type back immediately.
Revan:I don’t want your sloppy seconds.
Jasper:I meant if you’re useful enough to help her.
Jasper:I never fucked her. I’m too soft for a girl like her.
That gets a smile out of me.
Jasper is too soft for a girl like her? Nowthathas my attention.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?”
She takes a breath. I can hear it through the phone—shaky, like she’s trying to hold herself together.
“I made a deal with a monster, and I need protection.”
I laugh. Can’t help it. “A monster?”
“He’s the biggest dealer across three counties.” Her voice hardens, defensive. “He has connections, money, power. He’s—”
She pauses.
“My brother is wrapped up with him, so I got involved, and now I’m...” She exhales. “Fucked.”
“You’re fucked?” I echo. Then I glance at Jasper’s text again.She’ll fuck you if you’re useful enough.”So, this monster… he helped you, you fucked him, and now he wants seconds?”
The line goes silent.
Behind me, Brody punches the witness in the ribs. The guy gags, spits blood onto the concrete.
“Here’s what I’ll do for you, Lexi,” I say, voice smooth. “Where are you?”
“West Pointe.”
I click my tongue. “You’re on the wrong side of the tracks.”
