Page 34 of Racing Hearts

“My uncle is the CEO of some big trading company. I’ll call in a favor and get you one,” Ollie replies.

“Awesome, so that’s taken care of. Anything else?” she calls. “Anyone have any worries or need help with anything?” Her gaze lands on me. “Evan, we heard you’ve had issues with some guy . . . Anders, was it?”

My eyes widen at that. Shit, how do they know? Just how closely do they pay attention to our lives? “Uh, nothing I can’t handle.”

“Are you sure? We could take care of it for you. I didn’t look into him, but we could take his job.”

“Get him kicked out of his apartment,” someone suggests.

“Get him expelled if he’s a student,” another adds.

“Oh, um, no, no, it’s fine. We are . . . friends. Just been in a fight,” I offer protectively. I don’t want them to touch Alek. The fact that they are so easily talking about destroying his life pisses me off. I know it’s to help me, but he worked so hard to get where he is, yet they are talking about ruining it all.

“Okay, let us know if you need any help. That’s what we are here for.”

I nod, sinking into my seat. They are just trying to be nice. It isn’t their fault they don’t know about him and me—whatever the hell there is to know. I’ll just need to be careful and make sure they don’t go after him.

“Alright, now that shit is out of the way, let’s get drunk and play some games!” Music blares as they jump up. Some head to the pool table, and others hurry over to the drinks, laughing and joking as I sit there.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

Honestly, it’s kind of fun. No one treats me strangely, and they all accept me. We drink and play games, and I start to relax. It feels more like a club than a society, but then I remember their earlier offer. They could easily manipulate people’s lives to get what they want. They are dangerous, that’s for sure, but it seems like once you are in, you are in. I’m one of them just like that.

Collapsing into the sofa, I sip my drink as I watch them dance and laugh loudly. It isn’t even a bad thing. It’s kind of nice to have a place to go and a family who accepts me. Isn’t that what I’ve always wanted?

Bones collapses next to me, his face flushed and grin wide for once. “So are you enjoying being one of us elite bastards?”

My eyebrows rise at that. I never quite know how to take him. They say he’s a brutal bastard, but he seems nice enough to those he likes. “It’s different. Not what I was expecting.”

“You were thinking we wore cloaks and wanted to take over the world?” He smirks, taking a sip. “That’s every other month.”

I can’t help but laugh, and he leans in. “You can relax, Shaw. We know everything about you. There’s nothing that would turn us off.” My eyes widen, and he nods. “It’s my job to find out every dark, dirty secret for those we might add—yours included. We know it all.”

“That seems unfair,” I snap out of anger and concern.

“True, but we keep folders, and you are welcome to read ours as well. Fair is fair. I just thought you should know. You’re one of us. They keep saying it, but it’s true. We accept you for everything you are and have been, so stop worrying. You don’t need to pretend.”

I didn’t even know I was, but somehow, this guy knew.

“Oh, and with that Anders guy . . . we mean it. We can help, but don’t worry. We won’t if you don’t want us to.” He grins slyly. “I’d love to take him down a peg.”

“I can handle him.”

He smirks and presses his beer to mine. “To handling assholes.”

I toast him and take a drink. “Is that why you want to be a lawyer?” I ask.

“Partly.” He shrugs. “I like the control and power, plus it means I know how to get away with things and can protect the people I love.” He stands. “You can leave whenever. You look tired. We’ve added you to the group chat, so just drop us a message if you need anything.” He wanders away, and I look around to see some people have already left.

I want to stay, but he’s right. I’m tired. I down my beer and wave goodbye, heading out alone. The brass key burns in my pocket, and his words ring in my head.

What did he mean, get away with things?

Once outside the marble building, I wander back over the grass, trying to remember my way. Eventually, I reach the lit part of campus. It’s late or early, depending on how you look at it, but there are still some people around. I could get a taxi, but I decide to walk home. The fresh air is nice, and the alcohol is still buzzing in my veins, but about halfway back, I feel eyes on me.

I speed up my steps, feeling like I’m being stalked or chased.

It’s uncomfortable, and when I’m back in my room, I lock the door with a frown.